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02/03/2024

Review and Photos of First Night of Portland's Folk Festival...the Day Before the Storm

By BOB HOWARD//  ...and the show will go on! the Festival Dug out of the Storm and Returns with a Super Sunday Marathon -- 2 days in 1 -- This Sunday, February 4   

As the snow, wind, and ice barreling towards Portland, Portland's Folk Festival opened the first night of the festival with a hope and a prayer.  The opening night was a magical night of performances from the downbeat to the closing curtain, all, in the cozy warmth of the Crystal Ballroom.  Outside, swirling around the building, the storm intensified with unusually high winds and the City began to shut down.  When the audience was leaving for the night, they were greeted by a slick dusting of snow...With ice predicted to follow, the promoters made the difficult decision to cancel the rest of the shows scheduled for the weekend with no idea whether they could resuscitate the rest of the festival.

In spite of the weather, the first night was a joyful opening for the hardy souls who decided to take a chance on the weather.  They were not disappointed.  The stellar line-up, hosted by Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort (Fox & Bones), included Hayley Lynn, Liz and Pete, The Parnells, Brad Parsons, The Talbot Brothers, Goodnight Texas, and Thunderstorm Artis.

That first night of the festival was magically captured by 2024 CBA Muddy Award winning photographer Debra Penk. Enjoy the gallery.

In the wake of the storm, the show will go on this Sunday, February 4, from  2 pm to 11 pm.  Doors at the Crystal Ballroom open at 1pm.  Billed as Super Sunday, the organizers have smushed 2 days that were cancelled into a 1 day marathon, with all but a few of the cancelled acts returning for the Sunday's marathon.  An amazing recovery by any measure.  When asked how Sarah and Scott how they pulled it off, co-producer Scott Gilmore told us, "At the time, the storm sure felt overwhelming but, we kept the faith, and were always on the lookout silver linings...being able to test a double stage bill at Crystal was something we had been aiming towards and that came through! But for the grace of the gods, kharma, and the Crystal, we are so happy this all worked out and we are excited to see everyone back on Sunday!"

Find the line-up and tickets to Super Sunday on Portland's Folk Festival website.

Photo Credits to Debra Penk, award-winning photographer and 2024 Muddy Award for Excellence in Music Photography

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