What better way to spend a summer weekend than by attending a folk festival -- where you can hear your favorite musicians and discover new ones, explore new traditions, learn new musical and dance skills, and share the experience with others who also love this music ... all while enjoying the great outdoors!
Here is a listing of some of the most popular festivals that are attended by Michigan folks, but this is just the beginning. There are hundreds of festivals occurring throughout the country -- why not plan to attend one as part of your vacation? The most comprehensive listing may be found in the spring and summer issues of Sing Out Magazine. If you are Canada-bound, visit Northern Journey Online's Canadian Folk Festival Websites.
Nor-East'r Music & Arts Festival
June 10-12, 2011
Oscoda County Fairgrounds
Mio, MI
800-800-6133
http://www.noreastr.net
Performers include Ronny Cox, Madcat, Kane & Maxwell St., Caravan of Thieves, The Steel Wheels, Dick Siegel and the Brandos, Red Sea Pedestrians, Midnight Cattle Callers, Cairn to Cairn, Blue Water Ramblers, Nervous But Excited, The Marvins, Annie and Rod Capps, Jason Dennie, Jan Krist and Jim Bizer, Rootstand, Judy Insley, Shari Kane and Dave Steele, Lake Folk, and many more. Many styles of music, great art exhibits, camping, kids activities, workshops, and many great jam sessions throughout the grounds.
Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival
Saturday, June 18, 2011
11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
In the park at Brethren, MI
231-723-2230 or 231-889-3667
http://www.spiritofthewoods.org
Featuring Pura Fe', The Steel Wheels, The Juggernaut Jug Band, Lac La Belle, Ruby John with Woodland Celtic, Conga Se Menne, and many more.
Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance
June 24-26, 2011
Altamont Fairgrounds
Altamont, NY
518-765-2815
http://www.oldsongs.org
Performers include Arrogant Worms, Dan Berggren, Finest Kind, Jez Lowe, Ruth Pelham, John Roberts, Bill Spence, Ed Trickett, Harry Tuft, George Ward, and many more. Concerts, workshops, participatory dancing, storytelling, crafts, and family activities.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 6-10, 2011
Birds Hill Park
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204-231-0096
http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
This year's performers include Beoga, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Connie Kaldor, Dan Crary, Fairfield Four, Jeff Tweedy, k.d. lang, Little Feat, Lucinda Williams, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sarah Jarosz, The Once, Tim Robbins, and many more.
Blissfest Traditional Music Festival
July 8-10, 2011
Festival Farm
Cross Village, MI
231-348-2815
http://www.blissfest.org
This year's performers include Buffy Sainte-Marie, Tom Rush, Mountain Heart, The Good Lovelies, Caravan of Thieves, Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Harry Manx, Joel Mabus, and many more.
Saline Celtic Festival
July 8-9, 2011
Mill Pond Park
Saline, MI
734-944-2810
http://www.salineceltic.org
Music, dance, workshops, Highland athletics, children's activities, living history enactments, Celtic and American cuisine. Performers include Blacktorn, The Cathie Ryan Band, Road Kilt, North Atlantic Drift, Beth Patterson, Fiddlers ReStrung, Bryan Kelso Crow, Chicago Reel, and more.
Non-Electrical Musical Funfest
July 14-17, 2011
Osceola County Fairgrounds
Evart, MI
231-734-6119
http://www.dulcimers.com/evartpage.html
Sponsored by the Original Dulcimer Players Club, Inc. Workshops, stage shows, and lots of great jamming!
Home County Folk Festival
July 15-17, 2011
Victoria Park
London, Ontario
519-432-6299
http://www.homecounty.ca
This year's performers include James Keelaghan, Garnet Rogers, Sarah Harmer, The Laws, and many more. Evening concerts, afternoon music and dance workshops and demonstrations, and 150 craft artists. Free admission!
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival
July 22-24, 2011
Tourist Park
Marquette, MI
906-226-8575
http://www.hiawathamusic.org/~hiawatha
Performers include Le Vent du Nord, John McCutcheon, Harmonious Wail, and many more.
8th Annual Downtown Evart Folk Festival
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Evart, MI
1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
231-734-6119
http://www.evart.org/?p=996
Performers include Matt Watroba, Anne Hills, Claudia Schmidt, Jan Krist, and Jim Bizer.
Flint Folk Music Festival
July 29-30, 2011
Kearsley Park
Flint, MI
810-235-1442
http://www.flintfolkmusic.org
Performers include Mustard's Retreat, Anne Hills, Steppin' In It, Finvarra's Wren, Neil Woodward, Annie and Rod Capps.
Champlain Valley Folk Festival
July 29-31, 2011
Burlington Waterfront Park
Burlington, VT
800-769-9176
http://www.cvfest.org
Performers include John Roberts and Tony Barrand, Pete Sutherland, Rob Lutes, Anais Mitchell, and many more.
Great Lakes Folk Festival
August 12-14, 2011
Downtown East Lansing
East Lansing, MI
517-432-4533
http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Showcases our country's rich cultural heritage through music, dance, crafts, storytelling, games and food. Performers include Feufollet, Skalmusik, Gao Hong, Teada, Cats and the Fiddle, Johnnie Bassett, Reveillons!, and many more.
Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival
August 19-21, 2011
Kelso Beach Park
Owen Sound, Ontario
519-371-2995
http://www.summerfolk.org
Performers include David Francey, Arrogant Worms, The Once, James Hill and Anne Davison, Ken Whiteley, Ron Hynes, The Good Lovelies, Gandalf Murphy, and many more. Displays, sales, and demonstrations by professional craft artists.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
August 19-21, 2011
Old Pool Farm
Near Schwenksville, PA
215-242-0150
http://www.folkfest.org
Performers include Dan Bern, Tom Paxton, Tom Rush, Dala, Arlo Guthrie, Jorma Kaukonen, and many many more.
Hoxeyville Music Festival
August 19-21, 2011
Coyote Crossing Resort
8593 S. 13 Rd.
Cadillac, MI
http://www.hoxeyville.com
Performers include Todd Snider, Greensky Bluegrass, The Ragbirds, Steppin' in It, Rachael Davis, Breathe Owl Breathe, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine and many more.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
August 20-October 2, 2011
Holly, MI (Exit 106 off I-75)
800-601-4848
http://www.michrenfest.com
Open weekends and Labor Day, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., rain or shine. Music, stage acts, artisans, food booths. Themed weekends.
Thumbfest
Saturday, September 3, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Camp Ozanam
Lexington, MI
586-727-5197
http://www.thumbfest.org
Sponsored by the Bluewater Folk Society. Main stage, workshop hall, dance hall, front porch jamming, kid's activities area, and crafts. Performers include Claudia Schmidt, Finvarra's Wren, Red Sea Pedestrians, Jim Bizer, Jan Krist, Kitty Donohoe, Mustard's Retreat, and more.
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
September 4-5, 2011
Island Park
Geneva, IL
630-897-3655
http://foxvalleyfolk.com
Performers include Cathy Barton and Dave Para, Andy Calhoun, Tracy Grammer, Anne Hills, David Massengill, Mustard's Retreat, Jim Post, Claudia Schmidt, Michael Smith, Ed Trickett, and many more.
Wheatland Music Festival
September 9-11, 2011
Remus, MI
989-967-8879
http://www.wheatlandmusic.org
Main stage performers include An Dro, Red Sea Pedestians, Los TexManiacs, Nic Gareiss and Jessie Nieves, J. Oscar Bittinger, Karisa Wilson, Susan Harrison, Starlight Six, and many more.
