CU Folk and Roots Festival

10/11/2026

A beautiful festival Saturday with 40North88West Fall Fusion Fest. Koryphaios Band Bandoneon Massacre Full Spectrum Wildwood String Band

10/10/2026

You can still buy our 2026 Festival T-shirt! $25 and you help support the fest! Stop by festival central and get yours today!

Thanks to local artist Mad for this year’s shirt (and poster) design!

10/10/2026

Day 3, Saturday, the final day is here ✨ Thanks to all involved for an amazing 18th year. 🙏

"Saturday Daytime" features free and family friendly events including Fall Fusion Fest in downtown Urbana. Free events include performances, workshops, dances and more!

"Saturday Evening" features performances at 7 venues all in downtown Urbana, including free performances at Fall Fusion, Rose Bowl's outdoor stage and of course the late night, grand finale - "The Urbana Hootenanny"

10/09/2026

We have wonderful (and FREE!) kids programming as part of the festival tomorrow, Saturday, 10/10!

At the Community Center for the Arts from 10am - noon: We’ll start with local mother-daughter duo Meg & Nora! And then, sing, dance, laugh and learn about life down on the farm with Miss Jamie's Farm and her puppet animal friends! Perfect for ages 3-7, but younger and older children will enjoy the show as well. We’ll end with the Musical Mayhem Parade into downtown Urbana!

And check out our Folk Instrument Petting Zoo from 3-7pm, as part of the Urbana Fall Fusion Festival!

10/09/2026

Day 2 of the 2026 Fest is here!

Performances at The Rose Bowl Tavern and C4A and a Contra Dance at Phillips Rec Center all in downtown Urbana.

10/08/2026

Welcome to year 18! Fest kicks off today!
🎶 🎉 Yes, it's true, the 18th CU Folk & Roots Festival has arrived.

As is tradition, day 1, we kick off with a presentation, performances and a swing dance - all for free!

For all your FAQs visit our official website 👉 folkandroots (dot) org

10/08/2026

Thanks Smile Politely for the great write up! Check out their article to learn more about our 18th annual festival - starting tomorrow! 🎶🎻

C-U Folk & Roots Festival, the yearly Downtown Urbana staple, returns once again with a fresh lineup of events and activities centered on sharing music and enjoying community. From Thursday, October…

10/06/2026

10/04/2026

✨Artist Spotlight✨

🎶 Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration 🎶

Based in Champaign, Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration build their sound around Zimbabwean chimurenga rhythms and the tones of mbira and marimba. The seven-piece group also draws on Afrobeat, reggae and jazz, bringing a dance-centered set with deep roots in Zimbabwean music to CU Folk & Roots.

More about Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration — https://dankusayaandchimurenga.com/

Tickets — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992669234321
Volunteer opportunities and festival info — https://folkandroots.org/

10/03/2026

Another year, another great Thursday celebration with our longtime friends and supporters at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts! This year featuring the fun and world-class talents of Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration ✨

With Krannert’s collaboration and sponsorship every year, we are able to bring free, diverse, and fun talent to Stage 5 to kickoff the festival celebrations! We’ll see you there!

Join us in welcoming Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration for a Krannert Center Uncorked performance to kick off the CU Folk & Roots Festival! 🎶

Led by Zimbabwean-born musician Dan Kusaya, this seven-piece Champaign-Urbana ensemble blends the hypnotic sounds of the mbira and marimba with the infectious rhythms of chimurenga, Afrobeat, reggae, jazz, and dance music. Rooted in themes of resilience, unity, and cultural pride, the band's performances invite audiences to dance, connect, and celebrate.

Come see why they have earned the title, "The most original vibe in the Midwest!" Enjoy a beverage from the Stage 5 Bar, connect with friends old and new, and be prepared to dance! 🕺

⭐️ Dan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration
🗓️ Thursday, October 8th
⏰ 5:30pm
📍 Stage 5 in the lobby of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
🎟️ FREE! Click here for more information: https://krannertcenter.com/events/krannert-center-uncorked-cu-folk-roots-festival-dan-kusaya-chimurenga-inspiration

CU Folk and Roots Festival
College of Fine & Applied Arts at Illinois