The Washington Square Park Folk Festival first took place in 2011 and is approaching its 14th year this coming Sunday. Now an annual event, it was the brainchild of former WSP Administrator Rebecca Ferguson (three Park Administrators back!). As an NYC Parks Department employee, Ferguson had the idea of holding a folk music event in the park, with a nod to Washington Square’s esteemed music history. Ferguson first connected with Matt Umanov of the venerated Greenwich Village guitar shop (the physical store has since closed but they maintain a web site where they sell guitars and offer “guitar restoration and repair” by appointment) who introduced her to musician Eli Smith. Smith organized the first and subsequent festivals, along with Jalopy Theatre, and has continued his involvement in the event each year. The event is now mainly organized by the Jalopy Theatre & School of Music; Smith continues to perform.
Ferguson left the job (quietly) in 2012 (notably as a private conservancy was being formed out of public view with no public input and behind closed doors).
The Folk Festival has continued on – now year 14! It didn’t happen in 2020, due to heightened Covid, of course.
This year it again takes place at Garibaldi Plaza on Sunday, August 25th from 1 – 6 p.m.
It’s free!
You can read an interview I did the first year with Eli Smith including photos from that year’s event.
Schedule for Sunday, August 25th:
1 p.m.- Juntas Chicas
2 p.m.- Eli Smith
3 p.m.- Feral Foster & Ali Dineen
4 p.m.- Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson
5 p.m. – Tambor y Caña
Come on down!
Link to WSP Folk Festival official page.
Previously at Washington Square Park Blog:
Washington Square Park Folk Festival – Interview with Organizer Eli Smith Plus Photos from First Day September 18, 2011
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