The Old Town School of Folk Music takes its eclectic programming outdoors this weekend for the ninth annual Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, which features two days of music in Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside. As usual, just about everything outside of rock, jazz, and classical music is represented: international touring musicians dominate the main stage, while locals command the other spots. One stage is dedicated to the school’s massive crew of instructors, another to dancing, and a third to kids; attendees are invited to take part in the jam sessions at the gazebo stage. Most of the artists at the fest have played Chicago in the past year or two–many of them at the Old Town School itself–but a few promising acts are making their local debuts, most notably the Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone and Texas honky-tonk singer James Hand. A $5 donation is requested. –Peter Margasak
Noon Spontaneous folk music
Noon Karen & the Caulfields
2:30 Chris Farrell
5:00 Cathy Norden
7:30 BLT
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Noon Nago Yoga
