Rosendale Street Festival Is Back ! Rosendale Street Festival 2009

The Rosendale Street Festival is back this weekend for the sixth consecutive year, after a sporadic run since its inception in 1978.

"Some bands who wanted to play decided 'Let's just throw a street party and play,' " festival Chairman Charlie Kniceley said about the origins of the popular festival.

"In 2003, a new energy came and it was revived," said Billy Bobb Liggin, an event committee member.

The two-day festival features musicians representing every genre from acoustic and heavy rock to Dixieland swing. Much of the music is "homegrown rock," with many of the local musicians returning to play each year.

Five stages will host a diverse lineup of around 70 bands, including Voodelic, Deni Bonet and The Saints of Swing.

Vendors selling art and crafts as well as food and drink will be spread along the quarter-mile-long Main Street.

"I will always play the Rosendale Street Festival if I'm available," said Dave Winograd, who plays upright and electric bass and tuba with The Saints of Swing.

"They treat us with respect and provide a professional sound system ... and you get to see a lot of old friends," he said.

The Music Festival of Rosendale Inc., a nonprofit grassroots organization, is the host.

"It is totally musician- and volunteer-driven," Kniceley said. "Everything we do as organizers is built around that and driven by the fact the musicians want to play, and we want to give them that opportunity."

The musicians play for free, and it does not cost anything for the public to attend.

What: Rosendale Street Festival, featuring two days of music on five stages with a street full of vendors.

When: Today, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Rosendale.

A Rosendale Street Festival View ( Picture )