The fourth annual Back Porch Festival returns March 1-4, with all-star line-ups of American roots artists at the Academy of Music and The Parlor Room.

Anaïs Mitchell is a Vermont and Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter who comes from the world of narrative folksong, poetry and balladry.

Birds of Chicago began in 2012 when Nero started writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. A cross border band was born.

Foucault has given American poetry some of its most vital lines and his musical searchings have become touchstones of density and durability.