The University of Chicago Folk Festival, an annual celebration of folk music, dance, and culture, has been a cherished campus tradition since 1961. Organized by the University of Chicago Folklore Society, a recognized student organization, the festival attracts performers and attendees from around the world.
Scroll down to learn more about some of the performers, and see some of the best photos from this year’s 64th annual show, which took place Feb. 9 and 10 in Mandel Hall.
Ruby John is an Odawa fiddler from Northern Michigan who performs a range of tunes from Old Time, Métis (French for “mixed”) and Canadian styles alongside guitarist John Warstler.
“I'm indigenous myself and Irish, so being a mix, that's where I found a connection,” she said. “I loved all styles of fiddle playing that I've been able to learn, and I feel like the instrument is so versatile.”
The festival has a stated goal of featuring music that was played in the pre-radio era, which John and Warstler said they greatly appreciate.
“It's so cool that this festival is on a college campus because it brings young people out to listen,” Warstler said. “A lot of this type of music that people pay to see up by [where we live], it's always older people—lots of grey hair in the crowd. So it's great to see all these young people.”
Ruby John’s favorite artist? “Probably my all-time fiddle hero is Pierre Schryer, who is a Canadian and Irish style fiddle player that I've looked up to my whole life,” she said.
The Price Sisters, consisting of Lauren Price-Napier, Leanna Price and their bandmates, brought their blend of traditional and eclectic bluegrass sound to the festival stage, drawing upon Old Time and classic country influences.
"It's nice to see that students our age—or younger than us, at this point—still love this stuff," Leanna Price said. “Even though a lot of this is older music, it's always relevant. That's fun.”
“What’s nice about this folk festival is that there are so many genres of music, but they all mesh so well because it comes from some sort of tradition,” added Lauren Price-Napier. "[Tradition] ties it all together and allows everybody to appreciate things from one act to the next, even if it's things you've never heard before.”
The Sisters have several favorite artists, including but not limited to: Bing Crosby, Johnnie Cash, Billie Holiday, the Andrews Sisters, Jimmie Rogers, Gillian Welch and Allison Krauss.
More photos from the Folk Festival: