The American Folk Festival

        After being dubious about going, I braved my anxiety and took up the offer to spend an afternoon at the American folk festival in Bangor. The weather and setting were perfect - blue skies and the Bangor waterfront parks.

        I didn't really know what to expect, as to me a folk festival would focus on folk music, however it was completely the opposite with music from around the world! Upon arriving we wandered for a while to see what was on, and decided on the 2 rivers stage, a small stage next to the waters edge. The grass was full when we got there, but we sat and listened to a lovely Irish band, who were incredible at playing the fiddle.
        Next up was my first experience of blue grass music, which is a mixture of country and folk music. The band that we watched were The James King Band, and they have been quoted saying "I think the beauty of bluegrass is that it's music that can reach people on so many different levels" and that is exactly what it did for me.
        We saw the next performers arriving, and automatically decided to stay and watch - The Chankas. The Chankas are a Peruvian scissor dance group, with two musicians and two dancers; although the dancers use their scissors are instruments to clap the rhythm. It was truly phenomenal. Their costumes, their dancing and the music.