Three acts will perform at the open-air concert of the Americana series
The Darmstadt Americana series invites you to the fifth edition of the "Heiner Hootenanny" on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in the courtyard of the Bessunger Knabenschule (Bessunger Boys' School). Starting at 6:30 p.m., three acts will present different facets of Americana, folk, country, and bluegrass. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Roger William Smith will kick things off. The Mannheim-based singer-songwriter hails from Brooklyn and has Texan roots. His songs blend folk, blues, and Americana with acoustic storytelling and personal narratives.
Next up is the Julia van Embers Band from the Rhine-Main region. With their program "Perlas," the group presents a selection of Americana classics and musical discoveries. The program includes songs by John Prine, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Molly Tuttle, and Norah Jones, arranged for guitar, dobro, banjo, and bass.
The highlight of the evening is the performance by Ikes Creek from Los Angeles. The band blends bluegrass and country with virtuoso instrumental playing and original songwriting. Bandleader Korey Simeone is a multi-instrumentalist, mastering not only the fiddle but also guitar, mandolin, and dobro. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with or shared the stage with artists such as Dolly Parton, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, and Dwight Yoakam.
Simeone is accompanied by Tom Moose, a multi-instrumentalist from Northern Hesse, and JB Barton from Sacramento, who is supporting the band's current European tour.
In case of bad weather, the event will be moved from the courtyard to the hall of the Bessunger Knabenschule.
5. Heiner Hootenanny
Saturday, August 22, 2026, Doors open: 6:00 PM, Start: 6:30 PM
Courtyard of the Bessunger Knabenschule, Ludwigshöhstraße 42, 64285 Darmstadt
Performers: Roger William Smith, Julia van Embers Band, Ikes Creek
Tickets: www.knabenschule.de, Telephone reservations: +49 6151 / 61650
In case of bad weather, the event will take place indoors.
