Twice a year a countless number of acts and an even more immeasurable amount of talent (both established and others often unknown to the broader audience) descends the few steps down into Club Passim in Harvard Square for the campfire. festival. (blah, blah, blah…set up due to a difficult to book weekend…if you read this publication you know the story and that we love us some Passim).

So, if an effort to make it a bit easier on you I have a few choice picks if you plan on getting down to Cambridge this weekend to take in some of the fantastic talent on the menu at Passim…and speaking of menus, get some food while you are there as well.

TONIGHT (Friday, 5/26): one of the late slots hosts a project I haven’t yet had the pleasure of checking out yet, but is the mastermind of a gent I have a whole lot of respect for artistically, Sean Trischka. The dude’s voice is smooth like melty butter on your popcorn, but rocks the shit out of some tunes as well. Immediately following that set is another great act we premiered a video of earlier this year, Gretchen and the Pickpockets. So, give the late night a try this fine Friday evening, or hell show up early as the entire night looks pretty excellent.

TOMORROW (Saturday, 5/27): Tomorrow seems all about the ‘In the Round’ sets to us. Across the entire day some of our favorite songwriters and performers are doted across a few of the sets. Lula Wiles’ Isa Burke at 1:30, the soulful soul crusher Frank Bell in a 4:30 round, and pals Carlin Tripp, Will Dailey and Lay Low Moon all together on stage at 9:45 PM. In the rounds are fantastic ways to see unrehearsed, spontaneous collaborations, see some songs from an artist you really love alongside someone who could become a new-to-you favorite as well. So, never underestimate them!

IN TWO DAYS (Sunday, 5/28): Another one for the round sets. Let me tell you. 6 PM is looking especially stacked with Sean Staples and Rose Polenzani. Later on Sam Moss and Rachel Sumner are sharing an in the round set…and the two perform in a trio together, so expect some special moments there. Each of them alone are two of my favorites voices in the community, together they are knee shaking sublime…oh, and Julia Mark is also on stage during that time. Just be there. 

THREE DAYS! (Monday, 5/29): All day long. Just some of the names you should check out starting from early to late: Alec Hutson, Nate Sabat, Sonny Jim Clifford, Eleanor Buckland, Gillian Grogan. Oh, and that final set…yeah, that is going to be something else.

OK, so I guess the real message here is show up to as much as you possibly can during campfire. festival. No matter when you are sitting down in the basement, slightly below Palmer, you are guaranteed to witness some special moments. Do it folks.