Karen Ponzio Photos.
Lara Herscovitch and The Highway Philosophers.
Lara Herscovitch sang through her sound check, making up lyrics apropos for the day and place: “We are not in a monsoon. It’s a beautiful day.”
Not a drop of rain was to be found on Saturday at the CT Folk Fest and Green Expo, though the heat and humidity was of the late summer variety. A full day and night of music and spoken word on two stages, as well as hourly activities for children and adults, food, drink, and a multitude of vendors awaited visitors behind the stone walls of Edgerton Park. This reporter took in a third of the acts that performed from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Herscovitch was no stranger to the festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. On this day she performed with The Highway Philosophers, which included Kevin James on keys, Pierce Campbell on bass, and John Rispoli on drums. Steve Winters, host of Profiles in Folk on WSHU, introduced Herscovitch by highlighting her accomplishments, such as being a former CT State Troubadour and published author, and noted her “deep belief in social justice and community.”
“Highway Philosophers” is also the name of the 2020 album by Herscovitch, which she shared multiple selections from, including the title song, “Careful Porcelain Doll,” and “Sailing to Newfoundland.” She dedicated that song to “every single person, wherever you find yourself, right here, right now, on the hero’s journey.”
The song’s lyrics — “Everything breaks ‘til it learns how to bend / Hang on tight / This is the ride of your life” — were just a few of the many powerful words Herscovitch offered that not only felt like a respite from the heat, but an affirmation of the strength and resilience we all need to get through. Some attendees were inspired to dance throughout the band’s set and brought smiles to all of those around them.
A trio of music fans dancing.
While Herscovitch and the Highway Companions were heading into the second half of their set on the Kaston Main Stage, Isabella Mendes was heading into the first half of hers on the Brewster Stage, located down the hill toward the front of the park near the Green Kids Village, where a multitude of youth-centric activities were set up.
A few of those kids took to dancing to the music created by Mendes and Dinho, a vocalist and guitarist who Mendes said was “from Branford via Brazil” and who was joining her for the first time. Mendes took on vocals, keys, and occasionally a shaker to bring life to standards from the bossa nova realm, such as “Girl from Ipanema,” as well as a selection of sambas that had even the non-dancers bopping along in their seats.
“Are there any Brazilians in the house?” she asked, and got a couple of responses. “How many enjoyers of Brazilian music?” she then asked with a laugh, and got a few more responses. One would be hard pressed to not become a fan of Brazilian music after hearing Mendes’ and Dinho’s set, as they offered not just smooth and scintillating vocals, but also intricate yet playful melodies and beats that made you feel as if you were on vacation in a far away land. She also praised the festival and the New Haven community while explaining the meaning of a song that spoke of not remaining in solitude, noting how the festival exemplified the best of how people in the area came together.
Back on the main stage, Lizzie No came forth accompanied by Barry Stephenson on bass and Will Greene on guitar. The New York City-based singer-songwriter jumped right in and captured the hearts of the audience with a set of songs that married a loving look at past experiences with a hopefulness for the future. She switched out between guitar and harp throughout the set, receiving applause and cheers for songs like “Pity Party” and “Niagara,” which she said was inspired by a panic attack. She reminded everyone that we all need to stop and take a moment every now and then.
“Take care of yourself,” she told the crowd. “Take a sip of water.”
She also shared that she had a new album coming out soon, and one of the songs on it, “The Heartbreak Store,” was inspired by an image she had of a pawn shop where you could bring stuff you didn’t want any more but you weren’t sure if you wanted to throw away. “Bring your memories, his house keys,” she sang, as a slight breeze stirred in the trees surrounding the main stage area where even more attendees had set up chairs and blankets to watch the show while noshing on the multitude of items available from food trucks such as Mamoun’s, P&M Whitney, and Lalibela.
As music wafted up from the Brewster Stage between two of her songs, No shouted, “That band sounds dope!” while also acknowledging the “great job” CT Folk did with not only curating the bands performing throughout the day and night, but also the supportive staff that made everything from the sound to the set up just right for everyone.
That “dope” band happened to be local favorites The Bargain, who had begun their set about halfway through Lizzie No’s. With roses strewn across the stage, Frank Critelli raised his hands in the air and gave praise in song. In the midst of their set, he turned the mics over to his bandmates to perform their own songs. Muddy Rivers was joined by wife Chandra — who is the other half of their duo called Still Waters — to sing “Little Life” in joyful harmony, and Lawson performed one of his fun and frisky solo tunes as well.
Critelli returned, of course, and in between songs waxed lyrical about the festival and the people involved in it. The heat and humidity could not be beat; however, among the vendors of clothing, books, and jewelry, the socially conscious organizations offering assistance and information, and the numerous spoken word and music fans eager for one more outdoor show as the summer came through its final days, there was a community of people who know that change is constant, and that we have to be a part of that change while also grabbing on to these types of events, and moments, whenever we can.
“Alright, here we go, things are gonna change and we’re gonna change them more,” sang Critelli. After the set was over, he passed those roses out to the crowd around them.
