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 12-14, 2009
Oscoda County Fairgrounds
Mio, MI
800-800-6133
http://www.noreastr.net
Performers include the Blue Water Ramblers, Orpheum Bell, Motor City Sidestrokers, Annie and Rod Capps, Dave Boutette, The Milroys, Judy Insley and Almost Perfect, 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 20, 2009
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 Little Pink Anderson, Bill Bynum and Company, Jo Serrapere and the Willie Dunns, The Motor City Sidestrokers, The Nephews, and Sister Wilene.
Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance
June 26-28, 2009
Altamont Fairgrounds
Altamont, NY
518-765-2815
http://www.oldsongs.org
Performers include Peggy Seeger, Josh White Jr., Christine Lavin, Jez Lowe and Kate Bramley, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, Louis Killen, Lou and Peter Berryman, Bua, John Roberts and Tony Barrand, Michael Cooney, Bill Harley, Bill Spence, Peter and Mary Alice Amidon, and many more. Concerts, workshops, participatory dancing, storytelling, crafts, and family activities.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 9-12, 2009
Birds Hill Park
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204-231-0096
http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
This year's performers include the Mary Flower, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Vance Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, Enoch Kent, k.d. lang, The Del McCoury Band, Josh Ritter, Vishten, Loudon Wainwright III, Jenny Whiteley, and many more.
Saline Celtic Festival
July 9-11, 2009
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 Eh!, Tartanic, Blue Caledonia, Rant Maggie Rant, The Chelsea House Orchestra, Fiddlers ReStrung, Daithi Sproule and Laura MacKenzie, Bryan Kelso Crow, Michael Hough (emcee), and the Detroit Royal Scottish Dance Society.
Blissfest Traditional Music Festival
July 10-12, 2009
Festival Farm
Cross Village, MI
231-348-2815
http://www.blissfest.org
This year's performers include Kathy Mattea, Mountain Heart, Loudon Wainwright III, Sara Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Pat Donohue and Howard Levy, The McDades, Still on the Hill, Seth and Daisy May, and many more.
Non-Electrical Musical Funfest
July 16-19, 2009
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 17-19, 2009
Victoria Park
London, Ontario
519-432-6299
http://www.homecounty.ca
This year's performers include Allison Brown, Alistair Brown, Dust Poets, David Essig, Connie Kaldor, Anne Lindsay, Good Lovelies, Murray McLauchlan, Mike Stevens, and many more. Evening concerts, afternoon music and dance workshops and demonstrations, and 150 craft artists. Free admission!
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival
July 17-20, 2009
Tourist Park
Marquette, MI
906-226-8575
http://www.hiawathamusic.org/~hiawatha
Performers include Tangled Roots, Josh White Jr., Pat Donohue, Lucy Kaplansky, Rhythm in Shoes, Feufollet, Mamadou Diabate, and many more.
Flint Folk Music Festival
Saturday, July 18, 2009
12:00-9:30 p.m.
Kearsley Park
Flint, MI
810-235-1442
http://www.flintfolkmusic.org
Performers include Lynn Miles, Mustard's Retreat, Shout Sister Shout (Steppin' in It with Rachel Davis), Hannah Fralick, and Jen Sygit.
6th Annual Downtown Evart Folk Festival
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Evart, MI
12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
231-734-6119
http://www.evart.org/folkfestival2009.html
Performers include Matt Watroba, Kitty Donohoe, Patricia Pettinga with Bill Willging and Friends, and James Gordon.
Champlain Valley Folk Festival
July 31 - August 2, 2009
Kingsland Bay State Park
Ferrisburgh, VT
800-769-9176
http://www.cvfest.org
Performers include Peter and Mary Alice Amidon, Annie and the Hedonists, The Beaudoin Legacy, Crowfoot, Rachel Davis and Brett Hartenbach, Tim Eriksen, Skip Gorman, Enoch Kent, Pat Wictor, and many more.
Riverfolk Music & Arts Festival
Saturday, August 1, 2009
10:00 a.m. - midnight
Carr Park
Manchester, MI
734-323-1761
http://www.riverfolkfestival.org
Performers include Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Lissa Schneckenburger, The Heatons, Nic Gareiss, Wayward Roots, Woody Pines and the Lonesome Two, Matt Watroba, Kitty Donohoe, Gemini, Billy King, Sunkwa, Jen Sygit, the Raisin Pickers, and more. Includes stage performances, music and dance workshops, a kids' area, and a juried art show.
Great Lakes Folk Festival
August 7-9, 2009
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 Fantasia Ballet Folklorico, Berntson Family Band (Norwegian-American), Beyond the Pale (Klezmer), Gadelle (Acadian), Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy (Blues), Los Bandits de Michigan (Tex-Mex), Lost Bayou Ramblers (Cajun), Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys (Bluegrass), Alex Meixner Band (Polka), Les Ross Sr. and the Finnish-American All Stars, Shotgun Party (Western Swing), Slide (Irish), and Tumbao Bravo (Cuban/Caribbean).
Farmfest
August 13-16, 2009
Johannesburg, MI
http://www.farm-fest.com
Performers include Blue Water Ramblers, Seth Bernard and Daisy May, Kirby, Orpheum Bell, Medicine Crow, Annie and Rod Capps, Ron Fowler, Jo Serrapere and the Willie Dunns, Madcat & Kane Trio, and more.
Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival
August 14-16, 2009
Kelso Beach Park
Owen Sound, Ontario
519-371-2995
http://www.summerfolk.org
Performers include Tanglefoot, Tim Harrison, Valdy, Trout Fishing in America, Brian McNeill, Austin Lounge Lizards, Erica Wheeler, Susan Werner, Vance Gilbert, James Keelaghan, Cedric Smith, Anne Lederman, Benoit Bourque, Mike Stevens, Evalyn Parry, Ian Tamblyn, Poor Angus, Peggy Seeger, Paul Mills, and many more. Displays, sales, and demonstrations by professional craft artists.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
August 14-16, 2009
Old Pool Farm
Near Schwenksville, PA
215-242-0150
http://www.folkfest.org
Performers include Del McCoury Band, Ellis Paul, Enter the Haggis, Joe Pug, Justin Townes Earle, Sara Hickman, Tom Rush, Tony Trischka, and many many more.
Hoxeyville Music Festival
August 21-23, 2009
Coyote Crossing Resort
8593 S. 13 Rd.
Cadillac, MI
http://www.hoxeyville.com
Performers TBA.
Michigan Renaissance Festival
August 22-October 4, 2009
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: Wild Days & Amazing Kinghts (August 22-23), Highland Fling (August 29-30), Buccaneer Beer Fest (September 5-6-7), Wonders of the World (September 12-13), School Day (September 18), Pirate's High Seas Adventure (September 19-20), Harvest Huzzah (September 26-27), Sweet Endings (October 3-4).
Thumbfest
Saturday, September 5, 2009
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 The Yellow Room Gang, Floyd King and the Bushwackers, Bill Bynum & Company, Finvarra's Wren, Brian Wood and the Troubadads, Maggie's Farm, Jen Sygit with Sam Corbin, and many more.
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
September 6-7, 2009
Island Park
Geneva, IL
630-897-3655
http://foxvalleyfolk.com
Performers include Cathy Barton and Dave Para, Debra Cowan, The Folk Brothers, Jack Hardy, Lil' Rev, David Massengill, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, Jack Williams, and many more.
Wheatland Music Festival
September 11-13, 2009
Remus, MI
989-967-8879
http://www.wheatlandmusic.org
Main stage performers include The Steel Drivers, Red Stick Ramblers, Rhythm In Shoes, Ruthie Foster, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz, Crooked Still, Robin & Linda Williams and their Fine Group, Drew Nelson and Friends, Sam Amidon w/ Isaac Alderson, DeTemps Antan, and many more.
