Other traditional music and dance events
As we learn of other traditional-music events in our area, we'll post them here, starting with jam sessions and scrolling down to concerts and other festivals. We hope you will find something you enjoy, and we especially hope you will patronize the businesses that host jam sessions, sponsor concerts and otherwise support traditional music!
Jam Sessions
Hiawatha Old-Time, Acoustic Jam
Hiawatha sponsors a traditional, acoustic jam with old-time tunes played at slow-to-moderate speeds to make them easier to learn. Normally the first Saturday of the month - with changes for holidays, etc. - 3-5:30 p.m., in the Parlor at Grace United Methodist Church in Marquette (corner of West Fair and Norway; one block east of Lincoln Ave; enter from the lower level parking lot; watch for signs). For more details, please click here. The jam session is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted to support the Hiawatha Youth Scholarship to the Augusta Heritage Festival.
Next jam: Saturday, March 3, at Grace United Methodist Church. Continued thanks to Grace Methodist for making room for our (almost) monthly acoustic jam!
Other traditional, acoustic jam sessions
We keep these listings as current as we can, but you should probably call ahead before you drive a distance to one of these jams, because hours may change, etc.
The Sunday acoustic jam in Marquette at Donckers soda and candy shop, 137 W. Washington in Marquette. 2-5 p.m., Sundays. Thanks to Donckers and to all the places that have hosted this jam in the past several years!
Fun Fact: President Obama visited Marquette on February 10, 2011, and he ate lunch at Donckers and bought chocolates for his daughters. So come to a jam and walk in the footsteps of the President!
Also, congratulations to Donckers, winner of the 2011 Arts Business Honor Roll Award from the Marquette Arts and Culture Center. The accolade recognized a business that has recognized excellence in the arts by supporting artists or arts organizations in its community.
The Sweetwater Cafe at 517 N. Third in Marquette hosts an acoustic jam session Thursday evenings from 6-ish to 9 p.m. Thanks to Sean, Ursula and the Sweetwater staff for supporting traditional music!
Sweetwater Cafe has recently been highlighted and praised by Michael Stern, nationally known food writer and regular contributor to National Public Radio. Stern described Sweetwater as "A restaurant, bakery, and bar with an elevated consciousness, Sweetwater Cafe serves exemplary food that is locally-sourced and made from scratch. Breakfast is notably good, as is the evening's various ways with Lake Superior whitefish." To see the whole review, click here. Congratulations, Sweetwater!
Marquette Community Traditional Jams at the Peter White Public Library. The next jam will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, February 19, in the Community Room of PWPL, 217 N. Front St. in Marquette. Co-sponsored by Hiawatha and PWPL. Join other acoustic musicians for a community jam of traditional folk music. Bring your guitar, fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, bass, or voice to play and sing great tunes by Peter, Paul and Mary, the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and others. A limited quantity of sheet music will be available for use for those not familiar with the songs. This is not a performance but an informal gathering for people interested in playing or singing with others who enjoy traditional acoustic music. Listeners are always welcome. No admission charge, donations welcome. Continued thanks to Margaret Boyle and the PWPL staff for supporting traditional, acoustic music!
Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore in Munising hosts a traditional acoustic jam on Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m., 104 E. Munising Ave., Munising, Mich. 906-387-3008.
Please scroll down for information on Falling Rock's Saturday-night concerts.
Second Sunday jam before each Second Sunday Folk Dance. Each Folk Dance afternoon starts with a free acoustic jam session from 1 to 3 p.m., (Central). The concert begins at 4 p.m. (Central), with White Water and the featured artists. Each Fortune Lake winter concert is followed by light refreshments and a dance. Jams are free; concert admission is $7, free for those under age 15. Please scroll down to the concert section for the performer line-up. The Fortune Lake Camp is located between Iron River and Crystal Falls (in Iron County, Michigan), two miles west of Crystal Falls on US-2. South on Bible Camp Road, right on Fortune Lake Camp Road. 906-822-7889 or white-water-associates.com/second.htm
Celtic Music Sessions every first Sunday and third Tuesday of the month. Celtic sessions will start Tuesday, October 19, at Bennett's Roadhaus and Saloon (formerly Papa Lou's Pub), 716 Vine St., Niagara, Wisc. All sessions will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
First Sunday of the month Celtic sessions will be held at the Evergreen Heights Apartments, 1820 Mary's Way, Kingsford, Mich. (near the Police station and next to Bianco's Fitness Center).
Third Tuesday of the month Celtic sessions will be held at Bennett's Roadhouse and Saloon (formerly Papa Lou's Pub), 716 Vine St., Niagara, Wisc. For more information, call 906-396-8697.
Old-Time Music every Monday, 6:30-8:30(ish) p.m. Informal jam which plays mostly Old-Ttime music with a bit of Irish stuff every now and again. Bennett's Roadhaus Saloon, 716 Vine Street, Niagara, Wisc., 715-251-1661
Bluegrass Jam, 7 p.m., Thursdays, Thunder Bay Inn, Big Bay, Mich. 906-345-9220. As always, open mike.
Traditional Concerts, Festivals and Dances
Bill Harley family concert
The Peter White Public Library presents Bill Harley, two-time Grammy-winning children's musician and storyteller, at 7 p.m., Friday, February 10, at Forest Roberts Theatre on the NMU campus. Harley's songs and stories are perfect for anyone who has ever gone to school, been a part of a family or who is breathing. Tickets available at the Peter White Public Library circulation desk, on the main floor, or by calling 228-9510. Advance: $10 adults, $5 per student; door: $15 adults, $7.50 students.
The concert is part of the Midwinter Storytelling Festival and is sponsored in part by the The Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center, City Insurance Agency, Tourville Apartments, the Friends of the Peter White Public Library and the Carroll Paul Memorial Trust Fund of the Peter White Public Library.
For more information, please visit www.pwpl.info or call the library at 226-4318.
Jim Pennell benefit
February 23, Graveraet School/Kaufman Auditorium. Chili cook-off supper, Graveraet Cafeteria, 5-7 p.m.; silent auction, Graveraet Gym, 5-8 p.m.; local music concert, Kaufman Auditorium, 7-9 p.m. Tickets $10 at the door. Jim Pennell is well-known as part of the local musical duo, Jim and Ray. He has been the Kaufman Auditorium technical director for more than 20 years, and has been an active part of the Hiawatha Festival and other Music Co-op events. He underwent emergency eye surgery January 13, and this benefit will help meet his medical expenses.
The Dance Zone
The Dance Zone, 1113 Lincoln Avenue in Marquette (corner of College and Lincoln), will present the following events:
Contra and Olde Tyme Square Dances: Dance to the traditional sounds of All Strings Considered or just come and listen to the music. 7:30-10 p.m., monthly dances on Fridays, $5 admission; $2 for full-time students. February 10, March 23, April 27, May 11.
Free admissions: If you won a Dance Zone contra dance ticket doorprize at the Hiawatha Annual Meeting, watch for chances to use it in early 2012. Thanks to Marge and Bill Sklar for the generous donation of tickets for our meeting!
The Dance Zone offers many other dance styles and lessons, so please visit their website to see all they do.
The Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center
Beaumier Coffee House Series on the campus of Northern Michigan University will feature acoustic musicians from throughout the Upper Peninsula monthly during the school year. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. Coffee and lemonade will also be available for a small donation.
Next concert: 7 p.m., Saturday, March 10, with Jerry Mills. Peter White Lounge of the NMU University Center.
This series is a new extension of the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival, which is in its third year on the campus of NMU. It is funded in part through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.
The Doug Garrison Show
The Doug Garrison show on FoxUP television in Marquette is occasionally looking for area musicians/bands to be on the show. These are recorded at UpFront and Company in Marquette on Tuesday evenings and are aired at 10:30 p.m., Thursdays. If you are ready for near-prime time, let Doug know and he may contact you when he has an opening. Email Doug at: dgarrison@chartermi.net.
Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore
Live music every Saturday night unless announced otherwise. Suggested admission: $5 adults, $1 child, $20 family. 104 E. Munising Ave., Munising, Mich. 906-387-3008. Shows begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
February 11: Kitty Donohoe. Ann Arbor Emmy recipient who draws from her Irish heritage as well as her American roots in her music, which is rich, earthy and compelling, making good use of her gifts for storytelling, her love of language, and her ear for melody.
February 18: Derrell Syria. Singer/songwriter who spans traditional Scandinavian/Reggae melodies and Gospel-inspired modulation. Always a good show!
February 25: Grassfire Bluegrass Band. A range of influences from Steve Earle, John Prine, Moody Blues and traditional bluegrass tunes.
Northern Michigan University International Performing Arts Series
Second Sunday Folk Dance
Its 26th season started October 9, 2011, and it will be another wonderful set of concerts in fall and winter of 2011-2012. Each Folk Dance afternoon starts with an acoustic jam session from 1 to 3 p.m., (Central). The concert begins at 4 p.m. (Central), with White Water and the featured artists. Each Fortune Lake winter concert is followed by light refreshments and a dance. Concert admission is $7, free for those under age 15.
The Fortune Lake Camp is located between Iron River and Crystal Falls (in Iron County, Michigan), two miles west of Crystal Falls on US-2. South on Bible Camp Road, right on Fortune Lake Camp Road. 906-822-7889 or white-water-associates.com/second.htm
February 12: Kitty Donohoe. Award-winning songwriter whose songs clearly reflect both her Irish and her American roots.
March 11: Lou and Peter Berryman. Musical humorists for more than 35, blending Midwestern culture with intelligent observation in a whimsical and wonderfully accessible performance.
April 15 (THIRD Sunday): Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin. Multi-instrumentalists, gifted songwriters and singers.
Upper Midwest Flatpicking Championship
Saturday, March 24, 2012, The Riverview Hotel and Suites, 100 Spring St. River Falls, Wisc. Sponsored by Brickhouse Music, 216 S. Main St. River Falls. The contest is part of the River Falls Roots and Bluegrass Festival featuring Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys and several national and regional acts. Cash prizes for second and third place and a Larrivee D-50 Dreadnought ($2,800 retail) for the overall winner.
Information, rules and registration can be found at www.uppermidwestflatpicking.com. Registration opens a 11:30 and the contest begins at 12:30. Advance registration is highly recommended.
Marquette Area Blues Festival
Labor Day Weekend, Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. 906-226-7658.
Delta Folk Series
Delta Folk presents the finest in acoustic music. They're re-doing their website; we'll post the new link here as soon as we can.
University of Chicago Folk Festival
52nd Annual Festival, February 10-12, 2012. Concerts and workshops featuring Blues, Bluegrass, Old Time, Cajun and Celtic musicians from around the country.
For even more festival links and traditional music sources, please check our Links page.
