'Folkie Fest' Heading To East Hampton Soon

WAINSCOTT, NY — It's time for some folk, folks: LTV Studios will host "Folkie Fest" on Sunday, January 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The lineup will feature local artists including Claudia Jacobs, Lina Maxine, Jeffery Bragman, Robert Bruey and Bart Woelk.

Refreshments will be available and proceeds will benefit Long Island Cares. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Here's some information about the artists participating:

Claudia Jacobs has been celebrated as "Long Island's Favorite Soul Singer" (Ll Press) and "one of the New York area's finest female singer- songwriters" (John Platt, WRUV). "Equally comfortable singing, writing and interpreting music in the blues, Jazz, folk and country-ish traditions, few performers can fill a stage so completely with joy, fun, humor, hope, sass and pathos. She can be seen throughout the year at listening houses solo and various musical configurations including her best known ensembles, the Claudia Jacobs Band and CIs Say Hey Crew," organizers said.

Meanwhile, the journey of making their original music has brought together LA born singer Lina Maxine and Dean, a guitarist from London, After touring across the UK in 2022 supporting Kasabian's frontman, the two have relocated to New York where they have written, produced and released the EP "You're My Only Friend" in June 2023, along with filming and producing all related-video content themselves.

Lina and Dean started playing shows across New York City and Long Island, including performances at the Stephen Talkhouse with their full band featuring Dean on his D'Angelico guitar and keys, a pedal steel player, drums and bass.

"Inspired by the ocean and the vibrant music community on the Island, the two are writing and producing a new EP full of Lina's intricate vocal arrangements and Dean's melodious riffs and plan to take it on the road from New York to Texas in the summer," event organizers said.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Jeff Bragman's first guitar was a rented orange Sunburst, which kept him busy through the winter.

"He first performed in show-and-tell, some notes on two strings, which met with mixed reception. Eventually, he learned cowboy chords, in time to follow the folk music scene. He began writing late, and his songs tell stories. His debut album some years back was "Goodbye Baby", and he recently released an EP, "Any Highway".

"His young son once asked why he sang sad songs; he told him it was because they made him happy. The heartbreak songs seem to put things in place, and picking up the guitar and talking old regrets is still soothing," organizers said.

Singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Robert Bruey lives on Long Island's North Fork.

"His roots and how they have helped to shape him are reflected in the original music on his CD, 'Carousel' and are even more evident during a live performance," event organizers said. "Robert Bruey's music is honest and real, raw and meaningful, gritty and naturalistic. His unique finger- picking style — with notes carefully left alone to be heard in the moment — provides a perfect complement for his earthy, soulful voice and the meaningful, introspective lyrics of his songs."

Songwriting has always been an entertaining and therapeutic pastime for Bart Woelk.

"He is a latecomer to the performance scene, playing mostly local open mics and intimate settings. After retiring from his day-job two years ago, he began transforming his hobby into performance. Elements of folk, country, pop, and blues styles can be heard as Bart attempts to express interests, observations, and grievances with life. 40 years of songwriting and a handful of garage band performances have led him to this joyful opportunity to share his music and insights with you," event organizers said.