New Bedford’s Roots and Branches Festival Is Back — and It Is 100% Free

The NB Roots and Branches Music Festival is celebrating its fourth year in Downtown New Bedford, with this year's event taking place on July 17 and 18.

Friday Night Kickoff and the Union Street Contradance

This year's event is 100 percent free and starts with a traditional Contradance on Friday, July 17, followed by a performance by The Groovalottos at the Lower Union Street Stage as part of New Bedford's Summer Sound Series.

12 Stages of Live Music and the Purchase Street Finale

The festival continues all day on Saturday, July 18, with music on 12 indoor and outdoor stages in the downtown, plus a sidewalk sale and a big finale starting at 6:30 p.m. at the air-conditioned Vault Performing Arts Center & Pub on Purchase Street.

Festival founder Jeff Angeley stopped by Townsquare Sunday to preview this year's two-day event.

Celebrating Local Musicians, Diverse Genres, and Cultural Roots

"Since the beginning, it's been a focus for us to feature local musicians and local establishments, and getting as many different groups of people who are making music in the area all together in one place for one big party of an event," he said.

"The festival is free for the public, but it's not free for us," Angeley said. "We pay all our performers, and we couldn't do it without grants [and] a long list of sponsors and donors who believe in this event."

NB Roots and Branches via Facebook

Angeley said traditional or folk music will always be a big part of the Roots and Branches Festival, but they also seek out as many different types of music as they can. "We have everything from the folk music that people expect, to rock and roll, jazz, Cape Verdean and Portuguese entertainment, experimental music and more," he said.

What Is a Contradance?

The Contradance on Friday may be a puzzle to some, but Angeley said it's like a square dance involving long lines or circles of people. "If you can walk, you can do a contra," he said.

The contradance begins Friday at 6 p.m. The music on Saturday starts at noon and runs until 8 p.m.

"I hope the festival gives people a really, really wonderful and fun day," Angeley said. "I hope it helps them discover the place they are in [New Bedford] is even more vibrant and richer than they ever realized."

If you would like your nonprofit group featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.