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 13-15, 2008
Oscoda County Fairgrounds
Mio, MI
800-800-6133
http://www.noreastr.net
Performers include Sons of the Never Wrong, Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, Blue Water Ramblers, Ragbirds, Grievous Angel, Annie and Rod Capps, The Milroys, Drew Nelson, Will and Ann Rowland, Chris Buhalis, 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 21, 2008
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 Reggae Cowboys, Ember Swift, Nobody's Darlin', Rusty Blaides, Earthwork Women, Breathe Owl Breathe, and Ruby John.
Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance
June 27-29, 2008
Altamont Fairgrounds
Altamont, NY
518-765-2815
http://www.oldsongs.org
Performers include Ira Bernstein, April Verch, Liz Carroll and John Doyle, Dan Duggan, Priscilla Herdman, Andy Irvine, Joe Jencks, Robert B. Jones, Si Kahn, Malinky, Lee Murdock, Le Vent du Nord, Matt Watroba, and many more. Concerts, workshops, participatory dancing, storytelling, crafts, and family activities.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 10-13, 2008
Birds Hill Park
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204-231-0096
http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
This year's performers include the Calexico, David Grisman, Justin Townes Earle, David Francey, Eliza Gilkyson, Nanci Griffith, The Infamous Stringdusters, Spider John Koerner, Charlie Louvin, Harry Manx, Peter Ostroushko, Red Stick Ramblers, Abigail Washburn, and many more.
Saline Celtic Festival
July 11-12, 2008
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 Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Ken Perlman and Jim DeWan, Rant Maggie Rant, Traveler's Dream, The Heaton Trio, The Commonwealth Dance Collective, the O'Hare School of Irish Dance, Dachiel Thistle, The Kreellers, Chelsea House Orchestra, Fiddlers ReStrung, and dance caller Glen Morningstar.
Blissfest Traditional Music Festival
July 11-13, 2008
Festival Farm
Cross Village, MI
231-348-2815
http://www.blissfest.org
This year's performers include Eileen Ivers, The Duhks, Steppin in It, Dick Siegel, Ember Swift, The String Doctors, The Horse Flies, LaRon Williams, and many more.
Non-Electrical Musical Funfest
July 17-20, 2008
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 18-20, 2008
Victoria Park
London, Ontario
519-432-6299
http://www.homecounty.ca
This year's performers include Stephen Fearing, Luke Doucet, Nathan Rogers, Mose Scarlett, Pierre Schreyer, Sultans of String, Jackie Washington, Jenny Whiteley, Beyond the Pale, and more. Evening concerts, afternoon music and dance workshops and demonstrations, and 150 craft artists. Free admission!
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival
July 18-20, 2008
Tourist Park
Marquette, MI
906-226-8575
http://www.hiawathamusic.org/~hiawatha
Performers include The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Duhks, Guy Davis, Seth Bernard and Daisy May, Connie Kaldor, Joel Mabus, and many more.
Flint Folk Music Festival
Saturday, July 19, 2008
12:00-9:30 p.m.
Kearsley Park
Flint, MI
810-235-1442
http://www.flintfolkmusic.org
Performers include David Barrett, Jim Bizer, Annie Capps, Kitty Donohoe, Michael Hough, Jan Krist, David Tamulevich, Matt Watroba, and Four Shillings Short.
Hoxeyville Music Festival
July 25-27, 2008
Coyote Crossing Resort
8593 S. 13 Rd.
Cadillac, MI
http://www.hoxeyville.com
Performers include Rachel Davis, Steppin' In It, The Ragbirds, Seth Bernard and Daisy May, Jen Sygit, The Corn Fed Girls, The Werks, Greensky Bluegrass, and many more.
5th Annual Downtown Evart Folk Festival
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Evart, MI
12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
231-734-6119
http://www.evart.org/folkfestival2008.html
Performers include Matt Watroba, Anne Hills, Jim Bizer, Jan Krist, Kitty Donohoe, David Mosher, Mustard's Retreat, and Small Potatoes.
Champlain Valley Folk Festival
August 1-3, 2008
Kingsland Bay State Park
Ferrisburgh, VT
800-769-9176
http://www.cvfest.org
Performers include Brooks Williams, Genticorum, Si Kahn, The MacArthurs, Millish, Christopher Layer, The Gypsy Wranglers, Lorraine Lee and Bennett Hammond, Val Mindel and Emmy Miller, and many more.
Riverfolk Music & Arts Festival
Saturday, August 2, 2008
10:00 a.m. - midnight
Carr Park
Manchester, MI
734-323-1761
http://www.riverfolkfestival.org
Performers include Vienna Teng, MacTalla Mor, Corey Ledet and his Zydeco Band, Billy King, Gemini, Tumbao Bravo, The Raisin Pickers, Jan Krist, and more. Includes stage performances, music and dance workshops, a kids' area, and a juried art show.
Great Lakes Folk Festival
August 8-10, 2008
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 Eddie Bond, Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, Cephas and Wiggins, Mamadou Diabate, April Verch, Vishten, Sones de Mexico, Elizabeth LaPrelle, George Gao, Detour, Kirk Sutphin, and many more.
Farmfest
August 14-17, 2008
Johannesburg, MI
http://www.farm-fest.com
Performers include Blue Water Ramblers, Seth Bernard and Daisy May, Kirby, The Ragbirds, Orpheum Bell, Medicine Crow, Judy Insley, Annie and Rod Capps, Motor City Side Strokers, and more.
Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival
August 15-17, 2008
Kelso Beach Park
Owen Sound, Ontario
519-371-2995
http://www.summerfolk.org
Performers include Arrogant Worms, Connie Kaldor, Crowfoot, David Roth, Eve Goldberg, Haines and Leighton, Harry Manx, KIm and Reggie Harris, Stephen Fearing, Le Vent Du Nord, Modern Man, David Amram, and many more. Displays, sales, and demonstrations by professional craft artists.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
August 15-17, 2008
Old Pool Farm
Near Schwenksville, PA
215-242-0150
http://www.folkfest.org
Performers include Beausoleil, David Massengill, Eilen Jewell, Great Big Sea, Janis Ian, Judy Collins, Kathy Mattea, Mark Erelli, Red Molly, Steve Earle, Tom Paxton, Vinx, and many many more.
Thumbfest
Saturday, August 30, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Camp Ozanam
Lexington, MI
586-727-5197
http://www.bluewaterfolk.org
Sponsored by the Bluewater Folk Society. Main stage, workshop hall, dance hall, front porch jamming, kid's activities area, and crafts. Performers include Don White, Drew Nelson, Ann and Will Rowland, Moonsqualler, Floyd King and the Bushwackers, Foxfire, Brian Wood and the Troubadads, Matt Watroba, and the Blue Water Ramblers.
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
August 31-September 1, 2008
Island Park
Geneva, IL
630-897-3655
http://members.aol.com/fvfolk
Performers include Lou and Peter Berryman, Brian Bowers, Cooper Nelson & Early, Judy Cook, Joel Mabus, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, Lee Murdock, Ed Trickett, Matt Watroba, and many more.
Wheatland Music Festival
September 5-7, 2008
Remus, MI
989-967-8879
http://www.wheatlandmusic.org
Main stage performers include Crooked Still, Cheryl Wheeler, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Michael Smith, The Freight Hoppers, The Ragbirds, the Chicken Chokers, and many more.
