By Lauren Daley Contributing writer July 04, 2013 12:00 AM Related Stories

SouthCoast, meet the festival formerly known as Summerfest.

The New Bedford Folk Festival is the same great festival you've known for 18 years — but with a brand new name, and quite a few updates.

In fact, it's essentially Summerfest 2.0.

"We decided to change the name in December, and part of the reason had to do with the fact that the name 'Summerfest' is very generic; there are dozens and dozens of Summerfests across the nation," said Artistic Director Alan Korolenko. "In terms of fund-raising, you want to identify your event and city very clearly."

The 2013 New Bedford Folk Festival will feature contemporary, traditional and Celtic folk music from 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Featured among the 70 juried musical artists are: Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell, The Grand Slambovians, Vishten, Kevin Burke, Antje Duvekot, Michael Johnson, Brooks Williams, Beppe Gambetta, and the John Whalen Trio.

Besides the new name, another big change for the fest this year is the unavailability of Custom House Square, which is under construction to become a city park. The public square had served as a main stage — there are seven total — since the first festival in 1996.

The 1,200-seat Zeiterion Theatre will now serve as the festival's main stage — the first indoor stage for the otherwise outdoors summer music festival.

"It's a new fest for me, too! I felt like I was starting a new event all over again," Korolenko said with a laugh. He and his wife Helene have served as artistic directors since the first year.

"The Z is a different experience from being in a tent outdoors, but still a great experience. Fifteen concerts at the Zeiterion for $15 isn't bad," he said.

Another new venue will be the "Meet the Performers" stage, now at Wing's Court. The meeting stage had previously been in the theater in the National Park visitor center, but "we were outgrowing that," said Korolenko.

The other five stages will remain the same as in previous years.

Two more modifications this year are the addition of free shuttle buses looping the festival area, and moving the "Celtic Extravaganza" to Saturday night at the Z, instead of Sunday night outdoors.

"It's more of an intermission this year than a finale," said Korolenko with a chuckle.

But some familiar features will remain: There will be craft vendors lining Acushnet Avenue, William Street and North Water Street; great local food concessions; and 22 music workshops that Korolenko creates himself.

"When you talk to people about the festival, year after year, the workshops are what they talk about," he said.

Korolenko comes up with themes, such as "Love Songs," and groups of performers "who may never have met and may never meet again" come together to lead free workshops on that theme for anyone — with a festival bracelet — who wants to sit and learn. "The collaborations that go on in these workshops amaze me," said Korolenko.

As for crafts, there will be more than 90 juried fine craftsmen and artisan booths. The food will include festival favorite and sponsor Seafood Hut, along with Del's Lemonade, German foods, a French bistro, as well as a guide to all of downtown's restaurants, Korolenko said.

"We encourage families to come; we really want children exposed to this music. Much of this music you don't normally hear on the radio," he said. ArtWorks! will also offer children's activities from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.

In the last 18 years, the festival has garnered national attention. Last year, tickets were sold online in 22 states, Korolenko said. In 2010, they had upwards of 10,000 people attend the downtown festival.

The Korolenkos love hosting live music — you may know them as the presenters of the Heritage Concerts at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum from 1989 to 1998; the Music Through Time Concerts at the New Bedford Whaling Museum from 1996 to 2008; the WUMB Boston Folk Festival from 1998 to 1999; the Concerts in the Cafe at the Cafe Arpeggio from 2005 to 2007 and the recent On Stage Folk Cafe at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater from 2010 to 2011.

They also have taken busloads of readers for "Greenwich Village Booklovers Adventures" in New York City since 2008.

Bracelets for the folk fest are $20 for one day, $25 for the weekend. If you buy your bracelet in advance at the Whaling Museum or Zeiterion, it's $15 for the weekend through end of business Friday. Students pay $15 for the weekend with a valid ID, and children under 12 are admitted free.

To see a full lineup of performers, weekend schedule, to download a festival map, and for more information, visit http://www.newbedfordfolkfestival.com.

Lauren Daley is a freelance writer. Contact her at ldaley33@gmail.com.