1st Folk 2 Funk Festival in February

When Johanna Mathieson-Ellmer, Director of Artists in Partnership Inc. and the producer of the Barrier  Beach Blues and Arts Festival saw how many people were suffering from  post-holiday funk, she decided to do something about it.  She spoke with the Director of the Long Beach Public Library, George Trepp and Mark, the owner of Lola's, and together they were able to pool enough resources, and muster up enough enthusiasm to create the 1st Folk-2-Funk Festival taking place at both venues. 

Mathieson-Ellmer believes that "music helps us to celebrate our lives despite the struggles we may have to face and overcome. The focus for this festival is on "Roots" music which refers to traditional country, folk, gospel, blues, Native American and zydeco and we've assembled a representative group of musicians and vocalists for this event."

The Festival opens at Lola's on Feb. 11th with an evening of foot-stomping blues, folk, funk and zydeco performed by the Polly-O Band. It continues Saturday afternoon from 2-5:00 with local musician, Benoir and the Dreamer Cult , and  from  New York City, Brad Vickers and his Vestapolitans.

Saturday evening at 8:00 we are privileged to present Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia fresh off their recent PBS special with Bethany's Dad, Peter Yarrow from Peter Paul and Mary. "Bethany delivers low, smoky tones that call to mind Nina Simone or Cassandra Wilson delving into field recordings... Cappadocia bows and plucks [his] cello with dramatic tension and stately grace.  With stunning imagination, Bethany & Rufus move music linked with her father's era in arresting new directions. Bravo!" GOLDMINE MAGAZINE.

The music contines on Sunday at 1:30 with the duo of local Blues legends,  Howie Haber and Lou Carollo of Breakway, followed by vocalist, musician and songwriter, Christine Solimeno at 2:30. At 3:30, get ready  to get up out of your seats when Edlene Hart and the F&G Band take the stage with a set of all original Blues that are sure to "hit you where you live".

When the Library events end, you need not despair. Take a walk down to Lola's, grab a bite and you might even want to sit in with the Mike Barnett Blues Band who will be performing from 5:30-8:30. Just think...Spring is just a little over a month away.