Past Events

What happens when four friends get together to plan a couple of sets of favorites? We'll find out! We do know that ukuleles, harmonicas, trumpets, pedal steel guitars, guitars, vocals, harmonies, along with a myriad of surprises, will be involved.

"However, the group actually started out as a trio ... and for a new album and current concerts, original member Libby Glover has rejoined David Tamulevich and Michael Hough. Her presence brings a whole new dimension to the Mustard's Retreat sound, yet the transition sounds just like it feels ... perfectly natural." - Bob Needham, Pulp, Ann Arbor

"...music to cure what ails you." - Michigan Times

Renowned primarily for his extraordinary prowess on Uilleann pipes and whistles, Henderson is fast emerging as an equally gifted vocalist. (Similar to last season's Le Vent Du Nord show) this very special Sunday concert is one of those extraordinary events you will not want to miss!

Hear one of the world's best on mandolin, backed by familiar, stellar Michigan musicians, in the intimate Robin Theater for this very special Thursday night show with Don Julin on mandolin, Joe Wilson on dobro, Kevin Gills on bass and David Collini on cajon.

1 - 3 pm: 1960s Rock Music Overview; 4 - 6 pm: The Rise and Influence of Motown. Dick Rosemont will present an entertaining and incisive look at the music environment of the 1960s. It was a significant period for changes in all aspects of culture and the music business. Hear some of the significant songs of the era and recordings that influenced future artists and styles. The first session provides a general overview of 1960s rock as it evolved musically, culturally, and commercially: from pre-Beatles pop to later-decade "acid rock." The second session looks at Motown and its influences, tracing the rise and success of the largest black-owned company in the country, and its impact on music culture.

Jen's fourth studio album "It's About Time," is produced by long time friend and collaborator Dominic John Davis (bassist for Jack White, Buddy Miller, North Mississippi Allstars, Joshua Davis). This new collection of original songs is an eclectic sonic journey drawing influence from a cross section of middle America, from the Gulf Shore sands to the Great Lakes basin. "It's About Time" was engineered at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo by Ian Gorman and features a talented ensemble of players including Davis, Drew Howard, Mike Lynch, Geoff Lewis and Ross Huff.

This is old-time music for today's old soul.

Chris Coole on banjo, John Showman on fiddle and Max Heineman on bass bring a deep respect for the roots of the music, a keen sense of innovation to the performance and material, and a passion for the sound that transcends both.

"Three of the most accomplished Old-Time musicians on the planet, the Lonesome Ace Stringband does a masterful job melding their talents"-Brad Kolodner (WAMU Washington, DC)

"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

GROUP KNITTING CIRCLE WITH CHRISTINE AT 6:30!  Click event to learn more... "Christine Lavin is an incredibly witty songwriter and storyteller, with a flair for the creative, the dramatic, and the humorous. It is precisely her take on the ordinary that makes her work so extraordinary." -Village Voice

Moira Smiley is a singer's singer, with such an engaging presence that you want to sing with her - no matter where the sound goes. If you love to sing, do not miss this evening of singing with one of the very, very best leaders of song.

"(LAURA LOVE) will shake the world. The clincher is her live show...She's that rare artist who can slip from sensitive folk to hip-hop without skipping a beat. -Utne Reader

Laura Love is an award winning "folk-funk" singer/songwriter/bassist who has been touring the world since the early 1990s.

Sam Gleaves is a leader in the next generation of exquisite folk singers. "Courageous as hell and country to the bone -- Amazingly talented Sam Gleaves, the best young songwriter around, heads into new territory with his brilliant album AIN'T WE BROTHERS, joined by a group of world-class musicians and singers. Varied, intelligent, moving - these songs stay with you." -Lee Smith, Appalachian author

Co-produced with the Peace Education Center and held in conjunction with its Alternative Holiday Sale

"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

For the annual Holiday Sing, host Sally Potter selects seasonal and secular songs, and a few hymns to create a magical night of musical community. Lyric sheets provided. Special guests Jamie-Sue Seal and Susan O'Rourke, Doug Berch, poet Ruelaine Stokes and pianist extraordinaire Doug Austin add vocals and accompaniment to this heartwarming, participatory evening.

The septet Heartland Klezmorim will take listeners on a narrated musical journey, starting in Eastern Europe, through world historical events, including emigration to the United States. You are invited to bear witness to this very special presentation tracing the road of Jewish migration through music.

Long-time musical partners, Watroba and Jones will present music that reflects history, social change, migration, hopes and dreams. This is music that is rich and diverse, direct and powerful. This is a musical seminar - not to be missed!

From Newfoundland, Matthew Byrne is a stellar interpreter of traditional songs. One of this younger generation's superstars, Byrne fit this special Sunday night show into his very crowded tour schedule. The Fiddle is delighted to present this 'old soul' in a very intimate Robin Theater show.

"There are few contemporary songwriters that come anywhere close to the talent of John Gorka. His songs have a way of working on you long after you thought you had it all figured out. I will listen to a song that I know all the words to and can sing a long with and then one day sitting at a traffic light I realize that there was a whole other layer of meaning that I had missed." - Ben Wakeman, "Take Me to the Bridge"

Seamus Egan (Solas, Shanachie Records) teams up with composer and guitarist Kyle Sanna, and multi-instrumentalist Owen Marshall (The Press Gang, Haas, Walsh and Marshall) to present an incredible evening of world-class music, steeped in the Celtic tradition.

Come enjoy a night of music from folks who sell instruments by day, and then play them after hours. "Strangers in the Night," is just one of the evening's five bands which features employees and friends of Lansing's world-renowned music store, Elderly Instruments.

Detroit-area quartet, Finvarra's Wren, will present a set of Irish songs and tunes, followed by a Pub Sing, led by song leader Sally Potter. Lyric sheets provided. Crafts beer available, refreshments provided.

A Scots, Irish, and Cape Breton fusion of songs, tunes and step dance, The Outside Track is a young, tight, very talented, high-energy quintet which combines immense talent from three shores. On the weekend of St. Pat's Day, don't miss live Celtic music at its finest!

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. MSU Community Music School, East Lansing.

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