In a press conference in Bangor on Thursday morning, American Folk Festival volunteers announced the first seven artists slated to perform at the 2016 edition of the festival, set for Aug. 26-28 on the Bangor Waterfront.

Artists include:

• Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, featuring vocalist Brianna Thomas, an acclaimed New York City-based jazz ensemble.
• The National Women’s Dance Troupe of Sri Lanka, performing traditional Sri Lankan dance.
• The Western Flyers, a Western Swing band based out of Fort Worth, Texas.
• Michael Cleveland, an award winning, Indiana-based blind American bluegrass fiddle player.
• The East Pointers, a Prince Edward Island-based folk trio.
• Gerarde Contino y Los Habaneros, a Cuban and Latin salsa band based out of New York City.
• Nathalie Pires, a New Jersey-based Portugese Fado singer.

For more information on the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront, visit americanfolkfestival.com.