2025 Lake Erie Folk Fest Schedule
February 15, 2025
Doors at 12pm • Events start at 1pm
FREE Community Concerts, Presentations, Music Workshops, Community Jams, and more!
The afternoon of FREE events from 1pm to 6pm will be held at the Thwing Student Center at Case Western Reserve University, located at 11111 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44106.
The Evening Concert ($25 advance, $30 at the door) will be held at Harkness Chapel, 11200 Bellflower Rd., three blocks from Thwing. Buy Tickets Here.
View Full 2025 Schedule Details:
For our guests with disabilities: We have limited parking reserved for those with Handicapped placards or license plates in the Underground Parking area in Lot 29. If you’d like to reserve a space in that lot, please contact us and we’ll be happy to make that happen for you: Dave at banpipar@gmail.com. If you haven’t already reserved a space, please display your placard when you arrive at the parking garage and let the gate attendant know you’re there for the Lake Erie Folk Festival.
Free Events: 1-6pm
Music Workshops: A Sampling
Chris Coole will present a workshop called “Coole’s Cool Banjo Tunings” and John Showman will present a workshop entitled “Weird Fiddle Tunes You’ve Never Heard Before.”
And don’t forget to get your tickets for the evening concert when Showman & Coole of The Lonesome Ace Stringband will be performing together along with other fabulous local, national and international acts.
"Pickin on the Other Porches" The Soulful Folk Music of Appalachia
One of the workshops will feature Appalachian Soul Man, Aristotle Jones.
In this 45-minute workshop, Aristotle Jones and his Amazing Appalachian Soul Band will be joined by storyteller William Hairston for an engaging exhibition on how the solitary act of simply strumming a guitar on a lazy afternoon, can easily turn into a raucous and rowdy community yard party. Attendees will be prompted to join in on the music making through various genre techniques, such as Call and Response, Vocal Ad libs, and Choral harmonies to create an inclusive, engaging experience that is not only fun but practical.
David Howley, indie folk artist from Ireland and founding member of Billboard No.1 band We Banjo 3, will present “Irish Guitar Styles.”
Workshop participants will explore the art of Irish traditional guitar accompaniment, delving into the unique techniques and approaches that define the style. We will work to uncover the richness of alternate tunings like DADGAD, learn how rhythmic patterns interact with tune types such as jigs and reels, and examine the subtleties of chord voicings that enhance the melodic flow. We’ll also discuss ornamentation and dynamics to bring depth and authenticity to your playing. Whether you’re new to Irish trad or looking to refine your skills, this session will equip you with the tools to confidently accompany the melodies of traditional Irish tunes.
Dinner Break: 6-7:30pm
Dine in The Jolly Scholar (Thwing First Floor) or University Circle restaurants.
Evening Concert: 7:30pm
Opener: Global Connections
Headliners:
Showman & Coole
David Howley
Location: Harkness Chapel
11200 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland 44106
Limited tickets can be purchased at the door until sold out.
Doors open at 7pm. Concert starts at 7:30pm.
Additional Information
This is a cashless event. Only credit/debit will be accepted for ticket and merchandise purchases at the event.
Open Mic
Jolly Scholar
Info Desk
Thwing Atrium
1-6pm
Instrument & Coat Check
Thwing Atrium
12pm-end
Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association