The 16th Delmarva Folk Festival is just a calendar page away, but while the month of the autumnal equinox is hanging on the wall, put a big circle around the 15th of September. True, that’s the predicted date of the September coffee house, but this month the coffee house will be moved across town, greatly expanded, and be more like a brew house.

The 4th annual FordamFest will serve as our “coffee house” for September. Our good friends at Fordham Brewing will provide the place and all of the necessary fixin’s for a goodle time outdoors at their brewery.

Delaware Friends of Folk and the Delmarva Folk Festival are the main sponsors of this grand time, along with Fordham’s parent company, Coastal Brewing, Old Dominion Brewing, NKS Distributors, and Big Classic Rock 98.5 radio.

We will be providing continuous music throughout the day, featuring Celtic Harvest, Sandcreek, and the Squawgum Possums.

We have also invited the finalists in the Delmarva Folk Hero contest to perform. At the time this is written, we plan to be able to present Larissa Moore, Jonny Maduro, Bad Wheel Jonny, and Butch Zito. It’s likely this list will change several times, but as always, the quality goes in before the name goes on.

Along with the music, there will be a variety of games, brewery tours, amazing bar-b-que from Rob Fox, soft drinks, coffee, and really fresh Fordham beer. The Fordham Brewery is on Horsepond Road, just off South Little Creek Road east of Dover.

The festivities kick off around noon and will continue until 6 pm or so. Come early and stay all day if you can. It’s a family-oriented thing and there will be plenty of games and other things to keep everyone entertained and happy. Admission is $20 for adults, and that gets you lots of food and several beers. Admission is less for those under 21, and free for those 12 and under.

This is a run-up to the Delmarva Folk Festival, so you could consider this to be a work-out to be sure you’re in shape for the good time on October 5 & 6. We’ve got another stellar lineup this year, including the return of The Kennedys, Sam Shaber, and Vic Sadot and Planete Folle. Newcomers include Jeff Black, Jeff and Vida, and the Bro. Joe Baione Trio. We’ll have lots more about the Festival in our October newsletter, or you can go to our web site, delfolk.org for details. Get your tickets early!

-- John Kidd, DEFF President

Remember, we are a real live 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. That means that your donations to Delaware Friends of Folk are likely tax deductible, but we know you’ll check with the experts before trying to rip off Uncle Sam. We are beginning to work in a few other directions, like sponsoring workshops and perhaps other educational efforts. Got a few extra dollars? Got some ideas on how we might use them? Let us know.

There’s a lot of work being done now by the Festival committee and there is tons of work still to do. If you’d like to volunteer to help us prepare for the Festival or work at the Festival itself, it’s not too late to sign up. Just contact Beth Fizell at beth@cooldog.com and she can plug you into one of our vacancies.

Remember, in return for five hours of work, you will be admitted free to the Festival. We especially need help with the ticket booth on Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday.

If you’d like to be an ambassador for Delaware Friends of Folk when people first arrive, let us know. Don’t forget to log onto the website and order your tickets soon. Thanks to all our volunteers who have worked so hard to make this a noteworthy Delmarva Folk Festival.

For those of you who haven't been up on the news, this year The Delaware Friends of Folk used our Open Mic coffeehouses in February and July to run a contest. The finalists will perform at the Friday night of the festival on October 5th. We'll be doing balloting on Friday night, and the winner will get a prize package including:
- a 1 hour set on the main stage of the Delmarva Folk Festival the next day (October 6th)
- $100 cash
- a photo shoot with Steve Hicks, local photographer and photography teacher
- recording studio time with West Street Studio in Dover
- an opportunity to perform live on the Radio on WSTW's Hometown Heroes show with Mark Rogers

The ballots were tallied, and the Finalists will be (in no particular order):
- Butch Zito & Teri Dobra
- Chapel Street Junction
- Miller (aka Michael Miller)
- Bad Wheel Jonny
- Jonny Maduro
- Sean Cheezum
- Larissa Moore

Some of these folks were familiar to us from previous events, others were new performers and a pleasant surprise. They'll go head-to-head on October 5th, in a wonderful event hosted by Nik Everett, who will be putting out his newest CD just 2 days later (and I have it on good authority he will have his CD for sale in advance of his official street date and CD Release Party, so be there to get your copy!).

-- Beth Fizell, DEFF Board Member

On Saturday, September 29 from 6-11 PM, the brand new Pizzadili Winery in Felton, DE will host an evening of Wine and Dance in order to raise money for Delaware Charitable Music, Inc. They will also cater all the food for purchase and provide a sampling (or more) of their current wines, all of which feature Delaware grown grapes. There will also be a silent auction of fabulous items donated by supporters of this Festival from throughout the community.

Performing at the event will be the extraordinary band, TEAR THE ROOF OFF. Their show will feature blues, jazz, funk and soul in an evening of genuine house rockin’ music with a big dose of Mardi Gras fun. The five piece band is led by saxophonist David Raynor, a blues scene veteran with performers like Albert Collins, Charles Brown, T-Bone Walker and Johnny Adams. (Don’t’ be surprised if you find yourself leaping to catch a string of beads or joining the Conga line that weaves around the vineyard.)

Tickets are $20. advance purchase or $30. at the door. For an additional $5. a ticket may be purchased at the winery for five tastings of the available wines along with a tasting glass.

Dancing, it is often said, is the visible and creative expression of the body’s natural movements. Not only is it great exercise, but it is a fun way to cut loose and celebrate the joys of life. Come help us celebrate the continuation of the Jazz, Blues and BBQ event to be held this spring. And LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Tickets may be purchased thru paypal online at www.dejazzbluesfest.com or one of the listed ticket outlets on the website. For additonal information call the hotline and ticket center at 302-672-7022.