New Music Fest Coming to New Bedford [TOWNSQUARE SUNDAY]

The New Bedford Folk Festival is done after a 25-year run, but now a group of local musicians have come together bring another summer music festival to Downtown New Bedford.

The first annual New Bedford Roots and Branches Fest will happen on Saturday, July 22 and will be 100 percent free. Musician Jeff Angeley of Mattapoisett visited Townsquare Sunday this week to talk about the festival and plans for the future.

Angeley said a total of 30 musical acts will perform at four indoor venues downtown and two outdoor stages inside Wing's Court. Performances will take place from noon to 6 p.m.

"The outdoor spaces will be for traditional music, from old time fiddle stuff like I do to sacred harp singing and perhaps sea shanties," Angeley said.

Also featured with be ethnic performers playing traditional Portuguese, Cape Verdean and perhaps Guatemalen music.

Indoor venues include the Pour Farm Tavern, Calico, Destination Soups, and one other still being negotiated. Indoor performances will feature acoustic singer-song writer performances, a string-quartet, an indie-folk group, a Cape Verdean jazz band and more.

"Our working model is to keep the festival so it represents who is in the city," Angeley said. "Our target audience is people who live here."

Angeley said the New Bedford Roots and Branches Fest has received strong support from organizations life New Bedford Creative and Downtown New Bedford Inc. He's hoping to expand the event next year by having musicians performing in many nearby businesses on the day of the festival.

The complete interview with New Bedford Roots and Branches Fest co-organizer Jeff Angeley can be heard here:

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