Northern Current: A Community Music Festival

About

Northern Current Music Festival

A vibrant community music festival on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in Saranac Lake, NY, celebrating diverse musical heritages.

Date:
Save the date Sunday, August 31, 2025

Time:
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Location:
Riverside Park, Saranac Lake, NY

Admission:
Free! (Donations greatly appreciated)

Details:

• All ages welcome
• Family-friendly
• Free event
• Rain or shine
• Big tent for cover

Kids Zone:
Hosted by Play ADK, featuring fun activities for children, including a Lego Car Derby, Imagination Playground, crafts, bubbles, and more.

Northern Current is a free, daylong festival that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the region through music. Enjoy local food vendors, activities for kids, and a lively atmosphere. For more information, to volunteer, or see the full musical lineup, please visit www.northerncurrentADK.org.

The 2025 lineup includes:

• Combo Chimbita – Formed in 2016 by a group of musicians from the Colombian diaspora in New York, Combo Chimbita has become known for their unique blend of Afro-Colombian rhythms and experimental sounds. What began as casual jam sessions evolved into a full-fledged musical journey that has captivated audiences worldwide. Their electrifying live performances feature razor-sharp guitar, cosmic synths, intricate rhythms, showcasing a sound that is both psychedelic and powerful.

• Jimkata – An electro-rock band that blends alternative rock, synth-pop, and electronic influences. Known for their high-energy live shows, Jimkata has built a nationwide

reputation for delivering a transformative concert experience that will surely captivate theNorthern Current crowd.

• Evolfo – A psychedelic rock septet based in Brooklyn, NY, Evolfo has earned a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. Their expansive, seven-piece lineup blends cosmic soundscapes and infectious grooves that pull from classic psych rock influences and modern experimental music. Their high-energy performances and genre-defying compositions make them one of the most exciting live bands to see today.

• Magnolia Boulevard – Magnolia Boulevard is a 5 piece rock 'n soul band from Kentucky that blends Appalachian roots with raw, heartfelt songwriting. Led bypowerhouse vocalist Maggie Noelle, their music reflects the band's journey through personal loss, motherhood, and perseverance—balancing gritty guitar work, rich keys, and soulful harmonies.

• Organ Fairchild – is an organ-driven funk trio from Buffalo, NY. Their all-instrumental sets draw from a mix of funk, jazz, and rock, with tight grooves, sharp improvisation, and a strong rhythmic core. Their music blends a wide range of influences, creating intricate and dynamic soundscapes that constantly evolve, making each performance unique and captivating.

• Jackson & the Janks – A rock and roll, rhythm and blues, garage gospel band known for lighting up the floor with fresh and time-honored dancin' music. With sacred steel lifting you up and bass saxophone holding it down, their performances are sure to get everyone on their feet and groovin'.

• Nubble – A local alternative folk band from Saranac Lake, NY, Nubble is known for their Adirondack-themed music and unique sound. Their songs often reflect their experiences living in the Adirondacks, blending alternative and folk music with local references and a distinctive atmospheric quality that brings the beauty of the Adirondack region to life. Their performance will set the perfect tone for a day of music surrounded by the stunning landscape of Riverside Park.

Northern Current is a celebration of music, culture, and community. The festival will showcase a broad array of musical styles, ranging from Afrobeat and rock to Americana and soul, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The event is designed to be an inclusive, family-friendly experience that brings people together to enjoy the very best of live music.

With local food vendors on hand to satisfy your cravings and a Kid Zone full of fun activities, this will be a day for the whole family. This is a rain or shine event, with a large tent available to ensure everyone stays dry, if needed.

“Northern Current continues to be a true community effort, and we’re thrilled to bring this year’s incredible lineup to life. From the artists to our volunteers and sponsors, the support we receive is what makes this festival so special,” said Kiki Sarko, event coordinator.

We can’t wait to see you at Northern Current 2025 — a true celebration of community, culture, and incredible music! Northern Current is a nonprofit music festival, operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation. The event is made possible with funds fromthe Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

Northern Current's headlining sponsor is Hotel Saranac. Event sponsors include Waterhole, Tell Media, Play ADK, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Adirondack Health, Elevate ADK, Paul Smith's College, North Country Community College and Hammersong Architectural Metal and Design. Northern Current's music sponsors help bring talent to the stage; they includeLong Run Wealth, Northern Power & Light, Edward Jones, Shamim Allen & Craig Bailey and Nori's Village Market. Northern Current's Kids Zone is sponsored by Duff's Dumpsters, the Book Nook, Champlain National Bank, Casella, the Lake Flower Goats & Friends, Adirondack for Kids and Stewart's Shops. The green rooms are sponsored by Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters and Origin Coffee Co. Lodging sponsors include Ampersand Bay Resort and Corey Purcell/Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty. Additional support is provided by Grizle T's, Bitters & Bones, The Wild Center, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, the Pearsall Foundation, the Charles R. Wood Foundation, the town of Harrietstown and the village of Saranac Lake. Marketing support for Northern Current is made possible in part with financial and in-kind support from Explore Adirondack Frontier and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. Media sponsors include North Country Public Radio and NYS Music.

To inquire aboutsponsorship opportunities, email northerncurrentADK@gmail.com