he first Newport Folk Festival was held 51 years ago. The folk-music field has changed dramatically since then, but in so many ways continues to come full circle. The biggest shakeup came in the summer of 1965 when Bob Dylan, the leading player in the movement’s youthful revival, took the stage at Newport with an electric guitar backed by members of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Three songs and 15 minutes later he left to boos. Folk purists felt betrayed by Dylan’s move. “Judas” was his new nickname.

But even before Dylan turned his back on the old guard and went electric, the Newport Folk Festival had ventured beyond the folk umbrella into country and the blues. And today the lineup consists of bands that call on those influences just as much as the one in the title. But the honest-day's-work mentality that comes from folk’s forefathers still resounds loudly in the bands playing this weekend.

There’ll be more than 30 artists playing on three stages, all within view of the Newport Harbor. Check out the schedule for yourself. Here's a handful of artists that shouldn’t be missed. Single-day tickets and weekend passes are still available from Ticketmaster. More information is available here.

Yim Yames: Harbor Stage, Saturday, 3:25 to 4:25, and John Prine: Fort Stage, Saturday, 6:05 to 7:20

In late August Jim James will hit the Northeast with his band My Morning Jacket, opening two shows for Tom Petty as well as playing its own in Holyoke and Burlington, Vermont. While MMJ is set to go down as one of the best bands of our era, James keeps his mind fresh and pen sharp with his solo persona, Yim Yames. Monsters of Folk, a collaboration with Conor Oberst and M. Ward may have attracted the most attention, but Yames also cut a George Harrison tribute album, has recorded live with the Preservation Hall Jazz band (playing Sunday at 2:05 on the Harbor stage), is in the midst of a tour to benefit Appalachia with Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin More (playing on Sunday at 3:30 on the Quad Stage), and recorded a John Prine track with MMJ for the Prine tribute album Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows. With Prine on the bill the same day, a guest spot is possible. The Avett Brothers also contributed to the Prine tribute disc and play the next day at 1:50 on the Fort Stage. Almost all of the bands appearing owe something to Prine, the often-overlooked folk icon and fitting headliner for this year’s festival. Between all of the acts mentioned here, there’s plenty of room for stage-sharing.

David Wax Museum: Quad Stage, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

David Wax Museum brings some Boston folk flavor. The band, which blends folk styles from all over the world, won its spot at the festival in a contest sponsored by Magic Hat. More than 150 bands entered. It’ll be worth getting to the site extra early for this set, and if you like what you see, you can catch them on Tuesdays in August at the Lizard Lounge.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings: Fort Stage, Sunday, 12:35 to 1:30

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings will light a soul-fueled fire early Sunday, a spark to give the boys something to reach for. Jones attacks the stage with the same workhorse bravado that Al Green and James Brown burned into millions of hearts. Still an eager disciple of those icons, she’s making a strong push to become a legend in her own right.

The Felice Brothers: Harbor Stage, Sunday, 3:30 to 4:30

Ever since the Felice Brothers’ two-show smash-and-grab run at Nateva, the upstate New Yorkers have become a steady influence in my life, right next to Amstel Light and Jack Daniels. Their borderline sloppy personae and take-it-or-leave-it shotgun flurry of songs—solid tracks that graduate to anthem status with each sip of the bottle—could make the Felice Brothers the truest outlaws at a festival originally built on outlaw spirit. It’s never pretty when this band takes the stage, but there’s something beautiful about the way it all comes together (or crashing down). Dylan once hid out in the same place where the Felice kids honed their swagger.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes: Harbor Stage, Sunday, 4:45 to 5:55

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes could be one of the biggest buzz bands on the bill, and with nearly a dozen members simply the biggest. Its songs start almost innocently and spirits are high thanks to the communal attitude. This set has the potential to create some of the more uplifting moments of the festival—maybe even a hug-your-neighbor moment or two.

The Levon Helm Band’s Ramble on the Road, with special guests: Fort Stage, Sunday, 5:50 to 7:05

The Band should be mentioned in the same conversations as the Stones and the Beatles. It was the true road-tested act of the three and wrote songs with just as much fight and fire. Even after surviving a bout with throat cancer that took his voice temporarily, drummer and vocalist Levon Helm carries on the legacy with the same care and confidence he showed on film during The Last Waltz. He surrounds himself with the best players (including Dylan’s go-to guitarist, Larry Campbell) and the festival gives him a wealth of talent to draw from for “special guests.” Robbie Robertson may hold much of the Band’s catalog hostage, but Helm knows these still need to be given the live treatment. His solo work carries plenty of weight, too.

Download of the Week: The Low Anthem from the 2009 Newport Folk Fest

The Low Anthem have taken the long road to this year’s festival. Endless touring behind their critically acclaimed Nonesuch Records debut, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, has brought the Providence natives into homes nationwide. Shortly after their appearance in Newport, The Low Anthem will cross the Atlantic for a lengthy European tour. The band’s sincere sound feels righteous enough to be religious, but at the same time remains intelligent enough to know better than to value vice over experience. The latter continues to grow. (Fort Stage, Saturday, 12:35 to 1:20)

The Low Anthem: 8/1/09 – Newport Folk Festival

Bonus Download of the Week: Blitzen Trapper live

Blitzen Trapper’s dark-yet-somehow-joyous songs linger like the forgotten children of Neil Young’s After the Goldrush, with everything from Tom Petty’s grinding spirit to Wilco’s studio rushes with sound. Their refined creations would sit nicely on the dashboard—a pick-up-truck-tested creed for the everyman, especially the northwestern dirt farmer. A perfect fit for the always-evolving Newport Folk Fest, the Oregon-based group is among a new crop of folk talent that isn’t afraid to take tradition for a swing around the roughed-up rock circus. (Harbor Stage, Saturday, 12:50 to 1:50)

Blitzen Trapper – Live from Iowa City: 7/18/2009

And if you’re stuck in Boston for the weekend…

The Black Keys play the Bank of America Pavillion Saturday. There are still a few tickets left. Word has it that recent Keys shows have been marathons featuring heavy doses of the duo’s newest studio creation, Brothers, along with a healthy trip through the entire catalog.

Thanks to Michael Spencer for the shot of The Felice Brothers from their after-midnight set at Nateva. You can view all of his galleries here.