Woodstock, NY – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) invites you to join him at the Third Drum Boogie Festival, which will be held on September 7th from 10:00am to 8:00pm at the Andy Lee Field in Woodstock. The Assemblymember will be introducing the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston (POOK) and Energy Dance Company at 11:30am.
“I encourage residents to attend this free event featuring excellent performances by skilled musicians,” said Cahill. “The Drum Boogie Festival aids in the flourishing of the already prodigious musical culture in our area.”
The Drum Boogie Festival originated in 2009 and was held again in 2011. It was organized by Garry Kvistad, CEO of Woodstock Chimes, to add to the arts and culture available in Ulster County. Assemblymember Cahill helped to secure funding for the first Festival through a $40,000 grant. Recently, he helped the Festival obtain additional funding, which is pending, for the operation of the Festival and for the construction of a portable, permanent stage.
This third iteration of the Festival will feature a diverse array of well-known local artists. Listeners will encounter the music from around the world, performed by Cobu (Japanese Taiko), Simon Shaheen (Middle Eastern), Mandara (African), and In Unity (Native American). They will also hear the percussion group Nexus, of which Kvistad is a member, jazz great Jack DeJohnette, a joint presentation by POOK and Energy Dance, the Great American Fife and Drum Band, the eclectic Beatbox Guitar, and the NYU Steel Drum Ensemble. The day will conclude with the Midnight Ramble Band, created by Woodstock’s much-missed Levon Helm.
“I am glad to lend my support to an event that does so much to encourage the artistic culture of our area,” said Cahill. “We are fortunate to live in an area filled with diverse musical talents. I look forward to an enjoyable day of exceptional music.”
