Festivals in Slovakia and Czech (Part 2)

In previous post I wrote about country festivals in Slovakia. In this post, I´d like to introduce you next festivals in Slovakia.

In the end I bring you calendar of must known country and folk festivals in Slovakia, together with dates, places and links on their websites.


DOBROFEST

This festival is the oldest fest in Slovakia. The first time we could visit it in 1992 (that's means this fest is older than Slovakia, because Slovak Republic was established in 1.1. 1993, when Czechoslovakia was divided).

This festival is devoted to memory of John Dopyer (1893-1988). He was born in Trnava, Slovakia, but in youth (1908) he immigrated to US. He invented resophonic or resonator guitar – DOBRO. There were many famous dobro players to pay a tribute to his memory, such as music band Blue Highway (US), Jerry Douglas (US), Bob Brozman(US), Rob Ickes(US), Randy Kohrs(US), Peter Rowan(US), Mike Auldridge(US), trio Cox(US), Clifford & Bartley (US), Zubot & Dawson (Canada), Dave Peabody (GB), Papa George (GB), Gypsy Dave Smith (Australia), Ken Emerson (Havai) and many others from continental Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Netherland, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Polland, Hungary, Czech Bulgary and Slovakia of course).

Dobro or resophonic guitar – the first time dobro was found in 20-tieth of last century in US.

Many people there still think that this instrument is original American public instrument. From US Dobro came abroad and extremely changed sound of the popular music.


FOLKOVANIE POD SKALKOU

In the last weekend of July, go to the XII year of Country and Folk Fest There will be in Liptovský Hrádok. It's small town in the north part of Slovakia There is Aqua Park near, you can go to relax there and spend nice hours in the warm water. Or visit High Tatras, which are also near).

In this festival singers or bands (country, folk, bluegrass or some similar styles) can come to play and introduce their own production.


FOLKOVANIE S ČERNOU HOROU

In the same time you can be also in the other action. Also in Liptovský Hrádok.


BLUEGRASS FEST

Bluegrass came from US. It was created to mix different music styles, which immigrants brought with themselves to new land. Characteristic instruments are banjo, mandolin, violin, guitar, contrabass, dobro. Last year there was the famous American bluegrass lady Claire Lynch (USA). She opened the festival.


FEST DOBRÉ BOHUNICE

Festival of a small music forms. Last year there were many guests from more than 12 countries (3 continents).

The main target of this fest is support of Slovak bands.


BAŽANT POHODA

This isn't country or folk festival, but it's very famous and popular fest. I could say POHODA is the largest festival in Slovakia. Larger than Country Lodenica.

Calendar of some festivals in Slovakia:

Name	Date	Place
Wilsonic	June, 6. 2008	Bratislava
Bluegrassfest	June, 10. - 11. 2008	Bratislava
Junifest	June, 13. – 22. 2008	Bratislava
Streetfest	June, 20. - 21. 2008	Malacky
Truck Country	June, 20. – 22. 2008	Piešťany
Fajn Fest	June, 22. 2008	Bratislava
Guitarfest	June, 23. - 28. 2008	Bratislava
Country Mlyn	June, 26. – 28. 2008	Malacky
Sigord 2007	June, 22.- 23. 2008	Prešov
Radimovksá Šopa	June, 22. - 24. 2008	Radimov
Dobrofest	June, 26. - 28. 2008	Trnava
Topvar Rock Fest	June, 27. - 28. 2008	Zelená Voda, Nové Mesto nad Váhom
Festival Revište	June, 27. - 28. 2008	Žarnovica
Hodokvas	July, 4. - 5. 2008	Piešťany
Country Stopa	July, 11. - 12. 2008	Dudince
Pohoda	July, 18. - 19. 2008	Trenčín
Drotária Fest	July, 20. - 22. 2008	Turzovka
Fest Dobré Bohunice	July, 25. – 27. 2008	Jaslovské Bohunice
Folkovanie pod Skalkou	July, 25. – 26. 2008	Liptovský Hrádok
Folkovanie s Černou Horou	July, 25. – 26. 2008	Liptovský Hrádok
Žákovic Open	July, 25. - 26. 2008	Turčianske Bohuslavice
Country Oravice	July, 19. 2008	Tvrdošín
Folk&Music Fest	July, 31. - August, 02.2008	Banská Štiavnica
Rača Fest	August, 8. - 9. 2008	Bratislava
Country Fest Rozmarín	August, 8.-9. 2008	Terchová, Žilina
Červeník	August, 8. - 10. 2008	Červeník, Leopoldov
Stupavský Širák	August 24. - 25. 2008	Stupava
Lodenica	August, 28. – 30. 2008	Piešťany
Autoslide	January, 4, 2009	Žarnovica
Bluessový Ostrov		Žarnovica
Ropucha		Púchov