Dave Matsinko, a well-known folk musician from Pennsylvania, will perform at this year’s Tunes & Tales, a family-friendly feature event at the 10th annual Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, June 20th. Tunes & Tales takes place from 12noon – 5pm in the courtyard of the Central United Methodist Church, just around the corner from the main stage at 10th and Church Streets.
“Dave is very versatile,” says Lisa Macchia-Ohliger, who is coordinating the event and is the Children’s Program Coordinator for the Wayne County Historical Society Museum. “He sings and plays guitar, old-time banjo, mandolin and a mountain dulcimer to bring the spirit of America’s musical past into the present, offering music from the mountains to the coal mines.
“And for Tunes & Tales, Dave will also be teaching young people how to play folk instruments,” adds Macchia-Ohliger. “In another life, he was a teacher in the Lehighton School District. We are really excited to have him in this year’s program.”
In addition to Dave Matsinko, who will be performing throughout the day, Tunes & Tales will present Standingbear, a native American who will offer tales of his history and heritage.
“It’s all about ‘living history,’” says Macchia-Ohliger. “We’ll also have a Delaware & Hudson canal boat that people can see and touch, a hands-on homestead from the 1800s and a working replica of the Stourbridge Lion steam locomotive—the very same one that put Honesdale in the history books.”
Roots & Rhythm is a free non-profit music and arts event for all ages. The headliner this year is The Kentucky Headhunters, preceded by the blues/gospel singer Alexis P. Suter and her band, Professor Louie & the Crowmatix (called a “tasty mix of rhythm and blues and rock”) and the soulful singer/songwriter Chrissi Poland. The fun starts with local bands performing on Main Street in the morning and continues with the main stage bands in Honesdale’s Central Park around 1:30pm.
“You can truly make a day of this free event!” exclaims Brian Fulp, Festival chair. “Come to town mid-morning, have breakfast, then walk the streets of Honesdale shopping and listening to an array of awesome music and then shift to the park after lunch. Every age group will love it!”
Photo: Dave Matsinko will be at this year’s Tunes & Tales at Honesdale’s Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival.