Traditions Showcases
The Great Lakes Folk Festival strives to not only present great music
but to inform audiences about the history and social context of the music.
Each year, a few on-stage sessions are devoted to musicians who share stories
about their art as well as compare different styles and traditions of
playing one type of instrument (i.e. fiddle, lute, accordion). Sessions
are also devoted to tradition bearers from Michigan who share with audience
members how they learned their skills and how they pass them on in their
communities today.
The 2009 Great Lakes Folk Festival's “Traditions Showcases” will include sets with Fiddle Traditions, Hard Luck Songs and Immigrant Songs. These showcases illustrate cultural similarities and differences, varying techniques, styles and influences, and also the process of change in musical traditions. Every year, showcases are among the Festival's most popular sessions. 2009 Showcases stage schedule will be available in Mid-July.
Schedule
This year, Traditions Showcases include:
- FIDDLE TRADITIONS - Saturday, 1:00 PM - M.A.C. Stage
- Louis Michot (Cajun - Lost Bayou Ramblers)
- Jimmy Buchanan (Bluegrass - Jesse McReynolds)
- Louise Arsenault (Acadian - Gadelle)
- Daire Bracken (Celtic - Slide)
- Aleksandar Gajic (Klezmer - Beyond The Pale)
- HARD LUCK SONGS - Sunday, Noon - M.A.C. Stage
- Jesse McReynolds (Bluegrass)
- Diunna Greenleaf (Blues)
- Slide (Irish)
- IMMIGRANT SONGS - Sunday, 2:00 PM - M.A.C. Stage
- Gadelle (Acadian)
- Les Ross, Sr. (Finnish-American)
- The Berntsons (Norwegian-American)
- Slide (Irish)
