The big week is finally here: the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival has completely taken over downtown Juneau, and It Is Awesome. (Of course, we’re all going to be completely exhausted by Monday morning, but that’s another story…)
The Jet Set Betties have been practicing, and we’re feeling fairly ready for our debut on the big stage. The streaming service provided by KTOO is fantastic – great sound, great camera work. You can tune in for our set LIVE through this link – we’re scheduled for 7:30 pm AK time (11:30 pm Eastern time) on Saturday night (4/13). Things sometimes run a little late though, so check out the program below to see what’s going on before us. (And – of course – feel free to tune in ANY time to hear all sorts of amazing performances. You never know what you’re gonna get!)
We know we’ll get an audio recording of our set, but I’m not sure about video. If you plan to watch the live stream – and – if you happen to be savvy enough to know how to capture a video recording of it while you’re watching, please do! We’d love to have a copy of it (unless something goes terribly wrong and we completely embarrass ourselves, then we’ll just make you swear to delete it).
I’m not kidding when I say this has taken over the whole downtown. In addition to a revolving door of musicians on the main stage (which in-and-of-itself requires a massive amount of planning and management to pull off!), there will be an energetic lineup of dance bands for 5+ hours every night this weekend in another building, and at least 5 bars downtown have also been hosting live bands every night since Monday. Plus people pulling chairs together in corners all over town to start their own jam session. I was already tired on Wednesday morning, hahaaaaa.
It’s Peak Juneau though – so many residents and visitors are out and about, having a great time. What a wonderful time to be here.
During Folk Fest you can start the evening listening to an ironic singer/songwriter surrounded by plants … 
… and then move to watching your friends Tom & Sarah sing their beautiful original songs on the mainstage … 
… followed by some fisher dudes singing 4-part acapella sea shanties … 
… and end your night with a heavy hard rock band at the Crystal Saloon.
Give em the full tilt boogie. Off to St George and Zion And Bruce with Hazel, be well
Exhausting just reading about it. Our drumming group was ther about twenty years ago.
Hi there -what an exciting expierence.
I set my Alarm clock for 5.25 a.m. this Morning, to be Right in time for the Jet Set Betties. So I layed cosily in my bed and listened to your Songs, broadcasted from Alaska. Incredible. I loved all Three Songs- I loved the idea of just Sing away ones troubles. And the Beatle Song I know of by Heart so I sang along. As early as that. Even being 76 years of age, there is still a first time possible.
Kayla and Matthew thank you for Sharing and keeping me informed.
Big hugs from Northern Germany🇩🇪😘👋Eike
Oh my goodness, Eike! Thank you so much for waking up so early to listen to us! How special to have you listening (and singing along!) all the way from Germany. We will sing for you in person at a better time when we see you next summer!