Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, sponsored by Old Town School of Folk Music—one of Lincoln Square’s anchoring institutions—made for a wonderful weekend. Under sunny skies, north centralites gathered to eat, drink and hear live music from bands representing a variety of global genres. These neighborhood festivals happen almost every weekend in Chicago during the summer. Given that this one was a three block walk from our home, took place in Welles Park on a huge grassy field and cost but $5 (suggested) to get in, it’s easy to see how Folk & Roots is our clear favorite.

Holmes Brothers in Welles Park

Sunday’s lineup:
Devil in a Woodpile
Sunnyside Up
Savoy Doucet Cajun Band
Redd Volkaert
Holmes Brothers
Subdudes

Acts we saw on Saturday:
Chicago Afrobeat Project
Les Yeux Noirs
Bembeya Jazz
Los Amigos Invisibles