About
CT Folk engages, entertains and inspires through diverse folk music, while helping to foster a socially just and environmentally sustainable community.
CT Folk is committed to being a guide to the Folk, Roots and Americana music community, (as we seek a broader definition of diverse folk traditions), and to supporting and advocating for environmental and social justice initiatives in Connecticut and the global community.
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CT Folk is dedicated to the furtherance of folk music in all of its varied forms which may include, but is not limited to: Classic and Contemporary Folk, Roots Country, Bluegrass, Roots Rock, Blues, Jazz, Zydeco, World, Western Swing, Roots Gospel, Celtic, and more.
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We provide performance opportunities for emerging and more established artists, support the development of new work, provide educational programming, pay tribute to individuals who have made distinctive or significant contributions to our musical and environmental culture, and recognize those who have contributed to the betterment of our community.
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CT Folk is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to CT Folk are tax-deductible.
History
Our
The organization now known as CT Folk grew out of a folk festival created to raise funds for the Farmington Rail to Trail Association and the CT Fund for the Environment. The first concert, in 1989, featured Tom Paxton, followed in subsequent years by Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Emmy Lou Harris, Odetta, Peter Yarrow. First organized as the Eli Whitney Folk Festival, the name was later changed to the New Haven Folk Festival (with an organizing group called the New Haven Folk Alliance), before becoming CT Folk.
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New Haven Folk also started presenting concerts one Friday per month. In 2002, the festival became a 3-day festival, with a Friday night Grassy Hill Song Circle to honor Tom Neff, an early founder and supporter, followed by an all-day festival on Saturday and a Sunday informal song circle. In 2013, the festival transitioned to a Saturday-only event; the Grassy Hill Song Circle was incorporated into the festival, and became a showcase for emerging artists. The annual Festival and Green Expo were ticketed until 2012, at which point, it became a free event (by donation only). CT Folk is fortunate to be able to continue bringing the Festival and Green Expo to our widening community, thanks to the generosity of Tom Neff, our major benefactor, as well as that of our sponsors, and through donations from folks like you.
Coleen Campbell spearheaded and directed the Green Expo component of the festival, beginning in 2005, and eventually, the festival itself. Nicole Heriot-Mikula joined the CT Folk family as Festival Director in 2016.