Bill McKibben [ Website ]

Bill McKibben is the most effective environmental activist of our age. Anyone interested in making a difference to our world can learn from him." - Tim Flannery, author of The Weather Makers

You won't see them on MTV but Barefoot Truth may be the biggest band you've never heard of (unless you caught their set at SolarFest 2008) and they are proof of the changing nature of the music business. With steady touring since 2007 and an amazing 5.5 million spins on Pandora they are bringing their optimistic roots rock to ever larger audiences. ThisIsModern calls their new release Threads, "The best independently released album of 2010". Mixing folk, rock, jazz, and reggae they sound like, well, Barefoot Truth.

"…right down to brass tacks, Capital Zen brings you where you want to go…"
-Ken Lytle, Radio Ugly

Forged in the PCB-laden waters of the Hudson River, Capital Zen's minds and music have mutated beyond genre classification. Fusing funk,punk,rock, and reggae into deep dance grooves, Capital Zen is all about getting people up and moving. Since 2004 Terry Scoville, Tommy Ryzuk and Rye Wylie have been making music together. The addition of Scott Hannay on keyboards in 2009 added a new layer of texture and color to the funk.

"Caravan of Thieves are too charming, too wry, and just too damn good to fly under anyone's radar."—Metro Spirit

Back at SolarFest by popular demand, Caravan of Thieves continues to stretch the parameters of acoustic swing and win immediate praise for their new and unique brand of gypsy flavored song writing and their high intensity show. The vocal harmonizing, acoustic guitar spanking husband and wife duo Fuzz and Carrie have extended their family to include fiery violinist Ben Dean and double bass madman, Brian Anderson to complete their colorful vision. Seeking inspiration from beyond the great divide, the quartet produces layers of Beatlesque vocals, driving rhythms, satirical, dramatic song writing and an overall circus of sound.

"Perhaps the best live band I have ever seen. An Entrain show is a beautiful, tribal, positive, uplifting experience that shouldn't be missed."—Jatson Cornish, Face Magazine

The Entrain sound is big, bouncy, and infectious as all getout. Serving up a gumbo of rock, blues, calypso, ska, zydeco, jazz, and funk, simmered in a little Bo Diddley beat, the Martha's Vineyard based group has been winning rave reviews since they began in 1993. Entrain's mission in the world is a simple one, to spread joy and promote a peaceful healthy planet through good vibe, high energy music, heavy on the drums. They are coming back to SolarFest for the third time.

"A red-hot way-cool free-flow fusion of World Music, Jazz, and Spoken Word."

Impulse Ensemble brings together three master musicians and composers of world music. Percussionist and poet Tony Vacca is usually found leading his World Rhythms Ensemble but occasionally takes time out to perform with the likes of Sting and Baaba Maal. Multi-instrumentalist Derrik Jordan often performs solo on the 5 string electric violin as SuperString Theory, as well as in numerous other bands. Jim Matus is the founder of world fusion groups Paranoise and Mawwal. His studies with the likes of Pat Methany and John Scofield inform his unique approach to the electric laoutar, a middle eastern lute. This is some extraordinary chemistry.

"The Guy Mendilow Band embodies world music at its best."—Cedar Rapids Gazette

With members from Israel, Argentina, Japan, and the US and the influences of Guy's life South Africa, Israel, and Brazil, it is no wonder the music is hard to pigeonhole. Sephardi cantica and Israeli peace songs meet Bahian street beats and blues. Add vocals in any of five languages, award winning overtone singing, a plethora of world instruments and you begin to get the picture. The band is a medium for Guy's ongoing work with international peacemaking groups such as Seeds of Peace and with myriad environmental organizations.

"A deft mix of literate folk, plaintive balladry, and plenty of modern-day ass-kicking."—Chronogram (album review)

Sara has been playing violin since the age of four, working her way through fiddle groups, , celtic bands, bluegrass hoe downs, studio sessions, and symphony orchestras. The next logical step was to assemble Daisycutter, drawn from the many and varied music scenes of New York City. They have been described as "acoustic and electric, agnostic and eclectic", and a little roots-rock, a bit of oldtime-newgrass, with flavors of world-beat jazz. Never one to be pigionholed, Sara will also be leading the poultry raising workshop at SolarFest.

Perpetual e-Motion begins with traditional dance tunes but proceeds to ramp them up with complex poly-rhythems, counter melodies, and lush chord structures. Respected fiddle teacher Ed Howe tears up the electric 5 string fiddle, using electronic looping to layer and orchestrate sound. and partner John Coté, also a respected fiddler, takes up guitar duties, playing through a synthesizer module for a wide palette of sounds, while simultaneously adding digeridoo and foot percussion. The result is a lush and complex music that defies all "duo" expectations. Perpetual e-Motion will be joined by caller Jeff Petrovitch on Saturday night for the wildly popular Night Contra Dance in the arena.

Call it what you will; celt-rock, or kilt-rock or sham-rock you can't ignore it. Originally started in 1995 as the band Whisky Before Breakfast by 6 college friends, Prydein has been playing the Celtic circuit for the better part of a decade in one form or another. Founding members, guitarist Aron Garceau and piper Iain Mac Harg have been friends the entire time and usually break up the band when it gets in the way of that friendship. Now Prydein is back with Andy Smith on bass and Caleb Bronz on drums and they are fully loaded. Their new disc Loud Pipes (save lives) pretty much says it all.

Born and raised downeast in Brooks, Maine, Kelly Ravin made his way to Burlington at the age of 18 to make music. Both as part of the band Lucy Vincent (now defunct) and solo he is one hard working road warrior. Last year the road brought him to SolarFest's annual Singer/Songwriter competition where he walked away with top honors. Kelly returns this year for his own Main Stage set of well crafted and seemingly timeless songs.

One of the most exciting groups to come out of Boston in recent memory ... a genre-mashing maelstrom of hot-blooded West African funk rhythms and scorching soul melodies unlike anything that's come before it.—Dan Bolles, Seven Days

In 2007 horn players Kalima Traver and Alex Toth (John Brown's Body) jammed with percussionist Craig Myers at an art opening in Burlington, The magic was potent and the now grown-to eight-member Rubblebucket Orchestra has been touring relentlessly and honing their afro-beat/James Brown/Talking Heads/Bjork flavored sound. People took notice and Rubblebucket won the 2009 Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year, was featured in Relix Magazine's "On The Verge: 5 Artists You Should Know." in December 2009 and they were chosen by SPIN Magazine as a "Must-hear artist from the 2009 CMJs."

"They don't remind me of A-ha! at all!" - Robin Chesnut-Tangermam

Back by popular demand! The SolarFest House Band brings together many of the area's top musicians for a dynamic musical extravaganza. Start with the core group of Jim Gilmour, Jeff Poremski, Jon Berman, Paul Carroccio, Jerry Dubeau, and Charlie Rockwell, poached from a variety of the best local bands. Season with performances by Laura Molinelli, Phil Henry, Duane Carlton, and Eric Pace. Add a dash of The Stereofidelics, Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, and Tim Chila. Stir well, sit back, and enjoy.

Every year talented sing/songwriters from around the country send SolarFest recordings of their original songs. Some are on discs, some are mp3s, some are cassettes recorded in the living room; they are all the dreams of music makers. The ten finalists are invited to the SolarFest stage to perform two songs for you and the judges. The top three will win prizes including cash and recording studio time. The First Place winner will also perform a full set at SolarFest 2011. Look for all of the ten finalists performing on the Family Stage.

"The Stereofidelics are like a five-hour energy shot for your ears." - John Liberty—Kalamazoo Gazette

The Stereofidelics are a high energy, original, retro-alt-rock band consisting of multi- instrumentalists Chris Padgett and Melissa McGinley. Chris lays down grooves, shreds guitar solos, tickles the piano ivories, sings lead and harmony, and stomps the floor bass pedals while Melissa drives the drum kit, sings lead and harmony, and rips up the violin. And that's in the first song. Based in the mountains North Carolina they tour all over the country and credit among their influences Paco de Lucia, Run DMC, Julie Andrews, and Salvador Dali. You know, and people like that.

Shooting Arrows at the Moon is Bow Thayer's latest album, without his usual band Perfect Trainwreck. Bow writes, "I can honestly say that this happened out of the Blue at my friend Kristina Stykos' Pepperbox Studio. What excites me about this album is the spontaneous informality of it all, there was no real intention or pressure to produce an album." Bow, Kristina, and award winning violinist Patrick Ross will bring their honest Vermont music to the SolarFest stage for the first time.

Rick DavisRick is delighted to return to SolarFest. He spent four years as a clown with Ringling Brothers Circus and has performed at Epcot Center, Radio City Music Hall, The White House, and on the Bill Cosby Show. For 27 years he has been touring colleges and festivals, teaching us all the skills we didn't learn in 5th grade.

Jackson Gillman [ Website ]

Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" magically transforms into a wide array of colorful characters. Song, dance, mime and/or sign language might be incorporated into his interactive comedy and stories - bringing any age audience along for a rollicking ride into his wildly imaginative worlds of creativity and fun. Much of Jackson's environmental repertoire reflects his ecology background from the College of the Atlantic. Shining through his extraordinary versatility is his bemused, warm-hearted honesty in his perceptions of life, astute and askew.

Spook Handy [ Website ]

"Spook really understands how to write a good song that says something important. Death Came Anyway is a great song!" —Pete Seeger

Spook Handy started out in this life on a path of respectable and predictable citizenship. But fresh out of college he turned down several lucrative job offers and bought his first guitar. Over 3000 gigs later Spook has a pocket full of songwriting awards and has performed his songs with the likes of Pete Seeger and Peter Yarrow. True to the company he keeps, Spook's songs are witty and courageous, informed by a desire for social justice and populated by a host of real and imagined friends. You could become one of these friends at Spook's songwriting workshop in The Solar Generation track on Saturday.

Slim Harrison [ Website ]

For 30 years, Slim Harrison has performed "Good Old Time Mountain Music" with the "Barnstormers String Band" and the "Sunnyland Band" at schools, festivals, hoedowns and throwdowns all over North America and around the world. He is a "Master Artist" with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts and full-time "Artist in Residence" with the Maryland State Arts Council. His repertoire of instruments includes Fiddle, Banjo, Resophonic Guitar, Jaws Harp, Spoons, Jug, Dulcimers, Native American Mouthbow, and his one of a kind "Kazooafone". Slim is also an accomplished Dance caller and Clogger.

John Porcino [ Website ]

Each year John Porcino spins some 200 performances, workshops and in-service trainings throughout the Northeast and beyond. His performances are a mix of stories and songs, sparked to life with warmth, humor, a playful touch of audience participation, a twist of music from around the world, and a message of caring for our planet and each other. John is co-editor of the book Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories of Peace, Justice and the Environment, and gives many performances and workshops on these themes for groups such as Educators for Social Responsibility, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, The Lacawac Wildlife Sanctuary (PA), The Clearwater Revival (NY), and The Presbyterian Family Services (KN).

Puppet Pageantry [ Website ]

Once again the AllTogetherNow! Puppet Troupe will bring to Solarfest a dramatic puppet performance offering humor, inspiration and insight into our human nature. The Troupe, led by artist Janice Walrafen, is a collection of people who, " in recognizing life's interdependence, dance, sing, and make merry."

Jody Scalise [ Website ]

"He was beyond fantastic… Some kids even got to hear me snort I laughed so hard."—Karla Gartsu, Children's Librarian, Southbridge MA

To call Jody Scalise a mime is like saying that Pete Seeger is a banjo player - technically correct, but it doesn't begin to capture the education, the storytelling, the teaching, singing, dancing , and above all, the inspiration he brings to his work. The children leave laughing, not realizing that they have just participated in a fantastic self-empowerment workshop. Check out his website for the impressive résumé, or better yet, check out a show.

The Swing Peepers [ Website ]

The Swing Peepers, a vocal-harmony and multi-instrument duo, featuring fun, earth-friendly and water-loving interactive songs and stories, The Swing Peepers perform lively and improvisational energetic World Folk. Instruments strummed, swung, and tapped include: guitars, mandolin, harmonica, accordion and egg-shaker. Many of their songs and stories are participatory, so come prepared to join in!!

Deborah "Spice"  Kleinmann

Deborah "Spice" Kleinmann has been singing songs on stage or in front of people since she was 9 years old.  Since then, she has sailed and sung on the Clearwater Boat on the Hudson River with Pete Seeger, worked for Wolftrap in Virginia teaching Headstart curriculum through Arts Integration, led songs at Farm and Wilderness camps for over 25 years, entertained many children of all ages at Earth Day Events, demonstrations of all sorts, libraries, senior centers, childcare programs, and her favorite.....around campfires.  She will entice you with her spirit and joy.....Come and enjoy and sing!!!!

Theater in the Woods

Theater in the Woods director Wheaton Squier, a veteran himself of many Theater in the Woods performances, looks forward to harnessing the boundless talents of the extended SolarFest family. They are bringing to life another fantastical tale by the wonderful children's book author Frank Asch, who has written many original scripts for Theater in the Woods. The performances have become a spectacle in themselves as hundreds of spectators follow the characters and the evolving story through the woods.

The Bogstompers [ Website ]

The Bogstompers have become a fixture at SolarFest, playing their oldtime string band music in the food court and out and around the festival. Back before Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs these high energy songs and tunes from the 1920s were real country music, and the first country music on the radio. The Bogstompers bring them to life on banjos, fiddle guitar, and rhythm toys.