Those who love bluegrass, country, Americana and folk music — or just want to kick up their heels on the dance floor or sit back to hear a good yarn — will want to head over to Old Poway Park this Saturday.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 6 the San Diego Folk Heritage’s annual Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival will return to the park, with musicians, storytellers and a family contra dance among free activities planned for those of all ages.
In addition, anyone who wants to bring their guitar, banjo, harmonica or other instrument so they can join in an impromptu jam session is also welcome, said Cara Cormier, the booking coordinator for San Diego Folk Heritage.
“This is my first time attending,” said Cormier, who will also be the emcee for the musicians playing at the park’s gazebo. “I’m excited to hear all the musicians whose sounds complement each other.”
Cormier said she has only been with the organization for a year and her first big event was last fall’s Train Song Festival that was also held in Old Poway Park.
“I’m really enjoying my time with it as this is a great opportunity to see amazing local musicians,” she said.
Six music groups have been booked, with a different one stepping into the gazebo each hour.
Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters perform Gulf Coast music. (William Corwin)
Starting off the performances at 10 a.m. will be Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters playing Gulf Coast music. It is described as “a gumbo of Cajun, Zydeco, Mardi Gras and Texas Swing.”
“Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters are high energy and fantastic fun,” Cormier said.
San Diego jazz vocalist and songwriter Kaylee Daughtery, accompanied by three or four other singers, will start her set at 11 a.m.
“Kaylee has a jazzy, unique, interesting sound,” Cormier said.
The duo Nathan and Jessie – Jessie Andra Smith and Nathan Rivera — perform a unique blend of jazzy folk and blues. (Elizabeth Eastman)
At noon, Nathan and Jessie will perform their unique blend of jazzy folk and blues, with Jessie Andra Smith on a resonator guitar and Nathan Rivera on an accordion.
“Jessie is one of the best guitar players I’ve seen in San Diego,” Cormier said. “She is phenomenal.”
Whiskey and Burlap will start their set on the gazebo at 1 p.m. The local trio combines Americana, bluegrass, country and folk music for their performances.
“They are a fantastic bluegrass-oriented trio,” Cormier said.
The Winter Sisters is the acoustic Americana and folk music trio of Bonnie Nicholls, Sande Lollis and Cathryn Beeks. (Cathryn Beeks)
Cathryn Beeks, Sande Lollis and Bonnie Nicholls will team up at 2 p.m. as The Winter Sisters. They are an original songwriting trio that focuses on acoustic Americana and folk music in the round.
“They have amazing harmonies,” Cormier said. “They are like a female Crosby, Stills & Nash. Each performs original songs, taking turns with the other two adding in to create an amazing product.”
Closing out the music portion of the festival will be Fast Heart Mart at 3 p.m. Attendees can expect to hear “a banjo blend of rock, folk, punk, old-time country, bluegrass, blues, rap and Indian raga or simply Punkgrass music,” according to festival organizers.
“I am really excited to hear Fast Heart Mart because there will be amazing banjo playing,” Cormier said.
Because San Diego Folk Heritage believes in preserving and presenting all forms of entertainment in that genre, there will also be a family contra dance and storytelling, Cormier said.
For those not familiar with contra dance, she said it is similar to square dancing and very easy for newcomers and children to pick up.
“It is definitely easy to join in as there is a caller that tells you what to do,” she said. “Everyone is warm and welcoming.”
The free contra dance will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. inside Old Poway Park’s Templars Hall.
Nearby in the Porter House, Storytellers of San Diego will entertain starting at noon when “Old Time Tales” will be told by Mindy Donner, Tammy Burmeister and Aunt Li-Anne. They will be followed at 1 p.m. with “Treasure Tales” told by Emily Stamets and Aunt Li-Anne.
“Wild West Tales” will be the focus starting at 2 p.m. with Emily Stamets, Linda Brown and Marilyn McPhie as the storytellers.
There is the possibility that additional storytellers will be added to the schedule.
Attendees will get their turn to tell tales during the open mic portion from 3 to 4 p.m.
There will be limited seating available, so Cormier is advising attendees to bring lawn chairs to the festival.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the nearby Poway Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from the Hamburger Factory that is in the park.
Old Poway Park is at 14134 Midland Road in Poway. Parking is free. For more information on the Sam Hinton Folk Heritage Festival, visit sdfolkheritage.org.