Jump In: Folk
Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival: A particularly jam-happy delight, with Rhonda Vincent, the Grascals, Peter Rowan, and more. (For the best list of regional bluegrass fests, visit bbu.org). May 29-June 1,Preston, Conn. 860-886-1944, strawberrypark.net
Al Kooper Rockabilly Trio: Just the thought of the legendary '60s picker riffing on rockabilly makes you want to tie-dye your blue-suede shoes. June 14, Club Passim, 617-492-7679, clubpassim.org
Rickie Lee Jones: The preternaturally cool California folk-popster does a residency at Somerville's hippest listening bar. June 19, 26, and July 3, Johnny D's, 617-776-9667, johnnyds.com
SummersDay Revels: The Christmas Revels folks come out to play, with a global extravaganza of music, storytelling, circus performers, and summer ritual. June 21-22, HarborWalk and Boston Children's Museum, 617-972-8300, revels.org
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet: Uncle Earl's sublimely quirky banjoist creates sweet fusion and mystery with Béla Fleck, Casey Driessen, and Ben Sollee. July 17, Boarding House Park, Lowell, 978-275-1829, lowellsummermusic.org
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival: For songwriter fans and folk dancers, this is the Northeast's hottest hillside gathering. Performers include Chris Smither, Lori McKenna, Dar Williams, Eileen Ivers, Red Molly, and Crooked Still. July 24-27, Hillsdale, N.Y., 866-325-2744, falcon ridgefolk.com
Lowell Folk Festival: The country's largest free folk festival feels like a grand American block party of regional and ethnic traditions. Acts include the Lonesome River Band, blues pianist Henry Gray, Mighty Sam McCain, and the Skatalites. July 25-27, Lowell, 978-970-5000, lowellfolk festival.org
The American Folk Festival: Music gourmand Doug Ashford says that for sheer mechanics - structure, sound, staging, and creature comforts - this is his favorite festival. Performers include Jesse McReynolds, of Jim and Jesse fame, Quebecois wunderkinds Genticorum, haunting young Norwegian singer Benedicte Maurseth, and Moroccan trance-music star Hassan Hakmoun. Aug. 22-24, Bangor, Maine, 207-992-2630, american folkfestival.com
SCOTT ALARIK 