The 2019 Kauai Folk Festival celebrates two days of folk music, dance, food, drink and craft, featuring multiple-Grammy-winning artists, and more than a dozen international acts on five stages.
Held at Grove Farm Museum in Lihue, the Kauai Folk Festival blends traditional music and dance from all over the world with its Hawaiian counterpart, and takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29, with continuous live music performed on multiple stages.
The lineup includes Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan and Tim O’Brien, Caleb Klauder, Reeb Willms, Austin Derryberry, and Jonny Fritz, local Hawaii players Puka Asing, Kirby Keough and Wally Rita and Los Kauaianos, along with an eclectic mix of acts like local blues legend Vic the Barber, African rhumba band Boma Bango, and French folk duo The Montvales.
“The striking similarities and historical connections that link Hawaiian music with traditional musics of the world have yet to be explored in full,” said Matt Morelock, festival director.
“We’ve assembled some of the greatest living traditional practitioners in one place to celebrate, dance, eat and drink together on the most beautiful island in the world. I can’t imagine a better party,” he said.
Workshops are a unique addition to the festival format. Performers will share in workshops on guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele and mandolin.
Dance instructors will teach hula, square dance, swing and two-step. Voice instructors will teach harmony singing, ballads and Hawaiian song. Jam stations and loaner instruments will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments.
Food and drink will be from Kauai Juice Co., Ya Quddus Bagels, Po‘okela Sausage, Uncle D’s Vegan BBQ, healthy foods, and a selection of booze and beverages from local brewers and distillers.
Tickets for the Kauai Folk Festival are on sale now at kauaifolk.com, available in daily passes for $60, weekend passes for $100, and VIP passes for $300 each, and offer full access to all stage performances, workshops and parking.
