Past Events

Presenting songs of our times, "Crys Matthews is a necessary voice. Her depth coupled with her openness and approachability is unmatched. She has a spark that is contagious and shares music that unites us and makes us think." Viviana Benitez, Associate Producer at Lincoln Center and 2017 NewSong judge

“People ask us how to make a living in an instrumental folk band,” says second fiddle and viola player, Karrnnel Sawitsky. “My answer is simply put: ‘creatively.’” Sawitsky continues, “When our four voices meet at the center of agreement is when our music echoes most effectively. It’s not the sum of our parts. It’s the individual sum of the band.”

2017 Juno Award Winners: Instrumental Album of the Year

Based in Old-Time music, two incredibly talented and charming duos will share the stage in this exciting twin bill.

The Matchsellers: "The first song I listened to was the one about the Pigeon and the Dove and I said "you're hired." -Larry Groce, NPR's Mountain Stage

Red Tail Ring: "The very best of the 21st century's minimalist and highly original folk music . . . a peerless duo." - American Roots UK.

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.

Join Chicago song leader extraordinaire Mark Dvorak and special guest Roger Brown for a full night of songs, community singing and stories surrounding the life of folk music icon, Pete Seeger (1919 - 2014). Lyric sheets provided. Come early for a special warm-up with Mark Dvorak from 6-7 pm.

An evening of Phil Ochs songs hosted by Sonny Ochs, Phil’s sister. The focus will be less on the man, more on his indelible legacy of music and its uncanny relevancy. Interpreting his songs will be four of the most adept and compelling voices of the modern acoustic music scene: Reggie Harris, Tom Prasada-
Rao, Pat Wictor, and Greg Greenway.

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.

"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

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.

"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

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.

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.

"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

“They perform their spectacular harmonies and scatting with percussive rhythm accompaniment. (…) When they sing traditional songs these women demonstrate their real vocal prowess.” - Songlines

"...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

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.

“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

For the annual Holiday Sing, host Sally Potter selects seasonal songs, mostly secular but also a few hymns to create a magical night of musical community. Lyric sheets provided. Special guests include hammered dulcimer player Doug Berch, spoken word artists Ruelaine Stokes and Marzieh Ghiasi, and pianist extraordinaire Doug Austin.

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!

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.

Tim Grimm and Ben Bedford- two highly acclaimed Midwestern songwriters, will make for a brilliant evening at the Fiddle.

Playing the tunes and ditties of the 1920's and more.

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.

Brilliant, hysterical performances and beautifully crafted songs. Cheryl Wheeler is a "Rare artist...strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit." -SingOut!

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.

"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

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.”

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!

“Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels…” – NPR’s Mountain Stage

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.

JOSHUA DAVIS WAS RAISED IN THE FOLK TRADITION: THE MUSIC, THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, THE LAND.

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…