GrassRoots Performers Announced for 2007

The GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance has announced the performer roster for the 17th annual festival, 19 - 22 July, 2007.

As usual, the festival eschews mainstream stars in favor of lesser-known, but worthy and exciting, musicians of many styles, from around the world.

This year's schedule is especially notable for its global and stylistic breadth. Countries and regions represented include Australia, Taiwan, Mali, Burkina Faso, South Africa, eastern Africa, the Middle East, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and Native America. Styles include traditional Native American, as well as "Navajo punk"; blues, bluegrass, and old-time, including "guerilla old-time"; jazz, gospel, folk, reggae, cajun, zydeco, rock, country, alt.country, and hip hop - including "post-punk laptop rap."

One of the fun things about the festival, year after year, is the emergence of at least one performer from first-time obscurity, to community renown. Last year it was Musafir, from India. Before them, it was the Avett Brothers old-timey band. This year there are many great candidates for discovery - and four days of fun for doing it.

See www.grassrootsfest.org for more details.

Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog