“Reclaiming Folk: Celebrating People of Color in Folk Music” is a free music festival taking place from Feb. 29 to April 21. The festival is organized by Naomi Westwater, a “queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter from Massachusetts.”

The goal of the festival is to acknowledge and honor the roots of traditional folk music. This particular style of music is often romanticized as a reflection of the American experience and has too often cast aside the stories of the communities that played a vital role in shaping the genre. As such, this festival creates the space for musicians of color to tell the stories of their past and craft our collective future. 

“Reclaiming Folk” is composed of numerous concerts all over the greater Boston area, making the message and community of the festival accessible to folks all over Massachusetts. Each concert includes performances by various artists identifying as Black, Indigenous and people of color, as well as a discussion portion. Through this program, the festival is more than just a space to enjoy music — it is also an opportunity for artists and audiences alike to engage in dialogues, reflect on the meanings of the music and foster connections with each other.

The festival will be coming to our very own community, with a 90 minute concert at the Waltham Public Library. This performance will feature musicians Stephanie McKay and the festival’s creator, Naomi Westwater. We hope you will mark your calendar for an evening of music, culture and community on March 28 at 6 p.m.!