The 2020 Takoma Park Folk Festival is going virtual, with six hours of programming that will be shown online from 7-10 p.m. on September 13 and 20.

The Festival will be a mix of six new performances recorded at Takoma Park’s own Tonal Park studio this summer, along with archival Festival footage - courtesy of Takoma TV - celebrating more than 40 years of this community event. The theme is “Voices Heard,” which reflects the determination to have a celebration, support for inclusion of the many voices in our community, and the collective striving for social justice.

The six performances include: Soul trio Big Little Band headed by Takoma’s own Marc Evans; North American traditional music from Lisa Null; Americana from Naked Blue; remarkable guitarist Yasmin Williams; the gypsy jazz of Orchester Praževica; and folk-funk-rockers Most Savage Gentlemen.

This alternative event will also highlight links to community organizations working for social justice, as well as popular crafts artisans featuring their work.

For local residents, we are also designing a “supper club” where discounts and specials offered by Mark’s Kitchen and El Golfo will be available for take-out.

Big thanks go out to Charlie Pilzer and Tonal Park for donated studio time, Takoma TV for access to its video archives, and to Montgomery County’s Arts and Humanities Commission for funding this year.

For more info and how to participate at TPFF.org.