Local artists to perform in popular folk music fest
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Aficionados of traditional music will once again gather at Paramount Ranch in rural Agoura on Sun., May 18 to socialize and enjoy acoustic melodies.

The daylong, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Festival, founded in 1961, attracts hundreds of musicians each year.

"The festival is one of the best of its kind because there are so many bluegrass and Americana music supporters in this area," said Brian Campbell, a member of the Simon Pure Bluegrass Band that won first place in a competition at the festival in 2006.

This year, Campbell and his wife, Laurie, along with band members Tom Robison and Bob Dolan of Thousand Oaks, Ron Miller of Simi Valley and Jarrett Lesko of Burbank have been invited to entertain the audience on the festival's main stage from 5:10 to 5:40 p.m.

"Paramount Ranch is an ideal location for the one-day festival. The organizers do a terrific job of putting on an event with something for everyone," said Campbell, pastor of the Gateway Church in Agoura Hills.

Ashley Broder, a Camarillo resident and graduate of the High School at Moorpark College, performed regularly in fiddle contests, ultimately winning the Western Open Picking Championships in 2003 and 2004.

She went on to collaborate with world-renowned mandolinist Mike Marshal on his method books, taught at the Mandolin Symposium in California and played in a number of area bands while studying classical violin and cello in college.

Now Broder and her partner, Jamie Laval, tour all over the U.S. and Scotland to perform a blend of Celtic and bluegrass music.

The duo will be featured on the main stage of the festival from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. on the Railroad stage where playoffs and workshop performances will also take place.

The folk event showcases more than 100 singers and instrumental competitors, professional performers and improvised groups.

While contestants and featured musicians perform on one of the three stages, visitors are invited to bring their own instruments to partake in improvised jam sessions that materialize throughout the day.

The outdoor, noncommercial setting enables visitors to experience the joys of acoustic music and folk song and dance, organizers said.

Visitors may also participate in arts and crafts activities and join in folk dancing lessons.

People may bring their own picnic lunches or can purchase food from on-site vendors.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for ages 10 to 17 and 65-plus and are free for children under 10.