The 66th annual Folk Festival returns to the University of Chicago campus this weekend, bringing with it a slate of concerts, workshops and impromptu jam sessions.
The festival runs Feb. 20–21, with evening performances at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., and free daytime events and informal sessions Saturday at Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Founded in 1961, the event is organized by the university’s Folklore Society and remains a neighborhood staple showcasing a wide spectrum of American and international folk traditions.
This year’s lineup includes bluegrass band High Fidelity, the Cajun-inspired Luke Huval Band, Appalachian group Gap Civil, blues guitarist Jontavious Willis, fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger, barrelhouse pianist Ethan Leinwand and Chicago-based Mariachi Flor de Primavera.
Square dancers practice their steps during a workshop in the Cloister Club of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St., during the 65th annual University of Chicago Folk Festival on Feb. 8, 2025.
Longtime local resident and festival organizer Kathleen Early said the event’s energy comes as much from the audience as from the performers. Early, one of the four “geezers” who run Folk Fest, has helped shape its character and guide programming for decades.
“I love that the kids this year are so interested, eager and already knowledgeable about folk music,” Early said. “Many of them play instruments, and they host dances and informal music sessions in addition to our festival.”
Workshops will offer hands-on learning, including Scandinavian dancing, barn dancing with Gap Civil, fiddling styles and barrelhouse blues piano with Leinwand. The sessions give festivalgoers of all ages an opportunity to engage directly with the music featured on stage.
The Folk Festival is also known for spontaneous collaborations, with musicians and audience members often playing together.
“I love the many spontaneous jams that take place all over Ida Noyes Hall on Saturday,” Early said. “I enjoy meeting people whose music andtalent I have admired, sometimes just recently, sometimes for years and years, and I loveseeing people get up and dance.”
A couple dances in the wings of Mandel Hall’s stage, 1131 E. 57th St., as T’Monde performs during the 65th annual University of Chicago Folk Festival on Feb. 7, 2025.
Early said one of the event’s most anticipated moments is the sound of bagpipes signaling the start of the concert.
“I love the energy and excitement of the bagpipes letting the audience know that the show is starting,” Early said.
Asked what makes this year’s festival stand out, Early pointed to the range of performers.
“Every year is different, and every year has its own high points and challenges,” she said. “The large mariachi ensemble should be loads of fun, I love the two bluesmen, and we have an all-star Cajun band this year.”
Tickets for the University of Chicago Folk Festival concerts are $30 for general admission, $20 for older adults and $5 for students. Free workshops, dances and jams will take place at Ida Noyes Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or so. Visit uofcfolk.org for more information.
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