Cold Chocolate to Perform at Black Bear Americana Music Festival in Harwinton
HARWINTON, CT – The Black Bear Americana Music Festival will welcome the acclaimed Boston-based band Cold Chocolate on Friday, August 22, 2025, for an afternoon of genre-bending Americana at the Harwinton Fairgrounds. The performance runs from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, promising audiences a lively blend of folk, funk, and bluegrass that has made the duo one of New England’s most talked-about rising acts.
A Band That Blends Traditions
Cold Chocolate is known for seamlessly weaving together traditional roots styles with modern energy. With Ethan Robbins on guitar and mandolin and Ariel Bernstein on percussion and banjo, the group crafts songs that are both musically intricate and lyrically engaging. Their harmonies are tight, their rhythms sharp, and their performances always deliver a dynamic mix of heartfelt storytelling and high-energy jams.
Since emerging from Boston’s vibrant music scene, the band has earned a reputation for originality. Their songs balance technical musicianship with memorable melodies, making their shows equally appealing to Americana purists and fans of contemporary folk-fusion.
Recognition and Musical Growth
Over the years, Cold Chocolate has shared stages with roots legends like Leftover Salmon and David Grisman, bringing their music to festivals and venues across the United States. These opportunities have allowed the duo to build a loyal following while refining their live sound, which often shifts fluidly from driving bluegrass rhythms to funk-inspired grooves.
The group’s focus on songwriting sets them apart in the Americana genre. By combining inventive arrangements with lyrical storytelling, Robbins and Bernstein give their audiences a performance that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Their music resonates with fans across generations, making them a perfect fit for the Black Bear Americana Music Festival, which prides itself on presenting diverse voices within the Americana tradition.
What to Expect at the Festival
The Harwinton Fairgrounds provides a fitting backdrop for the Black Bear Americana Music Festival, with its open-air setting and community-centered vibe. Audiences can expect Cold Chocolate to deliver a set filled with inventive reinterpretations of Americana classics alongside their own original material.
The duo’s ability to shift from intimate, harmony-driven ballads to groove-heavy, danceable tracks ensures that every listener will find something to connect with. With the band’s reputation for energetic live shows, festival-goers should be ready for a performance that keeps the spirit of Americana alive while pushing its boundaries forward.
The Black Bear Americana Music Festival’s lineup shines even brighter with Cold Chocolate in the mix. For more music festival updates, artist spotlights, and concert news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.