Dick Orleans Legacy -  
We celebrate Dick Orleans’ legacy with music and community. All proceeds from this free music festival go to fund scholarships for local creatives and supports future Friends of Folk Festivals.  

Did we say FREE ADMISSION? Yes, we did! Claim your spot early.  Be sure to bring chairs or blankets to sit and watch the entertainment. Share the news and encourage all your friends to join us for this wonderful community music festival.

​The Estes Arts District strives to carry the torch forward with Dick's goals in mind of encouraging new artists to perform. He brought a spotlight to new talents and encouraged ever evolving musical influences into the Friends of Folk style of entertainment. This style, encompassing both classic well loved music with fresh new voices, creates an exciting night of entertainment. 

A scholarship fund has been established with Dick’s passions in mind. Dick Orleans was always supporting others to pursue their arts, whether music or photography ­or anything! He inspired so many and we want to keep that energy going. 
​SCHOLARSHIPS
​To apply for the Dick Orleans Scholarship, fill out our simple application and submit for review.
Don't wait, Deadline June 14th...Submit your application Now.

LOCAL PERFORMERS
​Please follow the guidelines to schedule an audition. 2024 Auditions are now closed.  Thank you to everyone who submitted applications.  All 2024 participants have been contacted and all time slots are now filled. If you were not selected, we encourage you to apply next year to be considered for Friends of Folk 2025.

​SPONSORS, VENDORS, VOLUNTEER
If you would like to be a Sponsor, book a vendor table or Volunteer to help at the Friends of Folk ­Festival, please contact us.
Alleged Schedule - 2024
4:00 SnowBelt
4:40 Magic Dragon
5:35 Stepmother Nature
6:20 Future Joy
7:30 Chain Station
8:45 Shinyribs

Musical Headliners 2024

PicturePhoto:WYATT MCSPADDEN FOR SHINYRIBS, WITH PERMISSION

Shinyribs:
R&B, Blues, Funk, Soul
Shinyribs defies genres as a sonic melting pot of Texas Blues, New Orleans R&B funk, horn- driven Memphis Soul, country twang, border music, big band swing, and roots-rock.
The Austin-based nine-piece (sometimes 10-piece) supergroup is led by Kevin Russell, the charismatic frontman with colorful suits and extravagant shoes who continuously swaps out an electric guitar for a ukulele and never falls short of creating a cinematic experience with on- stage antics that often include him donning a light-up cloak or leading a conga line through the crowd.

​Chain Station:
​Jam Grass local favorite
​Chain Station is a 4-piece, high-energy, get ‘em out on the dance floor string band born high in the mountains but based in Denver, Colorado. Their music is well-steeped in Americana roots with vocal harmonies that are high, lonesome, and tight. Their picking ranges from lightning-fast to mountain mellow. A bluegrass band that would satisfy a picky old-timer and delight fans of newgrass, a delicate balance indeed. ​
Picture
Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Future Joy:
Funk Hybrid
Future Joy is a Future-Funk hybrid duo hailing from wherever their mobile RV stage is parked. 
Planting their home base roots in both Denver, CO and St. Petersburg, FL has allowed Emily Cooper & Zach Simms to travel the country playing shows and connecting all the cities in between and beyond. Blending elements of funk, house, bass, pop, drum and bass, hip-hop, techno, jazz, dubstep and more; Future Joy takes the listener on a joyous adventure with no musical boundaries. Both artists DJ, sing, and play keyboard while Zach shreds tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones in the key of fun. ​
PicturePhoto Courtesy of Marsha Hobert

Magic Dragon:
American Folk
Magic Dragon is a live music tribute to the hit recordings of Peter, Paul and Mary.

Folk music means that audience participation is strongly encouraged. After all, folk music was written for and about the people, and it is meant to be celebrated and performed BY the people.

Brad Fitch covers both guitars and Paul's vocal parts.
Melinda Morris covers Mary's vocal parts. 
Steve Tice covers bass and Peter's vocal parts.

Stepmother Nature:
Rockin'
Stepmother Nature has been buzzing around Estes Park these last few months. Chances are you've heard this electric soul music around town recently. All local musicians, Stepmother Nature brings the heat to every performance. Get ready to rock! 

SnowBelt

SnowBelt
​Old-time, bluegrass, and folk
Local to the Estes Valley, SnowBelt plays Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country utilizing fiddles, guitars, and banjos. Come get your twang on with SnowBelt.
*This schedule and performers are subject to change.

VENDORS:

Good nosh by gosh, it's gonna be good!
​​Tasty Adult Beverages from our local Craft Beverage Establishments are available for purchase.
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​​Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co.
Rock Cut Brewing Co.
Estes Park Brewery
Snowy Peaks Winery
Elkins Distillery
Avant Garde Aleworks
Estes Park Distilling Co
All proceeds from this event benefit the Estes Arts District. No outside alcoholic beverages will be allowed in this public park and festival grounds.

We are honored to receive support from:
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​​We send a big THANK YOU out to our local sponsors who continue to support making this event possible:
2024 SPONSORS:
Town of Estes Park
Community Foundation of Northern Colorado
Kind Coffee
Estes Arts District
Visit Estes Park
Twin Owls Steakhouse
Avant Garde Aleworks
Green Jeep Tours
Earthwoood Galleries of Colorado
Snowy Peaks Winery
Trailborn Mountain Outpost
Tom Thomas Realtor First Colorado Realty
Twisted Griffin
Art Studio Tour
Aspen & Evergreen Gallery 
​Rations - Mobile Provisions
Estes Valley Library
Susan Fereday State Farm
Mary Murphy First Colorado Realty 
Rocky Mountain Channel
SnowyGrass Music Festival
AirBits, now Vistabeam
Estes Park Rent-All
Estes Park News

You can view the 2020 Friend of Folk CoVid Edition fall concert series.

The 2020 CoVid edition concert series can be viewed on YouTube TV. The Live stream was recorded by The Rocky Mountain Channel/Nick Molle Productions. 
This event is created and planned by the Estes Arts District. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer to help out.
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