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One of the most popular events, Folkie Fest is celebrating Women’s History Month with a gathering of strong, resilient, formidable and fierce women to perform their original works.
Performing for the first time on our stage, Rachelle Rossi, and returning we have Claudia Jacobs, Christine Sweeney, Marian
Mastrorilli and all the way from “out east” Inda Eaton. This is another powerful lineup….you won’t want to miss it!
Rachelle Rossi is a country rock singer-songwriter blending soulful urban jazz influences with raw, roots-driven sound. Performing both solo and with a full band, she brings emotional depth, spiritual strength, and fearless authenticity to every stage. Her music carries a message of worthiness, God-given purpose, and courage — empowering listeners to push through fear and step fully into the dreams they were created for. Playing the local circuit year-round, Rachelle isn’t just performing — she’s
spreading a movement of faith, freedom, and fearless living.
Claudia Jacobs has been celebrated as “Long Island’s Favorite Soul Singer” (LI Press) and “One of the New York area’s
finest female singer-songwriters” ( John Platt, WFUV). Equally comfortable singing, writing and interpreting music in the blues, jazz, folk and country-ish traditions, few performers can fill a stage so completely with joy, fun, humor, hope, sass and pathos. She can be seen throughout the year at listening houses solo and various musical configurations including her best known ensembles the Claudia Jacobs Band and CJs Say Hey Crew.
Whether rocking a festival stage with her full band or a hushed, candle-lit folk club, Christine Sweeney will give you
goosebumps with her voice and then hit you with the depth of her storytelling. While she got her start singing to songs taped from the radio, now she can be heard on the airwaves herself. Christine’s songs can exist in a big, full-band milieu or played solo at a hushed listening room, with equal impact—and the songs were road-tested on both types of stages before taking them into the studio. The folk scene has embraced Christine’s music, with showcases at NERFA and Folk Alliance International Conference. She attests, “It’s like a religious experience in a way because no one’s talking and they’re just really into the song. They want to see how they relate to your story. It’s like they’re breathing with you. It’s almost like you’re telling them a secret sometimes.”
Marian Mastrorilli’s 6-song acoustic rock CD Sea Salt and Sawdust, released in March 2025, landed on the FAI Folk Charts at #33 for Folk DJs Top Albums that month, and its songs have found their way onto over 55 radio programs worldwide. Marian has been writing songs and performing in the New York area since her late twenties. Since her arrival on Long Island in 2018, she’s been a featured performer at the L.I. Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame; North Shore Original Open Mic, Folkie Fest, Songwriters of L.I., Acoustic All-Stars, Music from the Hive. Diversity and the element of surprise are cornerstones of Marian’s approach to making music. Her songs can be moody, sensitive or playful; built with a keen melodic sense, dynamics, and rich harmonies. Lyrics are poetic, introspective or witty, delivered with a distinctive voice that tries on different personas: intimate balladeer, sultry chanteuse, rocker chick.
Inda Eaton’s warm humor, free-spirited emotionality, and literate flair make her songs feel as comfy as a favorite pair of jeans. Inda’s vocals have a whiskey and honey-tinged raspy quality that’s both stirring and soothing. Her stories and musings feel instantly resonate. Inda’s songwriting spans fist-pumping anthemics and bucolic balladeering, and it embraces a wide swath of influences, including country, classic rock, folk, and pop.
The doors open at 1:30, music starts at 2. Tickets are available at the gate only, $15 cash only, please. As always, there
will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit LI Cares: The Harry Chapin Food Bank.
If you want to check out some of the past
events and some of the artists we have had on our stage, there are highlights
on the Folkie Fest YouTube channel. To keep up with happenings, like Folkie
Fest on Facebook, or sign up for our mailing list at [email protected]
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/18CPBPmmN8/
