The Fiddle welcomes a world-class duo of virtuosic fiddle, dance, banjo & song from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia.
Lady of the Lake – Karrie Potter Richards, Pooh Stevenson, and Wanda Degen and many special guests
A forty-year anniversary celebration with special guests Doug Berch, Kay Rinker-O’Neil, Dave Langdon, John Mikelsavage, and Mike Ross
Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss & Laurel Premo + Fiddle’s Annual Membership Meeting
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.
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
From Ireland, Karan Casey Trio
“…the Irish equivalent of Emmylou Harris.” – WASHINGTON POST
From Nova Scotia, Cassie & Maggie
“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
Ruby John and John Warstler
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.
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.
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.
From Scotland, Old Blind Dogs
“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.”
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry
Innovative musicians/dancers with a quirky neo-trad soul, Oakland, California-based Evie Ladin & Keith Terry throw down original folk songs and deep interpretations of old songs, with the kinetic thrill of percussive dance.
SOLD OUT! The Chenille Sisters, wsg The Royal Garden Trio
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.
Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard
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.
Cancelled: Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard: FAMILY SHOW
The Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard Family Show scheduled for Sat., May 14 at 5pm has been cancelled. Their 7:30pm show that evening will go on as planned. We look forward to bringing you a robust Fiddle Scouts program in our 2022-23 season.
SOLD OUT! Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves – Wednesday Show
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.
Showman and Coole
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
Ray Kamalay and His Red Hot Peppers + Annual Membership Meeting
In the early 1930’s America enjoyed a heyday of small band jazz… hot jazz, laced with exciting improvisation, ballads – blue and melancholy, and stories of joy and tragedy. Ray Kamalay and his Red Hot Peppers are reminiscent of this peculiar era. With some of the finest players in the United States, they play this music with all the excitement and sentiment typical of the period.
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.
Irish Quartet, Téada
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day week, this veteran Irish band presents both fine instrumentals and outstanding vocal performances. Do you love Celtic music? Do not miss this show!
Cancelled: Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward, Michigan Ukulele Extravaganza
The beloved ukulele duo of Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward will be the Friday night Ten Pound Fiddle concert as part of the weekend Michigan Ukulele Extravaganza, produced by Ben Hassenger and Music is the Foundation. Saturday activities will consist of workshops, strums and a children’s concert.
Postponed: Stella! and The Lesser Halves
New Date: Friday, Oct. 21.
Streaming from the Archives: Jake Blount
Jake Blount in concert at the Ten Pound Fiddle
October 21, 2021
POSTPONED: Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard
New Date: May 14, 2022. 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.
POSTPONED: The Chenille Sisters, wsg The Royal Garden Trio
POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY MAY 20, 2022.
Jake Blount and His Band – Thursday Show
“Jake Blount is a brilliant banjoist, fiddle player and singer… his fingering thrilling and pacy, his voice charismatic and limber.” – Jude Rogers, The Guardian
Jake Blount and His Band are playing a huge festival in Champaign, IL on Friday night. They will make a stop here on Thursday and share his authentic Old Time sound. In the same vein as Rhiannon Giddens and Amythyst Kiah, make sure to catch this rising star in an intimate venue.
Ten Pound Fiddle 47th Birthday Party! Peter ´Madcat´ Ruth and C.A.R.Ma
Peter ´Madcat´ Ruth will introduce his new band, C.A.R.Ma, we’ll have birthday cake, and set up a separate room full of recently donated used CDs for Fiddle Scouts fund-raising sale. Come see your friends, have some cake, check out the recordings, and enjoy the sounds of Madcat and CARMa.
POSTPONED From Scotland, Old Blind Dogs
“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.”
Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey and Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole
Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey (Nov. 6, 2015) and Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole (March 6, 2009; March 22, 2013) performances.
Liz Carroll with Jake Charron
Feb. 22, 2013 performance. “Brilliant…She does more than run through her fingertwisting reels and sustained slow airs. Carroll – and her listeners – continually rediscover each melody.” The New York Times
Lost World String Band Reunion Concert, featuring Frank Youngman, Dave Ross, Gerald Ross and Paul Winder
Feb. 18, 2011 performance.
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.”
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.
The Fabulous Heftones and Friends
Playing the tunes and ditties of the 1920’s and 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
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.
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.
The Seamus Egan Project
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.
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.
Laura Love, Women in the Arts Festival
“(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.
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.
Jarlath Henderson – Sunday Concert
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!
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
Ukes and Steel with The Wilsons and Co. Pre-Concert Uke Strum with The Ukulele Kings
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.
SOLD OUT – Le Vent du Nord
SPECIAL WEDNESDAY SHOW! “If you’ve seen them before, you already know. And if you’ve never seen them, words won’t do them justice. Le Vent du Nord is one of the best bands touring today, no matter your musical taste” – SYRACUSE NEWS TIME
The Alt, with John Doyle, Eamon O’Leary & Cathy Jordan
Each player in The Alt is a leading light of today’s folk scene and though this could be easily called a supergroup. At its heart, The Alt is really a celebration of friendship and song.
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.
The Next Generation, from Wales – Calan
In tune with the St. Pat’s Day season, the Fiddle features a young, spirited, energetic quintet from Wales.
Sound an Echo – Sara Pajunen and Rachael Kilgore
Rachael Kilgour and Sara Pajunen bridge their distinct yet complimentary musical histories within traditional music.
Liz Carroll, with Jake Charron and Nic Gareiss
“Brilliant…She does more than run through her fingertwisting reels and sustained slow airs. Carroll – and her listeners – continually rediscover each melody.” The New York Times
MWSFF Concert with Tom Paxton, with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer and Bruce Molsky’s Mountain Drifters
Tom Paxton headlines the 16th Annual Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Joining him will be Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. Bruce Molsky and his Mountain Drifters will begin the show.
MWSFF Pre-Concert Old Time Music Jam with Molsky’s Mountain Drifters
Join Bruce Molsky, Allison de Groot, and Stash Wyslouch for an Old Time Music Jam, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm, prior to the Friday night concert at the 16th Annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival.
Michigan Fiddle Styles: Molly McBride; Ruby John; Judy Raber
Join your friends at the Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series when “The Fiddle” welcomes three of Michigan’s favorite Old Time fiddlers for a night of tunes, songs and the stories behind the music.
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
From Toronto – The Fitzgeralds
“The Fitzgeralds are standout musicians in our Canadian music industry…The caliber of musicianship is very high- I think together they are beautiful blend of gorgeous fiddle music, and top rate, absolutely exhilarating dance routines.” -Natalie MacMaster, Cape Breton Fiddling Sensation
Joe Crookston
“At every festival I hope to find the gift of one artist whose songwriting and performance stand out. Joe Crookston was that gift for me this year at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Stunning performance, great songs, and not a word wasted! I LOVE That!” David Francey – Songwriter Ontario
Scott Ainslie
“Ten Pound Fiddle is where I’ll be spending my 65th birthday, playing for the community of listeners and celebrating a half century of guitar playing and live performing.”
Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project
Focusing on songs collected by folklorist and field recording pioneer Alan Lomax, this collaboratory brings together some of North America’s most distinctive and creative roots musicians to revive, recycle, and reimagine traditional music. Join the Fiddle for this very, very special mid-week concert, to be held at Urban Beat, a new, intimate performance space on the first block of Turner Street, in Lansing’s Old Town.
Ten Strings and a Goat Skin
“A seamless, polished, barrel-drum-tight, rhythmically innovative and wildly entertaining traditional music powerhouse.” -The Guardian
James Hill and Anne Janelle
If you are a fan, or a participant in the most recent Ukulele wave, you need to experience James Hill! FREE pre-show strum for ticket holders!
Pat Donohue – In Concert
You have enjoyed hearing him play with The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band on Prairie Home Companion. Now, hear the exquisite musicianship of Pat Donohue.