Three bands will provide an open-air evening of folk, bluegrass and country music at the Bessunger Knabenschule on August 22nd
The Darmstadt Americana series invites you to the 5th Heiner Hootenanny on Saturday, August 22, 2026 , in the courtyard of the Bessunger Knabenschule (Bessunger Boys' School ). From 6:30 p.m. onwards , visitors can expect a diverse open-air evening with folk, bluegrass, country, and Americana music. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
The musical opening will be performed by Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter Roger William Smith, who now lives in Mannheim. His songs combine folk, blues, and Americana with personal stories and acoustic songwriting.
Following this, the Julia van Embers Band from the Rhine-Main region will present their program "Perlas". The musicians interpret Americana classics and songs by artists such as John Prine, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Molly Tuttle , and Norah Jones in their own style, using guitar, dobro, banjo, and bass.
The highlight of the evening is the performance by the American band Ikes Creek from Los Angeles. The group blends bluegrass and country with virtuoso instrumental playing and original songwriting. Bandleader Korey Simeone grew up in Idaho, later studied classical violin in Germany, and, in addition to the fiddle, is also proficient on guitar, dobro, and mandolin. Together with multi-instrumentalist Tom Moose and JB Barton from Sacramento, the band presents traditional and modern Americana sounds.
“We are delighted to have found another great musical mix. The two US acts, Ikes Creek and Roger William Smith, underscore the origins of the music we love so much, and Julia van Embers consists of artists from our region who brilliantly adapt this music. It will be a wonderful evening,” says Americana curator Thomas Waldherr.
Tickets are available through the Bessunger Knabenschule (Bessunger Boys' School ). In case of bad weather, the event will be moved indoors.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
