Montana Folk Festival returns to Butte

The fifth annual Montana Folk Festival opens in Butte Friday at 7 p.m., with more than 200 artists scheduled to perform on six stages throughout the weekend.

This year’s theme is “The Bounty of the Land” and highlights the influence of agriculture on Montana culture and heritage. Demonstrations related to agricultural technology and trade will take place during the festival.

All performances at the Montana Folk Festival are free, but guest are asked to donate $10 per person or $25 for a family.

“We have designed this festival with the goal in mind that it is a great way to begin a summer adventure in Montana. Start here and then go to the wonders of the national parks, mountains and rivers in the region afterwards,” said George Everett, festival director, in a release.

The music is the centerpiece of the Montana Folk Festival, which year after year provides a smattering of world music for thousands of guests.

The festival does not have “headliners,” per se, instead inviting musicians and performers from around the globe.

This year’s musicians include Grammy-nominated Hawaiian swing musician Kahulanui, Afro-Colombian group Grupo Rebolu and the Savoy Family Cajun Band.

Other musicians and performers include the Western Flyers, a western swing group; Khmer Arts Academy, a Cambodian ballet; Homayun Sakhi and Salar Nader, traditional Afghan musicians; Greek-Italian-American Sophia Bilides; go-go musicians Experience Unlimited; the Ann Yao Trio, which performs on the Chinese zheng; Montana’s own Troy “Good Medicine” de Roche, a native American flute player; and Capoeira Luanda, Afro-Brazilian dance and martial arts.

The musical performer lineup has been set with help from the National Council for the Traditional Arts, with guidance from a Montana Music Programming Committee.

Other activities include a Children’s Activity Stage, which provides crafts and performances by the Banana Slug String Band.

The Montana Arts Marketplace returns this year and features traditional artists from Montana. An adjacent First Peoples’ Marketplace includes the 26 Native American artists.

Ethnic and festival food will be for sale at three food courts.

For more details about the festival and a full list of performers, plus bios and videos of them performing, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com.