Above: A girl hula hoops at the 2014 Summer Hoot at the Ashokan Center. Photo by Rosalind Dickinson. (This image is featured on one of the covers of our 2015 Catskills Outdoor Guide.)
Three days of concerts, music making, camping and camaraderie at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge begin today, Friday, Aug 21, during the center's annual Summer Hoot festival.
The weekend features lots of local musical luminaries including Amy Helm, Elizabeth Mitchell, 22-year-old fiddling phenom Dylan Foley, songwriters Ira and Laurie McIntosh and the Ashokan Center's own Jay Ungar and Molly Mason and Mike + Ruthy.
Big acts visit the rustic outdoor stages, too. There will be clog dancing by Vanaver Caravan, jams from Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, banjo virtuosity by Tony Trischka, songs from Loudon Wainwright, reggae from The Big Takeover and an appearance by folk music legend Baby Gramps from Seattle.
You don't just sit and listen: juggling, songwriting workshops and bring-your-own instrument jams are some of the interactive activities on tap. Kids are enthusiastically welcome.
Summer Hoot. 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge. 845-657-8333. ashokancenter.org. homeofthehoot.com.
