With a folk-filled line-up, a slew of activities and a great venue, 91.3 FM WYEP 's 13th annual Summer Music Festival will turn Schenley Plaza into a mini-Bonnaroo.
Headliner Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea's music kind of sounds like a slew of lullabies -- dark and slightly ominous lullabies that might give you nightmares. But the heavy freak-folk sound fits Atkins well. She's got a sweet, crooning Jenny Lewis-like voice that mixes and blends with minor-filled guitar parts and broodingly slow Roy Orbison-style instrumentals.
Opening performer Sarah Harmer, by contrast, will lighten things up with her endearingly sweet and perky folk music. Joshua James will also take the stage with his Southern-tinged folk music. Pittsburgh's The Boogie Hustlers round things out with their lively blues.
While the musical performances will begin at 6 p.m. on Fri., June 25, WYEP has other entertainment lined up starting at 4 p.m. Local crafters will set up shop near the plaza, on the lawn of the Carnegie Library, as a part of the I Made It! Market, with 35 artists selling their handmade bags, paintings, jewelry and other crafts.
WYEP expanded this year's festival to include little music-lovers as well. A puppet show performed inside the Carnegie Library will be complemented outdoors by kids' activities including a play area, hands-on music activities and crafts, as well as rides on Schenley's well-known carousel.
WYEP Summer Music Festival 4-11 p.m. Fri., June 25. 4100 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free. All ages. 413-381-9131 or www.wyep.org
