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? 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.

LOCAL PERFORMERS
​Please follow the guidelines to schedule an audition. Must complete process by April 15th.

​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.

2023 - Planning in Progress

Musical Headliners 2022​

​Aaron LaCombe:
​Americana
​A Michigan native,  Aaron now finds himself writing songs  in the Hill Country of Texas when he's not out on the road singing them.  He follows in the great Texas tradition of turning  a life of trials and travels into musical vignettes, often as somber as they are vivid.

​The Sweet Lillies Band:
​String-Americana
​The Sweet Lillies' music is, first and foremost, heartfelt and collaborative.Those defining traits are given life by the trio of musicians making up The Sweet Lillies - Julie Gussaroff, Becca Bisque, and Dustin Rohleder - who have combined their individual strengths together to deliver powerful narratives of life in song.
​With their acoustic string-band lineup of guitar, viola, and upright bass given flight by ethereal, vocal harmonies that float like a dream, the Sweet Lillies' music has an old-time soul with a forward-looking eye.
The Sweet Lillies have incorporated all of their cumulative life-experiences into their music, their songwriting, and their artistry, crafting an uncommonly-beautiful style they have christened “String-Americana” - a nod to the band’s all-encompassing musical tastes and willingness to experiment with genres. 

​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. ​

​The Reminders:
Soul - Hip Hop
​The Reminders are a rare and remarkable musical duo seamlessly blending soulful sounds and roots music with insightful messages and thoughtful lyrics. The group consists of Brussels-born emcee Big Samir and Queens-born emcee/ vocalist Aja Black, a collective creative force that’s hard to beat. Big Samir weaves intricate rhythmic patterns with a bilingual French/English flow, displaying his street-smart credibility in both his lyrics and cool demeanor. This is beautifully complimented by Aja Black's confident delivery, diverse cadences, and unique vocal stylings. The two have an undeniable magical chemistry as they share more than lyrical abilities and stages; the couple shares a partnership in both music and life as Samir and Aja have been married for almost a decade.

​The Burroughs:
Sweaty Soul music, 9-piece brass band
​Steeped in classic soul standards and outfitted with modern flair, The Burroughs are a nine piece band with a powerhouse sound that has been electrifying audiences across Colorado and beyond. ... The Burroughs' newest release “Zero Sum Game” marries an uplifting message with infectious melodic hooks.

Alleged Schedule 2022

*This schedule and performers are subject to change.
​2:00 WELCOME

2:05 NEILSON & NICHOLSON

2:30 WESLEY SCOTT 

2:55 LEVI CARPMAN TRIO

3:20 AARON LACOMBE

4:10 SWEET LILLIES

5:15 CHAIN STATION

6:45 THE REMINDERS

8:30 THE BURROUGHS

VENDORS:

Good nosh by gosh, it's gonna be good!
​​Tasty Adult Beverages available for purchase from local Craft Beverage Establishments of Estes Valley
Picture
​​Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co.
Rock Cut Brewing Co.
Estes Park Brewery
Snowy Peaks Winery
Elkins Distillery
Avant Garde Aleworks
Estes Park Distilling Co

We are honored to receive support from:
​​
We send a big THANK YOU out to our local sponsors who continue to support making this event possible:
2022 SPONSORS:
Laura Jane Musser Fund
Town of Estes Park
Bohemian Foundation
Community Foundation of Northern Colorado
Kind Coffee
​Quality Inn
Estes Arts District
Visit Estes Park
Avant Garde Aleworks
Snowy Peaks Winery
​SnowyGrass
​Rambo's Longhorn Liquor Mart
Tom Thomas Realtor First Colorado Realty
Heidi Riedesel Madison & Co. Properties
Otter Cares
Village Thrift Shop
​Rations - Mobile Provisions
Mary Murphy Coldwell Banker Estes Village Properties, Ltd 
Rocky Mountain Channel
Estes Park Rent-All
Estes Park News
Friends of Folk 2021 -YouTube Link to live recording

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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