Sterling Stage Folkfest will mark its return from a three-year hiatus over May 25-28, bringing the Central New York kickoff to summer back to Sterling, NY for Memorial Day weekend.
Since 1995, Sterling Stage Folkfest has been a spirited kick off to summer at Sterling Stage Kampitheater and features a fun mix of folk, roots and jamband music as well as Artist’s Village, food and craft vendors, morning yoga, camping and more.
More than 20 acts are scheduled for the four-day event, including Southern Tier standouts Driftwood, who will headline with two sets on Saturday, May 27. Sunday nights will see headliner Hayley Jane, who will be playing two sets with an absolutely incredible band that she has assembled for the night, including Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, and Neal “Fro” Evans (3/4th of Dopapod) along with Josh Hobbs.
CNY jam faves Count Blastula get the party started on Thursday May 25 with two sets, and will also have the honor of christening a new main stage at the venue, the Artist’s Stage. Friday night will keep the CNY vibe going with the debut of Marilyn’s Cookies, featuring former members of Grateful Dead tribute band Pearly Baker’s Best, including lead guitarist Eric “EB” Brown who has been playing Sterling Stage since the inaugural event in 1995.
Other Folkfest highlights include Folkfaces from Western NY playing late night on Saturday and Rochester’s The Forest Dwellers late night on Friday; debuts from an eclectic mix of groups include The Sorters from Pennsylvania, Motherwort from Ithaca/Finger Lakes, and a funky new project from NY saxophone great Jesse Collins, called Honey Jar Habit.
The 2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest is the first of 3 multi-day music and camping events that Eric McElveen’s new company Elven Productions, is organizing at the Sterling Stage Kampitheater. Next up is 2023 Sterling Stage String Fling July 6-9 featuring a jam grass theme with Sicard Hollow and Sam Grisman Project headlining. Closing out the season and and the second year replacing the long running Last Daze of Summer festival is Happy Sterling Festival August 31-September 3.
All tickets include overnight camping and BYOB privileges. Coolers and campfires are allowed (no glass bottles). Advance festival passes are just $80 ($95 at gate) and space is limited. Tickets are available here.
2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest Lineup
DRIFTWOOD (2X Saturday)
HAYLEY JANE (2X Sunday) w/Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, Neal “Fro” Evans, and Josh Dobbs
MARILYN’S COOKIES (2X Friday)
COUNT BLASTULA (2X Thursday)
FOLKFACES
THE FOREST DWELLERS
THE SORTERS
MOTHERWORT
HONEY JAR HABIT
SUPER SPICY PEPPER
NATURAL MEDICINE
OLD DEER ENSEMBLE
HAL & PALS
DUBIOUSLY DEAD
ALLEN HARRIS
CHAR DENNIS BAND
KATIE ALESSANDRA (of Turkey Blaster Omega)
SAM MONEY
PAUL LECLAIR
MOE MICHNICK
DUFFY
FRANK HARRIS
AARON MEKKELSON
Sterling Stage Folkfest Schedule
ARTIST’S STAGE (MAIN)
Thursday May 25
10pm – 11:30pm – Count Blastula
Friday May 26
4pm – 5:10pm – Char Dennis Band
6pm – 7:10pm – Natural Medicine
8pm – 9:10pm – Marilyn’s Cookies
10pm – 11:30pm – Marilyn’s Cookies
Saturday May 27
2pm – 3:10pm – Allen Harris
4pm – 5:10pm – Honey Jar Habit
6pm – 7:10pm – The Sorters
8pm – 9:10pm – Driftwood
10pm – 11:30pm – Driftwood
Sunday May 28
2pm – 3:10pm – Old Deer Ensemble
4pm – 5:10pm – Hal & Pals
6pm – 7:10pm – Motherwort
8pm – 9:10pm – Hayley Jane
10pm – 11:30pm – Hayley Jane
SINATRA LOUNGE STAGE
Thursday May 25
11:45pm – 1am – Allen Harris
Friday May 26
5:15pm – 5:55pm – Duffy
7:15pm – 7:55pm – Sam Money
9:15pm – 9:55pm – Sam Money
11:45pm – 12:30am – The Forest Dwellers
12:35am – 12:50am – Katie Alessandra
1:00pm – 2am – The Forest Dwellers
Saturday May 27
3:15pm – 3:55pm – Aaron Mekkelson
5:15pm – 5:55pm – Paul LeClair
7:15pm – 7:55pm – Dubiously Dead
9:15pm – 9:55pm – Dubiously Dead
11:45pm – Folkfaces
Sunday May 28
3:15pm – 3:55pm – Frank Harris
5:15pm – 5:55pm – Moe Michnick
7:15pm – 7:55pm – Katie Alessandra
9:15pm – 9:55pm – Katie Alessandra
11:45pm – Super Spicy Pepper