Rhythm 'n' Roots closes the summer festival season at Ninigret Park

The close proximity of All Things New England makes the summer music festival season an easy-access proposition. What's cool: it's come down to Labor Day, and it's distinctly possible the finest lineup of any of these gatherings is just now upon us.

Behold the Rhythm 'n' Roots Festival in Ninigret Friday through Sunday. The artists scheduled to appear comprise an amazing array of styles and talent. Here are can't-go-wrong acts from each day:

Friday - banjo miracle man Danny Barnes and his Trio (5 p.m.), Knickerbocker Café honcho Johnny Nicholas & the Texas All Stars (9:45 p.m.).

Saturday - New Orleans rock-brass outfit Bonerama (5 p.m.), Gulf coast piano giant Marcia Ball (7:30 p.m.), the latest incarnation of Tex-Mex wonders the Texas Tornados (9:15 p.m.), Sunday - southeast Louisiana zydeco purists Preston Frank and Ed Poullard (3:30 p.m.), roots god Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women (5 p.m.), Cajun act Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (6:15 p.m.), and pedal steel Hendrix Robert Randolph and his Family Band (9:15 p.m.).

There are also craft and merch booths, indigenous food, and workshops and dance classes - many conducted by the performing artists.

- Rick Koster

Rhythm 'n' Roots, Ninigret Park, 4890A Old Post Road, Charlestown, R.I.; $30 Fri., $50 Sat. and Sun., weekend pass $130, camping and weekend pass $175; 1-888-855-6940.