By: Ashley Heeney

Tonight, the Masters of Puerto Rican Roots Music featuring Edwin Colón Zayas kick off the 43rd Kent State Folk Festival the Kent Stage with music that will take the audience to Puerto Rico with the relaxing sounds of the cuatro.

A smaller, five-string guitar popular in Puerto Rico, the cuatro is just one of many cool, folk instruments played by musicians to be seen and heard Nov. 5 through 14 in downtown Kent and at Kent State.

WKSU-FM’s 25-year Folk Alley host Jim Blum said this year is the first that WKSU tried to capitalize on what he refers to as an “indie renaissance – or whatever you want to call it.”

Indie acts Sufjan Stevens,The Decemberists and Low Anthem were sought after for #43, but instead the fest reeled in Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, a super pop folk band suddenly getting attention from major networks like ABC and NPR.

From Africa to Eastern Europe to the guy with the guitar traveling from the Southern U.S. to the North playing songs for a buck, “folk” is broadly defined category of music. And that’s what the fest is about this year – a wide array of traditional and new, young and old, Latin and Canadian.

This year’s fest hasn’t sold out . . . yet. And there’s a lot of folk to look forward to, and some shows are even free.

Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. The Masters of Puerto Rican Roots Music featuring Edwin Colón Zayas with Grupo Isla del Encanto folkloric dance troupe. A panorama of Puerto Rican instrumental and vocal music and dance suitable for all ages. $10; students free with valid ID.

Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. Greg Brown and Jorma Kaukonen. Brown’s a strong singer/songwriter who’s appeared on Prairie Home Companion and Kaukonen’s a guitar master and an original member of Jefferson Airplane. $45 gold circle, $25 reserved.

Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. The Del McCoury Band with opener Sarah Jarosz. Grammy-winning bluegrass master McCoury with his dapper man band; the relaxed younger Jarosz could be next Alison Krauss. She also had to get special permission from her college dean to play at the fest. $50 gold circle, $30 reserved.

Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. Old Crow Medicine Show. Country rock-a-billy, toe-tappin’, wagon-wheelin’ old time string band that rocks for both yuppies and hobos. Bluesy ballads about getting beat up, dragged down, strung up and pushed out of town. But they do it so happily. $30 general admission, $35 day of show.

Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.: Ed Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros with opener Family of the Year. Supercharged, artsy hippies from L.A., 10+ sing and dance. Energetic and infectious. FOTY: folk-punk newcomers with spotty harmonies and real jangly guitars. $12 general admission.

Nov. 13 at various times. Folk Alley 'Round Town. Walk around downtown Kent to catch free music at 30+ venues. 1960s psychedelic rocker and Woodstock veteran Country Joe McDonald is a special appearance.

Nov. 14 – noon to 5 p.m. Free folk workshops in the KSU Student Center and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Talent contest in the KSU KIVA.

Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.: Rhythm in Shoes presents Banjo Dance with opener Dala. In group song and costumed dance tells the story of immigrants from the British Isles and Africa who used music to express their personal and emotional journeys.

Different than anything the fest has had in years. Two young female vocalists from Toronto are Dala. $20 reserved, WKSU members 50 percent off with member card, $5 for students with valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased at the Kent Stage, Woodsy’s Music and Spin-More Records, by calling (330) 677-5005 or at www.KentStage.org. All shows at Kent Stage unless otherwise noted.