A three concert series kicking off on November 7 will celebrate the best of Michigan’s contemporary folk music. Enjoy an excellent night out at any one of the three, while getting a taste of Grand Rapids’ vibrant creative community.
Freshly dubbed ‘Fresh Folk’, the series will welcome the best of Michigan’s folk artists. St. Cecilia Music Center will host all three concerts in its Royce Auditorium. The 650-seat venue is the perfect size to showcase these talented local musicians in an elegant, intimate setting. All concerts are acoustic.
Rachael and Dominic Davis headline the first concert, coming up soon on November 7. Rachael is a singer-songwriter who pulls her influences from so many sources that she’s dubbed her style ‘motown-banjo’. She’s currently collaborating with her husband Dominic, a member of the band Steppin’ In It, who backs up her singing with his bass guitar. Hometown favorites Troll for Trout will complete the bill with their relaxed, ‘Up North’ brand of folk rock.
On January 9, a “Round Robin” of local artists will take the stage–the line-up includes Drew Nelson, Jen Sygit, Josh Rose, Mark Sala, Jimmie Stagger and May Erlewine. Each singer will have time during the set to tell stories and play original music. Michigan-born Drew Nelson mixes Americana, roots, and folk. In the past he’s opened for Melissa Etheridge. Jen Sygit’s last album, “So Long Polyanna” has been racking up awards from Michigan radio stations, including album of the year from Progressive Torch and Twang.
The Fresh Folk series finishes on April 10, 2014 with a a concert headlined by The Northern Skies. A folk band with a bluegrass edge, The Northern Skies have been honing their craft at festivals across the country. They’ll be playing with Potato Moon, a group formed by the Stancil family. Their diverse styles always highlight the three-part harmonies of the Stancil siblings. Twice honored at the WYCE’s Jammie Awards, Potato Moon’s albums explore the lives of their Michigan ancestors.
A subscription to all three concerts costs $45. Individually, tickets are $20, $10 for students. Visit the St. Cecilia Music Center website to buy tickets.