From Nov. 17 through 20, Kent returns to its roots culturally and musically when the 44th Kent State Folk Festival presents four days of concerts and workshops in a celebration of traditional and contemporary folk music. The festival begins with an evening of Brazilian music and dance at The Kent Stage on Wednesday, Nov. 17, and finishes up Nov. 20 with favorites Eddie From Ohio with Vienna Teng and The Cave Singers with Secret Sisters and the Dreadlock Dave and John Welton Duo.

Last years' events included hands-on opportuntiies.

Most main stage concerts will be held at The Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St. in downtown Kent. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Kent Stage, Woodsy's Music and Spin-More Records, by phone at 330- 677-5005 and online at www.KentStage.org.

The Cave Singers concert on Nov. 20 takes place at the Kent Student Center Ballroom. Tickets for this concert are available through Ticketmaster with most fees waived when purchased at the Kent State MAC Center.

The festival begins on Nov. 17 with Brazilian music at The Kent Stage featuring Luca Mundaca. A self-taught musician, Mundaca specializes in samba and bossa nova and has had her work in movies and TV shows. Also on the program, Brazilian guitarist Moises Borges, the drumming group Samba Joia and capoeira (a combination of dance and martial arts) with a group led by Cleveland's Ismail Douglas.

On Thursday, Nov. 18, singer/songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield returns to her hometown as the evening's headliner. Now an international touring artist known for songs filled with honest emotion, Mayfield has her roots in the Northeast Ohio folk scene. Kent is also a familiar stop for former street musician Tim Easton. The Akron native and Firestone High School grad now calls Joshua Tree, Calif., home. Michigan-based Frontier Ruckus opens.

Nov. 19 will be a busy day in downtown Kent as Folk Alley 'Round Town fills 35 venues throughout the city with free music. Performances begin at 11:30 a.m. and are scheduled to continue until 1 a.m. Nov. 20. Participating artists include Ryan Humbert and Emily Bates at 157 Lounge, Lisa and Heather Malyuk at Anthony's Koffee and Cakes, Hey Mavis at The Black Squirrel Gallery, Jon Mosey at Franklin Square Deli, the Kidney Brothers at the Venice, the TwistOffs at Water Street Tavern, Hal Walker at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent and many others.

Friday's schedule also includes a special main stage show at The Kent Stage. Grammy winners ShawnColvin and Loudon Wainwright III share the bill for an evening of insightful and entertaining music. Pop hit-maker Colvin has returned to her singer/songwriter roots, aligning herself with, among others, Americana artists Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller. Wainwright has peppered his storied career with clever and humorous music that can turn heart-wrenching in a moment. His latest projects include last year's Grammy-winning Charlie Poole project and collaborating on music for the film Knocked Up.

The festival concludes on Saturday, Nov. 20, with 34 free workshops and two main stage concerts. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kent State Student Center, workshops bring the world of folk to life as the best regional artists share their skill and knowledge about a variety of musical techniques. The day begins with open lessons. Scheduled topics focus on banjo, fiddle, guitar, ukulele, hula, old-time music, bawdy songs, contra dance, clogging, shape note singing and more. At 5 p.m., the Kiva plays host to the annual talent contest. Entries are still being accepted, -email David Fuente at fuente@wksu.org for details.

Finale Saturday evening concerts take place at The Kent Stage and the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The vocal-centric Eddie From Ohio brings its unique blend of harmonies and acoustic instrumentation to The Kent Stage at 8 p.m. Singer/songwriter/pianist Vienna Teng opens. In the Ballroom, a triple bill of the Cave Singers, the Secret Sisters and local jamband favorites, the Dreadlock Dave and John Welton Duo takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Rising from the ashes of discarded bands playing the Seattle scene, the Cave Singers have quickly gained recognition for a neo-folk sound that is roots music personified. Discovered and produced by T Bone Burnett, the Secret Sisters also take a page out of the past as rockabilly reborn.

Festival support is provided by Kent State University, Dominion East Ohio, Cascade Auto Group, Marc's and Kashi, Audio Technica, Seagrams Escape, the city of Kent, PARTA and Great Lakes Brewing Company with media support by Scene.

For additional information, contact Ann VerWiebe at 330-672-9153 or verwiebe@wksu.org .