The venerable Newport Folk and Jazz festivals have announced their lineups for this year’s installments at Fort Adams State Park, and each promises to live up to high expectations.

Newport Folk Festival runs August 4 – 6, and opens with “On A Newport Night,” featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Cheryl Wheeler in a special collaborative performance.

The festival churns into high gear Saturday, headlined by Willie Nelson in his first Newport appearance.

“It’s long been a dream of ours to bring Willie Nelson to Newport; he is truly an icon of American country,” said festival producer Robert L. Jones.

Other folk and not-so-folkies appearing on the two Newport stages the second day include Shawn Colvin, String Cheese Incident, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, and Guy Clark.

Another festival neophyte, Natalie Merchant, headlines the final day.

Other performers include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, Natalie MacMaster.

After a week’s breather, the August 11 – 13 Newport Jazz Festival kicks off at the Newport Casino with Bobby Short and his Orchestra, and master jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and his Quartet.

The festival gets down to business back at Fort Adams State Park’s two outdoor stages the second day with Fourplay starring Bob James; vocalist Dianne Reeves; Femi Kuti & The Positive Force; Deep Banana Blackout, and others.

Two acclaimed women will take the main stage on closing day: Celia Cruz and Cassandra Wilson. Also performing that day are Boney James, Rick Braun, Maceo Parker, John Zorn’s Masada, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.