Past Events › Concert

Clawhammer banjo picking songwriter Chris Coole and his long-time musical collaborator, fiddler extraordinaire, John Showman.

“John Showman has made his mark as “one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada” -Steve Pritchard, CIUT 89.5 FM

“Chris’ clawhammer banjo playing is, frankly, incomparable” -Mitch Podolak, Penguin Eggs Magazine

Emma's Revolution is the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O, whose songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger, and covered by Holly Near. With beautiful harmonies and genre-defying eclecticism, Emma’s Revolution delivers an uprising of truth and hope for these tumultuous times.

Michigan's favorite songbirds Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine, return to the Fiddle for a SATURDAY evening with the organic vocal harmonies and seamlessly interwoven instrumentation that leaves listeners breathless.

Co-produced with The Robin Theatre, in Lansing's REO Town. Already leaders in the young generation of roots musicians, de Groot has become known for her intricate clawhammer banjo work with Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, while Hargreaves has brought her powerhouse fiddling to the stage with Gillian Welch and Laurie Lewis. Together they create a sound that is adventurous, masterful, and original, as they expand on the eccentricities of these old songs, while never losing sight of what makes them endure.

Singing Festival favorite and Lost World String Band founder, Frank Youngman teams up with Earthworks Music founder, songwriter and environmental activist Seth Bernard for a night of these two great friends sharing music, stories and fun.

From Ann Arbor, the Chenille Sisters return to the same building where they played their first Ten Pound Fiddle performance 30 years ago.    Word was out. That night, the Copper Chimney Lounge was packed to the brim. For this show, we'll be in the much larger sanctuary. The night will begin with a shorter set by the incredibly talented, Michigan-based Royal Garden Trio.  

In Sound an Echo, Rachael Kilgour and Sara Pajunen bridge their distinct yet complementary musical histories within traditional music from their European heritages. What happens when a Finnish fiddler extraordinaire teams up with a veteran singer songwriter? Magic. These Minnesota natives match energy, speed and intonation and deliver an evening of solid sound and song.

"The Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm," says The Scotsman, “...as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion."

“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” It has been too long since Gilbert has given a Fiddle show. We welcome him back! 

'Kitty Donohoe is a true treasure - a rare songwriter with tremendous range, a beautiful voice and an ability to write haunting, melodic and literate songs.' - All Music Guide

Stella! is the Michigan-based, singer-songwriting trio of Jo Serrapere, Jen Sygit, and Julianna Wilson. From comic relief to heartbreaking ballads, they accompany their three-part harmonies with guitar, banjo, upright bass, and percussion. For this special event, each member of Stella! will also perform with their respective lesser half: John Divine, Geoff Lewis, and Andy Wilson.

It's a 10-year Reunion show! Co-produced with the East Lansing Women in the Arts Festival, the Fiddle is excited to welcome back Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver of Nervous but Excited for a very special evening at Edgewood United Church.

Co-produced with The Robin Theatre, in Lansing´s REO Town. 

Their infectious stage show and breadth of material pushed Full Cord through to a win of the 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in June and a nomination as the Momentum Band of the year at the upcoming International Bluegrass Music Awards. With two shows never the same, their followers in Michigan and beyond try to catch every show, never knowing what teaser or new song will be in the set list.

The Fiddle is thrilled not only to present Michigan's own Wilson brothers, but the addition of Elden Kelly makes this a 'can't miss' night for acoustic music lovers.

“Damn tall buildings is a damn fine trio, mixing bluegrass, swing, and foot-stomping old-time music you wouldn’t think possible from a band from Brooklyn.” — No Depression

"An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new." - New York Times

Ruby John has been captivating audiences with her driving fiddle style. She with John Warstler will present a night full of a variety of fiddle tunes, sing some songs, and tell stories of Ruby's life in her journey to blend her fiddling with her Native heritage.

“With songs ranging from heartbreakingly beautiful and soft to loud and boisterous, Cassie and Maggie's sisterly voices blend in such a way that you automatically know it is genetic… theirs are voices that wrap themselves around each other more than others.” -No Depression

Fiddle favorites Matt Watroba and Claudia Schmidt return for a heartwarming evening of song and story.

Singer-songwriter Deidre McCalla, the "dreadlocked troubadour" celebrates the power and diversity of the human spirit.

"...the Irish equivalent of Emmylou Harris." - WASHINGTON POST

Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss and Laurel Premo, award-winning folk performers, have joined forces in a bewitchment of rich tones, deft movements and stories long untold. Through traditional songs familiar and arcane, this new trio celebrates the deep rhythms and subtle harmonies of America’s eldest musics.

Annual Ten Pound Fiddle Membership Meeting, 6 pm – 7 pm. All are welcome. (Only) Fiddle members vote on any issues. Meet the Fiddle Board of Directors. Held at the UUMC before the concert.

James Keelaghan returns to the Fiddle in support of his CD release for 'Second Hand.'

The Fiddle welcomes a world-class duo of virtuosic fiddle, dance, banjo & song from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia.

“Katie Dahl’s songs aren’t just melodies and words, they’re journeys that are firmly grounded in a sense of place—beautiful, real landscapes that help you feel places that you may have never been before. That’s the very best kind of songwriting. - Dar Williams

Co-presented with the Robin Theatre. Lone Piñon is a New Mexican string band, or “orquesta típica”, whose music celebrates the integrity and diversity of their region's cultural roots.

Old friends Anne Hills and Matt Watroba will join together to share a night of new songs and old favorites.

This Flint native leans into life through her exquisite songs and stories. A veteran of the country / Americana music scene, The Fiddle is excited to finally host Miko Marks!

"It's hard to imagine another artist on the folk scene who combines the same concise, deceptively understated, lyrical insight and sometimes devastating wit with such world-class instrumental prowess." -MUSICHOUND FOLK

Co-presented with the Robin Theatre. This trio of virtuoso multi-instrumentalists are immensely fun. Performing expertly curated songs from bygone eras, in antiquated styles, they deliver delightful and memorable shows every time.

Featuring Annie Bacon, Fay Burns, Emily Slomovits, Sara Gibson, and Julianna Wilson... what does Annie Capps have in store?

You have seen him in Solas or playing with Liz Carroll. Don't miss this very rare solo visit by one of Celtic musics superstars!

Two of Michigan's finest acoustic duos team up for a night of original songs, old favorites, and a lot of laughs.

May Erlewine returns to her roots to present a rare, solo acoustic performance. Now an annual Fiddle event, May presents masterful songs describing real people living real lives in today's world.

“In a crowded field of Americana artists who claim influence from disparate genres…. Violet Bell truly pushes against the limitations and expectations of genres and genders.. Ross’s soulful vocal gymnastics sound downright wild… defying stylistic bounds.” -Indyweek

A powerful, local performance poetry troupe teams with pianist Adrienne Torf to recreate her classic work, "Collaboration." Co-sponsored with the East Lansing Women in the Arts Festival.

In his return to the Fiddle, Michigan's mandolin guru Don Julin and friends Joe Wilson and Kevin Gills team up to present a night of musical magic.

For 20 years, song leader and banjoist Sally Potter has invited the community to sing holiday songs - together. With familiar faces Doug Austin on the grand piano and Doug Berch on hammered dulcimer, and spoken word artist Ruelaine Stokes, Potter leads familiar selections surrounding winter, Solstice, peace, Christmas, and beyond. Lyric sheets provided.

Two masters of the blues together for one very special evening!

Chicago Irish fiddler Liz Carroll joins Old Time banjoist Allison De Groot and percussive dancer extraordinaire Nic Gareiss for a night of music and dance exploration.

Co-produced with the Robin Theatre. A Michigan-based supergroup of bluegrass virtuosos featuring Jason Dennie, Scott Kendall, Keith Billik, and Aaron Markovitz.

RUNA breathes fresh life into traditional Celtic music by digging into the songs and tunes to find the universal thread that binds past to present.

The young and vibrant Southwest Louisiana band takes Cajun, honky-tonk, and string-band music as their starting point, and keeps an open mind about where their song craft will lead them. Food and Drinks available on site at Urban Beat.

UPDATE: The Ten Pound Fiddle has just learned that Seth Bernard has COVID and cannot be part of tonight's show. That means that tonight's audience will be treated to a full night of music from the multi-talented, delightful, Earthwork Music Collective member, Jordan Hamilton. See you there!

Co-produced with the Robin Theatre. Often described as an old soul singer songwriter, “what Sam Robbins does looks effortless. He's self-motivated, genuine and has a quiet confidence that simply grabs your attention any time he is on stage.” — Patty Duffey, Music On and Up

What happens when the finest Klezmer fiddler of his generation teams up with a friend, a marvelous multi-instrumentalist? Come find out!

America's Premiere Hot Jazz & Western Swing Trio: "An arsenal full of technique and joy." - Jon Caramanica, New York Times

The Springtails - led by Julianna and Andy Wilson - are a Michigan-based band known for their swing-era style vocals and eclectic instrumentation. Joining forces with the incomparable Joe Wilson, this special show will celebrate the release of their new recording AND their new line-up.

Transatlantic Singer-Songwriter from Manchester, UK and the writer of "The President Sang Amazing Grace."