Ben Scales
We’re really excited about this year’s music, which has roots in many nations. As always, every act has direct ties to Montford with either a current or a former neighbor in the band.
The neighborhood’s deep and diverse musical roots are on full display this year. Last year, we completely reworked the line-up in response to requests to broaden the mix. This year, I wanted to seize the momentum we created by inviting back certain “encore” performers from last year.
Returning to the festival will be the ever-popular WestSound, the reggae band Pure Fiyah, and as always, Ira Bernstein, who was the original music coordinator, one of the festival’s founders, and the only performer to have appeared at every Montford Festival since its inception.
In between musical acts, we’ll be entertained by Asheville Shakesperience, the professional touring company of the Montford Park Players, Morris dancing from Asheville Morris Men and Ashgrove Garland, including a Maypole celebration, and the return of the Mountain Lion Chinese Dragon dancers. Plus, there will be surprise performers and a special guest MC or two.
Schedule of Musical Performances
11:00 a.m.—EMBE Marimba Band.
EMBE is a Swahili word for mango, and this band from Evergreen Community Charter School dishes out sweet and juicy tunes from around the world.
Noon—Ira Bernstein and John Herrmann.
Ira is a world-class percussive step dancer. He’ll be joined for this performance by John, the legendary Zen Master of Old-Time, on fiddle, banjo, and guitar.
1:00 p.m.—Vollie McKenzie and Roger Bellow.
Here’s vintage country western swing with influences ranging from Hank Williams and Ray Charles to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys to Appalachian string bands.
2:00 p.m.—Hurt Mountain Boys.
This Asheville supergroup of “Rock & Rollers Trying to Play Country” can sure do outlaw country right, conjuring Willie, Waylon, Charlie, Hank, and more.
3:00 p.m.—Pure Fiyah Reggae Band.
The band delivers powerful music that blends roots reggae with elements of R&B, funk, soul, and rock & roll, creating “the sounds of the system, the good, the bad and the oppressed ones.”
4:00 p.m.—The Cheeksters.
Their Brit-Pop radio rock from the late 1960s and early 1970s has strands of R&B, glam, even bubblegum. Bouncy and groovy, this music is sure to awaken the Zombies among us.
5:00 p.m.—WestSound.
The sensation of last year’s festival, WestSound rocked the avenue with high-energy Motown, blues, R&B, and soul that had everybody humming, singing, and dancing. Don’t miss them this year!
6:00 p.m.—The Screaming J’s.
Rockin’ boogie woogie with folk, experimental, and blues influences, this guitar and keyboard-driven music gets an extra kick from the horn section of the Firecracker Jazz Band.
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Should be great fun!! See you there!!