Two great friends, and members of Michigan’s Earthwork Collective, share an evening of songs and reflection.
The Don Julin Trio
In his return to the Fiddle, Michigan’s mandolin guru presents a night of musical magic.
Violet Bell at the Robin Theatre
“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
May Erlewine
May Erlewine returns to her roots to present a rare, acoustic performance. Now an annual Fiddle event, May presents masterful songs describing real people living real lives in today’s world.
Miko Marks
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!
Anne Hills wsg Matt Watroba
Old friends Anne Hills and Matt Watroba will join together to share a night of new songs and old favorites.
The Very Last Not-So-Annual Fiddle Scouts Used CD and LP Fundraiser
Your last opportunity to sift through thousands of classic folk, blues and Americana CDs and LPs, most for $1 each. All proceeds go to fund Fiddle Scouts, a program where musicians play music with children.
Postponed: Violet Bell
“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
The Wilson Brothers feat. Elden Kelly
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.
May Erlewine
Michigan’s May Erlewine returns to the Fiddle to give a rare solo performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience wonderful songs penned by this marvelous singer. 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
Stella! and The Lesser Halves
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.
Postponed: Stella! and The Lesser Halves
New Date: Friday, Oct. 21.
Low Lily, featuring Lissa Schneckenburger
“[Low Lily has] an incredible knack for putting a little pop twist on a traditional folk/Americana sound… it’s a blend that works beautifully.”-PopMatters
The Fiddle catches this Boston-based band on a rare Midwest tour. This trio does a marvelous job interpreting songs and tunes from all genres, with the help of fiddler extraordinaire, Lissa Schneckenburger.
Streaming from the Archives: Joshua Davis
February 1, 2019 performance. Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land.
Bill Staines
Oct. 2, 2015 and April 5, 2013 performances. “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
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
Cancelled – Joshua Davis
JOSHUA DAVIS WAS RAISED IN THE FOLK TRADITION: THE MUSIC, THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, THE LAND.
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
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!
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
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.
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
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
SOLD OUT – The 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.
The Matchsellers & Red Tail Ring: Old Time Duos
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.
CANCELLED The Fretless – Sunday Concert
“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
Strangers in the Night: The Bands of Elderly Instruments
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.
John Gorka
“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”
MWSFF Concert with Joshua Davis
Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land. For the 17th Annual MWSFF, he will present an evening of songs, joined by special guests Jen Sygit and Laura Bates.
May Erlewine
“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
Jen Sygit – CD release
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.
Don Julin Quartet – Thursday Concert
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.
Mustard’s Retreat – CD Release
“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
Reggie Harris and Ken Whiteley – In Celebration of Pete Seeger!
Ken and Reggie will help the Fiddle celebrate Pete Seeger’s 99th birthday (a day late). Come listen, and sing the songs we know, the songs Pete taught us. Together.
Tim Eriksen
Tim Eriksen is acclaimed for transforming American tradition with his startling interpretations of old ballads, love songs, shape-note gospel and dance tunes from New England and Southern Appalachia.
Joshua Davis
Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land.
The Steel Wheels
“Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels” – NPR’s Mountain Stage
The Bills – Quintet from Western Canada
“Their sound is panoramic, mischievous, fiercely unpretentious – and musically splendid” – Boston Globe
The Ragbirds – In Concert
“It’s rare to hear something new and exciting in the realm of folk/roots music, but the careful alchemists of The Ragbirds have given us just that!” -Bryan Rodgers, Homegrown Music Network
Run Boy Run – In Concert
A dynamic Americana quintet from Arizona.
May Erlewine – In Concert
“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
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason; The Sweet Water Warblers; James Keelaghan – Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival
The 15th Annual Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival – Concert featuring 6 incredible songwriters.
Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys – In Concert
They have spent the last few years barnstorming the country, and Europe, honing their craft. Now, in high demand, Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys have set aside time to visit friends and share their music in their native Michigan.