Grassroots!

It’s that time again. The Grassroots Festival starts Thursday in Trumansburg. I blogged about it last year, before and after, and can’t sum up my appreciation any better now. I was in Ithaca last week and as I drove back home past the festival site on Saturday it was exciting to see workers setting up the Infield Stage and the Dance Tent. Those unassuming little platforms will soon host a host of terrific musicians, including Bela Fleck (in a rare solo acoustic performance and also sitting in with an amazing singer from Mali named Oumou Sangare). Local favs Bobbie Henrie & the Goners and the Campbell Brothers will be there, and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings play on Friday night. Beyond that, the acts run the gamut from alt-country to zydeco and most everything in between. There’s bluegrass, conjunto, folk, reggae and even some Tuvan throat singing. In the midst of it all, I think I'm most looking forward to enjoying the cajun music of Walter Mouton, direct from Louisiana. Walter retired last year so the locals down south don't get to see him play anymore. But you can! Don't miss it!