Nile Rodgers' FOLD Festival 'Postponed' in Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, NY - Fans looking forward to Nile Rodgers' "Freak Out, Let's Dance," or FOLD, Festival won't be seeing the show that made headlines in Riverhead as planned — the three-day event, scheduled for August 12 to 14 at Martha Clara Vineyards, has been postponed.

According to an announcement on the FOLD festival's website, "The New York leg of 2016’s Freak Out Let’s Dance (FOLD) Festival® has been temporarily postponed until further notice. The three-day concert series was originally scheduled for August 12, 13, and 14th at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, NY.

Martha Clara Vineyards (MCV) are only issuing refunds to individuals that purchased tickets specifically from MCV.

All tickets purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or Frontgate (via FOLD’s website) will be automatically refunded, including fees, (except UPS and InStore Pick Up, if applicable), which will appear on buyer’s credit card within 7 – 10 business days. Original tickets will not be honored for FOLD’s rescheduled date. Ticket buyers seeking additional information should contact info@foldfestival.com.

Additionally, due to the postponement for this year’s FOLD Festival, the East End Arts will not be able to continue its FOLD Festival Emerging Artist Contest."

No reason was given on the site for the postponement.

Riverhead Town Police Chief David Hegermiller confirmed Thursday that the event had been "canceled".

The 2016 lineup had been set to include Bette Midler, Rodgers and Chic, Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as cutting edge contemporary acts like DNCE featuring Joe Jonas, DJ Cassidy, and Emin. In addition, Rodgers and the multi-platinum band CHIC were slated to perform each night and also headline a special show starring fellow disco pioneers K.C. & the Sunshine Band and The Village People.

The show was to be co-produced by Peter Herman of Nile Rodgers Productions.

This year's FOLD Festival was to support the We Are Family Foundation, East End Arts and The Riverhead Police Athletic League.

Rodgers, who founded the band Chic, brought the world hits such as "We Are Family," "Good Times," "Le Freak," "Greatest Dancer," "I'm Coming Out," and "Like a Virgin," has produced hits for Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Diana Ross. And, he has co-written and plays his Fender“The Hitmaker” on the Daft Punk hit “Get Lucky."

He wowed crowds last year with an all-star show that included Keith Urban and Duran Duran.

And his original All for the East End event at Martha Clara included stars Adam Lambert and Avicii, who got the crowd dancing.

Rodgers told Patch that he was inspired England's Glastonbury Festival.

He brought the FOLD festival to London in June.

"I like to give people a great time," he said. "When you look at our lineup and break it out, you say, 'Wait a minute, I'm getting Bette Midler and Earth, Wind & Fire for $20, that's cool. I want people to feel like it's a real bang for the buck."

His goal has always been to create a sustainable event. "I want this to outlast me," he said.

A representative for Nile Rodgers confirmed that the event was postponed, not canceled, but said no additional information was immediately available.