NAPLES, NY (SEPTEMBER, 2012) - Bristol Valley Theater, Naples’ award-winning live professional theater, will reprise and expand their FALL FOLK FEST for five Saturdays from September 22 – October 27. This rich harvest of music, which premiered in fall of 2010, features some of the region's most popular folk groups and will add a  fifth concert to the series this year. In addition, for the first time,  community musicians or aspiring musicians can get in on the fun by taking workshops with band members on October 6. 

“We're excited as the festival continues to grow,” says Bristol Valley Artistic Director, Karin Bowersock, “It's becoming a autumn staple for music lovers in our area!”
 
The Festival will begin September 22 at 7 p.m. with the annual visit by Paulsen, Baker  and Garvey, perhaps the Finger Lakes' favorite traditional folk trio. The group's repertoire—sprinkled with down home humor-- is influenced by artists as varied as James Taylor, Peter Paul and Mary and the country sounds of Willie and Waylon. This will be one of the final performances by John  Garvey, who is retiring from the band in early October, so fans won't want to miss this chance to see them all together! The folk trio's annual autumn appearance at Bristol Valley is a popular event, so advance tickets are recommended.
 
Two weeks later (the Festival is dark for GrapeFest weekend), on October 6, the Buffalo-based Canal Street String Band will take center stage. Not only will the band perform a concert of classic American music that the country was built on —from fiddle tunes to sea shanties and cowboy songs-- but the musicians, Dave Ruch, Jim Whitford and Phil Banaszak will each lead a workshop for community participation. Workshops will be October 6 at 3 p.m.  in Beginning Guitar, Fiddle and Hambone/Spoons and are suitable for all ages. The concert starts the same evening at 7 p.m. The Naples Historical Society is a co-sponsor with the theater of this concert and the workshops.
 
“How fun to be able to work and learn hands on with these great musicians,” added Bowersock. “I'm already polishing my spoons!”
 
On October 13, the festival will feature  the energetic folk rock of The Textured Whinos. This concert event will be a benefit for band member Troy Cusson's Mount Kilimanjaro Cancer Climb. In February 2013, Cusson will scale the 19,000- foot summit of the legendary mountain to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society through the Journeys of Inspiration program. Cusson has raised nearly $10,000 in support of his climb and proceeds from the concert will add to the support for his journey. Soloist Rob Smith will be  the opening act for The Textured Whinos.
 
October 20 will bring the return of Fiddlers of the Genesee, an old time fiddling group who specialize in old time and roots music. In addition to many fiddle playing members of this large ensemble, guitar, mandolin banjo, bass, and hammered dulcimer are also frequently featured. Curtain time is 7 p.m.   
 
The Fall Folk Fest concludes with a concert by another regional favorite, The Prickers. The band, who have performed at The Bug Jar, Water Street Music Hall, and numerous local and regional festivals, was featured on WXXI's concert series, Onstage and will release their second cd, “Great Big Hearts” in September. Specializing in foot-stompin, whiskey-soaked, dirt bag porch muzik, their uniquely contagious sound is created by musicians Karl Neubauer, John "Banjovi"Yerkovich, Carrie Blackwood-Kennedy,"Modest" Mike Fargnoli , Aaron Pridmore, and "Raging" Roy Wells. 
 
The Folk Fest is sponsored in part by Brew and Brats at Arbor Hill, who will also provide samples of their food, wine and beer at each concert event. Tickets for each concert are $15 for adults, $5 for kids under 18 and are available online at www.bvtnaples.org, by phone at 585 374 9032, or at the door at the theater at 151 South Main Street in Naples.  Box office for each event opens one hour before showtime. Participation in the workshops costs $5 for all ages and can be registered for by phoning 585 374 9032.
 
“We're offering a wide variety of artists and styles this year, something for every taste, from traditional to cutting edge--but if you can't choose one concert to attend, you don't have to,” adds Bowersock. “We're offering a Folk Lover's Special package to attend all five concerts  and the workshop of your choice for a reduced price of $60!” 
 
Bristol Valley Theater's Fall programming is sponsored in part by funds from  the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
 

Karin Bowersock Bristol Valley Theater 585-374-9032 bvt@bvtnaples.org