Category: News

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2020 Festival on Hold until “Time is Right”

HONESDALE, April 15, 2020 — Following considerable deliberations, the Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival Board of Directors has chosen to put this year’s festival on hold. The event originally planned for June 20, 2020 will regrettably not take place on the third Saturday in June as it has for the past 14 years.

In light of the fact that many of the festival’s key players and sponsors currently have to place their own health and economic well being first, any decisions made to reschedule in 2020 will be made based on sound public health guidance.

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival has drawn thousands to enjoy acts on the main stage, downtown bands stretching the length of Main Street, award-winning sustainability efforts and exceptional works of art from artists in the community all for the most affordable price possible. Organizers are still working toward celebrating a 15th year when the time is right.

Roots & Rhythm is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

At the appropriate time, the board and committee will take the proper steps to notify valued sponsors, participants and fans as to any updates for the festival. The board wishes to thank everyone who has supported the cause all these years and hopes that support continues this year and in future years.

The festival organizers wish everyone health and peace during this time.

To contact organizers, email info@honesdalerootsandrhythm.com

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Roots & Rhythm Announces 2020 Featured Artist

UPDATE: 2020 Roots & Rhythm “On Hold”

HONESDALE, March 11, 2020 — In its 15th year, Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival is pleased to announce the Featured Artist for 2020, painter Dane Tilghman.

Tilghman has established himself as one of the premier painters of blues musicians, African American golf art and Negro League baseball images. His work has been exhibited at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The main styles represented in his work include Impressionism, Realism, Cubism, and a style that Tilghman likes to call “Tall Tale Art.” 

  • Dane Tilghman
Dane Tilghman and his work

“My art is a calibration of lives past for their contribution to the human experience. Although many of the people I paint are not famous or well known, deep in our souls we connect to them. They lived their lives as we live now, and they have been where we are yet to go,” said Tilghman.

From its start in 2006, Roots & Rhythm has drawn thousands to enjoy acts on the main stage, downtown bands stretching the length of Main Street, garnered award-winning sustainability efforts, showcased exceptional works of art from artists in the community all for the most affordable price possible. Free!

This festival is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Stay tuned for details at our website and our Facebook page.

To contact organizers, email info@honesdalerootsandrhythm.com

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm is a non-profit event totally free of charge, put on entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsors, donors and grants. Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization.

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Roots Hoot – CANCELLED

HONESDALE — March 17 – The fundraising event scheduled for March 28 has been cancelled. Stay tuned for more information on ways to support the festival in 2020 and beyond!

From its start in 2006, Roots & Rhythm has drawn thousands to enjoy acts on the main stage, downtown bands stretching the length of Main Street, garnered award-winning sustainability efforts, showcased exceptional works of art from artists in the community all for the most affordable price possible. Free!

Thanks to Top Notch Distributors in Honesdale for being a Gold Sponsor in 2020!

This year, the organizers of this free festival for thousands asks for your consideration in helping to make this event possible. Sponsors are able to make tax-deductible donation to the cause and every dollar is important.

This festival is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Stay tuned for details at our website and our Facebook page.

To contact organizers, email info@honesdalerootsandrhythm.com

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm is a non-profit event totally free of charge, put on entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsors, donors and grants. Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization.

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Annual Music & Arts Festival Announces 2020 Date

UPDATE: Roots & Rhythm “On Hold”

HONESDALE, February 18, 2020 — Following 14 years of free music and arts in downtown Honesdale, the board and committee of the non-profit organization announce the 15th annual festival is currently on hold. (updated 4/15/2020)

Ever since humble beginnings in 2006 made possible entirely from community donations, the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival has drawn thousands to enjoy acts on the main stage, downtown bands stretching the length of Main Street, award-winning sustainability efforts, exceptional works of art from artists in the community all for the most affordable price possible.

Thanks to the efforts of our valued sponsors, the festival has been able to cover the rising costs of stage production, high quality acts and ever-growing general expenses. Raffles have also played an instrumental (pun intended) role in helping to defray costs which have soared to nearly $60,000 per year to pull off the major event. This year, the organizers of this free festival for thousands asks for your consideration in helping to make this event possible. Sponsors are able to make tax-deductible donation to the cause and every dollar is important. The festival, and its many attendees, are grateful for any amount sponsors contribute.

The 2020 Roots & Rhythm Custom Guitar in the making.

The festival is also close to announcing the Main Stage acts for 2020 as well as additional exciting news on the 2020 Roots Custom Guitar Raffle, featured visual artist and more.

This festival is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm is a non-profit event totally free of charge, put on entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsors, donors and grants.

To contact organizers, email info@honesdalerootsandrhythm.com

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3 Acts Round Out Main Stage for 14th Annual Roots & Rhythm

HONESDALE, PA – Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival is ramping up for its 14th year of bringing live music and live art to thousands in downtown Honesdale for free. Along with this year’s headliner, The Black Lillies, Roots & Rhythm is happy to announce three additional bands that will be taking the Main Stage.

Wayne Hancock

Continue reading “3 Acts Round Out Main Stage for 14th Annual Roots & Rhythm”

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The Black Lillies to Headline 14th Annual Roots & Rhythm

HONESDALE, PA – Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival is proud to welcome The Black Lillies as headliners for this year’s free festival on June 15th in Central Park in downtown Honesdale.

Known for their captivating blend of rock & roll and country, The Black Lillies have become one of Americana music’s biggest success stories; an
internationally-renowned band of roots-rockers, armed with songs that blur the boundaries between genres.
The Black LIllies
The Black Lillies are a mainstay on radio and album sales charts, with a sound that is as powerful in the quieter moments as it is explosive during the jubilant ones. The bands’ pared down configuration has resulted in a bigger, deeper sound built on undeniable chemistry, lush three-part harmonies, and instrumental virtuosity with a funky edge.
Their new album ‘Stranger To Me’, was an immediate success, debuting at #5 on the Billboard Folk/Americana Chart, #9 on the Billboard Current Country Chart, and #61 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – no small feat for a band that eschews record labels in order to remain independent and in control of their sound. And what a sound it is: built on the foundation of the familiar roots rock of some of the greatest bands of the past, but altogether fresh, modern, sharp; swirling with psychedelic overtones, torch ballad longing, and an indie rock edge.

The Black Lillies are just the latest headliner to build upon the reputation of having nationally known acts free of charge to festival goers each year. The festival’s main stage lineup includes 3 more bands which will be announced soon.

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm officially opens at 10:30 Saturday morning with local bands along Main Street and then moves to Central Park, where attendees can enjoy arts, crafts,  games and food. This non-profit event is totally free of charge, put on entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsors, donors and grants.

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Place Your Bets! A Roots & Rhythm Fundraiser

HONESDALE, PA – Down the stretch we come, folks. Roots & Rhythm is excited to announce a fundraising event on Friday, February 1 at 6:00 p.m. (add to my calendar)

Special thanks to Amanda Rowe for designing our program

The free, annual music & arts festival in Honesdale relies on donations, grants and sponsors in order to deliver a memorable experience each year.

Place Your Bets! will be held at Here & Now Brewing Company. Sponsorships are still available for businesses or individuals who want to join in the heart-pumping action.

During the event multiple random pre-recorded horse races will be shown on the big screen. Each race will have sponsors and the cost to sponsor is $75. Your sponsorship will be announced at the beginning of each race and in print in the event program. Thanks to the folks at Canaltown for providing the big screen for the races!

The money raised will allow Roots & Rhythm to grow as an organization and festival. After 13 years of great success, the board and committee hope to have a presence in the arts and music community all year long. The funds will also be directed toward the continued growth of the festival in June, making it bigger and better each year.

YETI Hopper 30 ($300 value donated by Top Notch Distributors) will be filled with prizes from local businesses and raffled off during the event

Details regarding how the race night event works are below. If you do not wish to be a sponsor, please consider “purchasing” a horse and coming out for the evening to bet on the races. There will also be a raffle with great prizes including a YETI cooler.

Thank you for considering being a part of a special night as well as your continued support of music and arts in Honesdale!

How does Place Your Bets! work?

  • Each horse race has 10 horses. Owning a horse only costs $10. The owner of each horse gets to name their horse. The winning owner of each race will receive $40.
  • Before each race the betting windows open. Anyone can bet $2 on any horse in each race to win. You can bet on multiple horses in any race.
  • When the betting window closes, odds will be calculated and announced for each horse. When the race ends, anyone who bet on the winning horse will receive the calculated payout specific to the race.
  • Then, the owner of the winning horse and anyone who bet on the winning horse will receive their winnings. Then the process will continue. There will be 8-10 races in the evening.

For more information hit up Ryan @ ryan.festivaltown@gmail.com

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Time for 13th Annual Roots & Rhythm

HONESDALE, PA – It’s here! The free music and arts festival that’s been entertaining visitors to downtown Honesdale for a dozen years is back for its 13th year (lucky!) with a trip back to some of the Main Stage performers’ roots. 

Dan Nelson

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival is pleased to have neighbors to the north, The Sadies, headlining this year’s festival. Three additional bands are playing the main stage, two of which have roots in Honesdale. Sour Bridges (featuring the Pucci brothers from Honesdale),The Whiskey Killers (featuring Pack Samptson of Honesdale) & Bobby Kyle & the Administers round out the Main Stage acts. Honesdale Roots & Rhythm officially opens at 10:30 Saturday morning, June 16 with bands throughout downtown along Main Street.

There is so much more to Roots & Rhythm (just like the 12 years before) including including Artist Row on 9th Street. There will be an interactive community art project led by Paul Venditti and Kelsey Renniger, live drawing and painting demonstrations by John Kascht, live demonstrations of clay-throwing by James Spencer (our featured visual artist) of The Bodhi Tree Art School & Studio and tattooing by Dan Nelson of American House. Not to mention other talented artists selling their wares.

You won’t go hungry at Roots & Rhythm either with 10th Street full of vendors offering everything you might want to savor along with the music & art in the park. The festival strives each year to be a zero-waste event thanks to the efforts of a dedicated crew who want to put the environment first and foremost in our minds.

This non-profit event is totally free of charge, put on entirely by volunteers and supported by sponsors, donors and grants.

See you Saturday!