Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (Tucson Folk Festival)
Free to the public since 1986, the Tucson Folk Festival is Arizona's largest free to attend music festival and one of the longest running folk music festivals in the country.
Category: 501(c) 3 Organization
Discipline: Music
Program Affiliations: Arts Foundation Grantees
About Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (Tucson Folk Festival)
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) began as a group of friends gathering regularly on Friday nights for potlucks and jammin’ in the kitchen. TKMA was established in 1986 to further public awareness and interest in acoustic music and other folk arts by promoting and producing the annual Tucson Folk Festival. The Tucson Folk Festival is one of the longest-running folk music festivals in the country and has grown to be Arizona’s largest free to the public music festival. The annual three-day event celebrates American Folk Music and all the wonderful variations, from Bluegrass to Blues, and Mariachi to Zydeco. This family-friendly festival is held in some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson. Featuring multiple stages of music and hundreds of performers, the festival annually entertains more than 15,000 fans coming from all over the Southwest. The annual festival also features food and craft vendors, a beverage garden, interactive music workshops, family shows, a young artist showcase for performers under 18, and the annual songwriting competition.
Matt Rolland
Preferred Pronouns: He / Him
president@tucsonfolkfest.org
480-516-4286
https://www.tucsonfolkfest.org/
Highlights of the 39th Annual Tucson Folk Festival
2024 Tucson Folk Festival
The 39th Annual Tucson Folk Festival is Arizona’s largest free to the public music festival and takes place April 5-7, 2024. This annual family-friendly festival is held in some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson. The event celebrates Americana and Folk Music traditions and all the wonderful variations, including bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, Celtic, zydeco, and various styles of Latin and Mexican music! Presented by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA).
The 2024 lineup included more than 155 performances by 450 musicians. 2024 Headliners included The Carnivaleros, Lisa Morales Band, Steve Poltz, Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson, Baba Marimba, The Cross Eyed Possum, Leslie Mendelson, Keith Secola, The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, and our family headliner, Desert Museum Family Band.
Highlights of our 38th Annual Tucson Folk Festival
2023 Tucson Folk Festival
The 38th Annual Tucson Folk Festival is Arizona’s largest free to the public music festival and takes place March 31 – April 1, 2023. This annual family-friendly festival is held in some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson. The event celebrates Americana and Folk Music traditions and all the wonderful variations, including bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, Celtic, zydeco, and various styles of Latin and Mexican music! Presented by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA).
The 2023 lineup included more than 135 performances by 300 musicians. 2023 Headliners included Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, The Fretless, The Brother Brothers, Kyshona, Justin Farren, Lisa Sanders & Brown Sugar, Ramsey Roberson, Hans Mayer, Mariachi Nuevo Azteca, and 100+ More Stage Performances.
Highlights of the 37th Annual Tucson Folk Festival
2022 Tucson Folk Festival
The 37th Annual Tucson Folk Festival is Arizona's largest free to the public music festival and takes place April 1-3, 2022. This annual family-friendly festival is held in some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson. The event celebrates Americana and Folk Music traditions and all the wonderful variations, including bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, Celtic, zydeco, and various styles of Latin and Mexican music! Presented by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA).
The 2022 lineup included more than 125 performances by 300 musicians. 2022 Headliners included Watkins Family Hour Featuring Sean Watkins & Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek ㆍ Vance Gilbert ㆍ Tish Hinojosa ㆍ Red Yarn ㆍ Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble ㆍ Cary Morin ㆍ Freddy & Francine ㆍ Chris Brashear & Peter MclaughlinㆍStillhouse Junkies ㆍ Raye Zaragoza ㆍ John Coinman Band ㆍ Gabriel Naïm Amor & Elizabeth Goodfellow ㆍ Ryanhood ㆍ JC & Laney ㆍ Liz & Pete ㆍ El Mariachi Tapatío De Tucson ㆍ Birds & Arrows.
