With 22 bands, a variety of local artists and available camping space for its three days of events, Nelsonville will hold its own version of a mini-Bonaroo this weekend.  

The fourth-annual Nelsonville Art and Music Festival starts tonight with a performance by local band Silo Circuit and ends Sunday evening with soul singer Bettye Lavette.

Besides a packed lineup of performers, about 21 local artists will display merchandise ranging from jewelry to blown glass, and vendors will provide local food. The festival will take place on Robbins Crossing historic village on the Hocking College campus.   

Coordinated by Stuart’s Opera House, the festival has already sold about 600 advance tickets and hopes to bring in an audience of 2,000, said Tim Peacock, executive director for Stuart’s Opera House.

The bands, which range from freak folk to indie rock, definitely appeal to an early-to-mid 20s age range, Peacock said.

“It’s all good music and it’s all kind of eclectic,” Peacock said. “The festival is definitely aimed at music lovers and maybe people who don’t like mainstream stuff.”

Many of the bands experiment with folk music mutations, such as national band O’Death’s punk take on bluegrass.

Well-known local bands including Southeast Engine also will perform at the festival, Peacock said.

An unlikely folk music convert forms one half of the bluegrass duo Uncle Monk. Tommy Erdelyi, otherwise known as Tommy Ramone, is probably best known as the first drummer and producer for the legendary punk rock group The Ramones.

Although the acoustics of bluegrass and loud electricity of punk rock seem radically different, there is a connection between the two, Erdelyi said. The frameworks are very similar because they both have simple structures, he said.

Erdelyi and his bandmate Claudia Tienan pair modern lyrics with traditional bluegrass sounds, he said, adding that they draw from personal experiences to write their songs.

“Our basic framework is old-time music and bluegrass music, but our sensibilities are kind of modern,” Erdelyi said.

Folk and Americana music are definitely going through a revival period and are growing in popularity among younger fans, said Aaron Lemley, a sophomore advertising management major. Lemley plans to camp out at the festival during the weekend, he said.“I’m really hoping for some campfire jamming,” Lemley said.