
September 2019
Drummunity Drumming with Lori Fithian
Lori Fithian is back by popular demand to lead another ”Drummunity” circle.
Find out more »Dennis Stroughmatt and L’esprit Creole (Trio)
With driving fiddle tunes, haunting ballads, fast paced “chanson a répondre” (response songs) and even some Mississippi river swing, this is a band that inspires, entertains and dares you not to enjoy it.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Bev Bernbaum, Music: TBA. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association
Find out more »Bill Staines
"Bill Staines has been my hero since 1977. He carries on where Woody left off-carrying on the tradition of stories and characters you wish you knew." - Nanci Griffith
Find out more »October 2019
CD & Vinyl Sale and Fundraiser
An event every day that begins at 9:00 am, repeating until October 5, 2019
3500 Used LPs and 1000 Used CDs. Last Chance to pick up some of the finest recordings in folk music! A two-day fundraiser for the Fiddle Scouts.
Find out more »Tannahill Weavers
Scottish trailblazers the Tannahill Weavers return to East Lansing! Join them as they perform their favourite tunes and songs with bagpipes, fiddle, flute, harmony vocals, and plenty of laughs. For 2019 they've got the inimitable Mike Katz on bagpipes - don't miss it! Remember Celtic Music + Humor = FUN.
Find out more »CD & Vinyl Sale and Fundraiser
An event every day that begins at 9:00 am, repeating until October 5, 2019
3500 Used LPs and 1000 Used CDs. Last Chance to pick up some of the finest recordings in folk music! A two-day fundraiser for the Fiddle Scouts.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Mike Clark, Music: Askin’ for Trouble
Find out more »May Erlewine – CD Release
"May Erlewine has the sort of soul-baring voice that moves the Alan Lomaxes of the world to abandon the ivory tower for the back roads of rural America." - The Harvard Independent
Find out more »Children’s Show with May Erlewine
Come join folk enthusiasts ages 3 - 13 and their family for a Children’s Show with May Erlewine!
Find out more »“Mother Jones in Heaven” – A Musical by Si Kahn (Wednesday)
Mother Jones In Heaven - a musical by Si Kahn starring Vivian Nesbitt as “Mother” Jones, with musical accompaniment by John Dillon. Legendary labor organizer “Mother”Jones looks back over her life in story and song. Kahn's musical reveals profound insights, interwoven with hilarious tales of a hellion in her prime.
Find out more »Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds
Led by dynamic, multi-instrumentalist front-woman Erin Zindle, The Ragbirds create music that is equally danceable, intelligent and vulnerable. They incorporate indie-pop melodies, global-infused beats, rock guitar riffs and folk sensibilities in a high-energy live show which leaves every listener in a higher place than when it began.
Find out more »Looking Glass Music & Dance Festival
Callers: Roger Diggle & Alexandra Deis-Lauby. Music: Hot Point String Band. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »Joel Mabus
"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
Find out more »November 2019
Asaran Earth Trio
“They perform their spectacular harmonies and scatting with percussive rhythm accompaniment. (…) When they sing traditional songs these women demonstrate their real vocal prowess.” - Songlines
Find out more »Sing, Play and Dance with John French and his ukulele
Come join folk enthusiasts ages 3 - 13 and their family to Sing, Play and Dance with John French and his ukulele.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Rick Szumski, Music: Mike, Myron & Paul
Find out more »Natalia Zukerman’s musical presentation of “The Women Who Rode Away” wsg Kate Peterson
"...this is simply one of the most compelling and riveting events we have ever hosted on The Extended Play Sessions. It speaks of empowerment, struggle, tolerance, perseverance and history and the timeliness of this project could not be more poignant. A woman, seated alone on a stage, paying tribute to women...with beauty, style, grace and a boatload of talent!”
- Bill Hurley - Producer, The Extended Play Sessions
Windborne
Co-produced with the Peace Education Center in conjunction with it’s Alternative Holiday sale. Internationally acclaimed vocal group Windborne is known for the power and innovation of their arrangements, as well as their unrivaled mastery of polyphonic music from around the world. Currently Windborne is touring a project called Song on the Times, songs of social struggle from movements over the past 400 years.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Maeve Devlin, Music: Banjo Tramps. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association
Find out more »Amythyst Kiah (Wednesday)
“Amythyst Kiah is one of roots music’s most exciting emerging talents, blending a deep knowledge of old time music with sensibilities spanning classic country to contemporary R&B.”— ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE
Find out more »December 2019
Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Martha Vander Kolk, Music: Scarlet Runner String Band
Find out more »Holiday Sing-A-Long with Carrie Quisenberry
Carrie Quisenberry will be leading a sing-a-long of favorite holiday tunes. Come celebrate the season with singing, percussive instruments, and merry making. Songsheets will be provided.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Caller: TBA, Music: Luke Panning & Friends. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association
Find out more »New Years Eve Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Darlene Underwood; Music: The Johns
Find out more »January 2020
Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Julie Levy-Weston, Music: Banjo Tramps
Find out more »Connie Kaldor and Garnet Rogers
Following two nights at the venerable Hugh’s Room in Toronto, these two highly acclaimed veterans of Canadian folk music will stop by The Fiddle as part of a rare, short Midwest tour. The Fiddle has hosted each of them several times before. Now, both on one night! Do not miss this!
Find out more »James Keelaghan
Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Band: Scarlet Runner String Band, with Caller: Dwayne Johnson. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »Tim Grimm and Ben Bedford
Tim Grimm and Ben Bedford- two highly acclaimed Midwestern songwriters, will make for a brilliant evening at the Fiddle.
Find out more »Rescheduled: Many Cultures, Many (Unusual) Instruments with Brian Kruschwitz of Yurtfolk
Due to the predicted inclement weather, we are rescheduling this month's Fiddle Scouts program to January 25th.
Our musician, Brian Kruschwitz is coming up from Indiana and we didn't want him to get stuck in an ice storm.
Brian will bring a collection of uncommon, unusual and sometimes downright odd instruments. He will use songs and stories to bring these instruments to life. Some audience members will get to try them out!
Find out more »MWSFF Concert: House of Hamill, and Liz Carroll with Nic Gareiss and harpist Maeve Gilchrist
Chicago’s premier Irish fiddler Liz Carroll is joined by harpist Maeve Gilchrist, and Lansing’s own dance phenom Nic Gareiss. Opening the night will be intricate, unpredictable arrangements of traditional songs and fiddle tunes; compelling and catchy original songs and completely unexpected covers, by Philadelphia's House of Hamill.
Find out more »February 2020
MWSFF Children’s Concert with Mark Dvorak
MWSFF Children's Concert, co-produced with the City of East Lansing.
Find out more »MWSFF Afternoon Workshops
A highlight of the festival, 8 afternoon workshops provide another opportunity for our community to sing and play music - together. One $10 wristband is good for the all of the sessions. Students are free!
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Band: Scarlet Runner String Band, with Caller: Peter Baker
Find out more »MWSFF Community Sing with Songleader Dan Chouinard
With lyrics supplied, Chouinard lets fly with inventive, often playful, accompaniments, rarely glancing at the keyboard — a feat that one regular considers magic. “It’s kind of his calling,” said the man who’s attended these singalongs for ten years. “I mean, you know he could be playing with anyone, but here he is with us."
Find out more »The Fabulous Heftones and Friends
Playing the tunes and ditties of the 1920's and more.
Find out more »SOLD OUT! Sweet Water Warblers: Rachael Davis, May Erlewine, Lindsay Lou
Michigan songbirds, Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou and May Erlewine have each carved out successful careers on the American Roots Music circuit and have grown to respect each other’s work. When they finally gelled into a potent musical force, it was natural – three singing sirens and multi-instrumentalists whose repertoire swings from gospel and bluegrass to soul and even joyful interpretations of pop. Their three-part vocal harmonies are sublime, and they trade instruments including mountain fiddle and banjo, uke, guitar and double bass.
Find out more »Contra and Square Dance
Band: Asking for Trouble with Caller: Julie Levy Weston. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »Cheryl Wheeler
Brilliant, hysterical performances and beautifully crafted songs. Cheryl Wheeler is a "Rare artist...strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit." -SingOut!
Find out more »Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (Sunday)
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters – a laser-tight trio with an ear for lovely, lilting traditional melodies. The grace and wisdom of Grammy nominated fiddler Bruce Molsky, Berklee College of Music’s Visiting Scholar melds with the electricity of guitarist Stash Wyslouch and banjoist Allison de Groot’s to bring new ideas to traditional music.
Find out more »Scott Cook (Thursday)
"He sings his heart and soul, and in doing so lets light flood into your own... He has a good eye for imagery, a gentle human touch, a wry sense of humour, a whole lot of integrity, a warm, rugged voice and a bunch of memorable lines... Truly one of Woody Guthrie's children." -RnR Magazine
Find out more »JigJam
JigJam is a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘iGrass’, their onstage energy along with their virtuos musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world. “Here’s an Irish band that’s going to impact the world as hard as Clancy Brothers or U2 if they get only half a chance.”
Find out more »March 2020
Kyshona
Kyshona was named one of NPR's Indie Discoveries of 2017. With a combination of poignant songwriting and one of the most powerful Roots/soul voices in the industry, Kyshona's star is on the rise!
Find out more »Whimsical Nature Songs with Miss Wanda
Come join folk enthusiasts ages 3 - 13 and their family for Whimsical Nature Songs with Miss Wanda
Find out more »English, Contra and Square Dance
Bob Stein’s 85 birthday dance! Caller: Gaye Fifer, Music: Big Fun
Find out more »Cancelled – Annual Ten Pound Fiddle Membership Meeting
All are welcome. (Only) Fiddle members vote on any issues. Meet the Fiddle Board of Directors. MSU Community Music School, East Lansing.
Find out more »Cancelled – The Steel Wheels
“Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels…” – NPR’s Mountain Stage
Find out more »Cancelled – Lynn Miles
The music of Lynn Miles is truly one of a kind. Not only is she one of Canada's best singer-songwriters, she's one of the best, period.
Find out more »Cancelled – Contra and Square Dance
Band: Banjo Tramps with Caller: Rick Szumski. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »Cancelled – Joshua Davis
JOSHUA DAVIS WAS RAISED IN THE FOLK TRADITION: THE MUSIC, THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, THE LAND.
Find out more »April 2020
Cancelled – Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard
Due to Coronavirus-related concerns, we are tremendously sorry to say that the remainder of the spring season concerts are cancelled. Click here to learn more. FRANK YOUNGMAN: Frank has been playing all types of music his whole life. A multi-instrumentalist, he has performed in places as diverse as The Improv Comedy Club in New York City to A Prairie Home Companion. A founding member of The Lost World Stringband, The Pets, and Jive at Five, he continues to keep a…
Find out more »Cancelled – Ukulele Day with Ben Hassenger
Come join folk enthusiasts ages 3 - 13 and their family for Ukulele Day with Ben Hassenger!
Find out more »Cancelled – Contra and Square Dance
Band: Askin' For Trouble, with Caller: Carol Steiner
Find out more »Cancelled – Low Lily, including fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger
" an incredible knack for putting a little pop twist on a traditional folk/Americana sound... it’s a blend that works beautifully."PopMatters
Find out more »Cancelled – Contra and Square Dance
Band: Scarlet Runner String Band with Caller: Maeve Devlin. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »Cancelled – Emma’s Revolution, with Pat Humphries and Sandy O.
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.
Find out more »May 2020
Cancelled – Year End Party: Come dance and sing to your favorite Fiddle Scouts tunes
Come join folk enthusiasts ages 3 - 13 and their family for our Year End Party!
Find out more »Cancelled – Contra and Square Dance
Caller: TBA, Music: TBA. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »June 2020
Cancelled – Contra and Square Dance
Caller: Gaye Fifer, Music: Luke Panning & friends. Sponsored by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association.
Find out more »August 2020
The Steel Wheels
Performances from January 25, 2013 and October 8, 2010. “Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels…” – NPR’s Mountain Stage
Find out more »September 2020
Susan Werner
Feb. 15, 2013 performance. Susan Werner composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm.
Find out more »October 2020
Lost World String Band Reunion Concert, featuring Frank Youngman, Dave Ross, Gerald Ross and Paul Winder
Feb. 18, 2011 performance.
Find out more »Connie Kaldor
February 28, 2014 performance. "...quirky, often wickedly funny." -Regina Leader-Post
Find out more »November 2020
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Feb. 10, 2012 performance
Find out more »Joel Mabus
Dec. 4, 2015 and Jan. 16, 2009 performances. "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
Find out more »December 2020
Holiday Sing Highlights, hosted by Sally Potter
Highlights from the 2009 and 2011 Holiday Sings feature Sally Potter, Doug Berch, Kitty Donohoe, Wanda Degen, Linda Abar and poet Robert Rentchler.
Find out more »January 2021
Anne Hills and Michael Smith
September 27, 2013 performance.
Find out more »