Two singer-songwriters bring uniquely overlapping styles for a magical night of authentic, soulful folk.
Transatlantic Singer-Songwriter from Manchester, UK and the writer of "The President Sang Amazing Grace."
Fun-loving ukulele trio who are who are just big kids at heart, featuring Ben Hassenger, Patrick Malloy, and
Steve Szilagyi. Come dance and sing along to songs about cats, dogs, bugs, and birds and all the other things that make life wonderful.
The Springtails - led by Julianna and Andy Wilson - are a Michigan-based band known for their swing-era style vocals and eclectic instrumentation. Joining forces with the incomparable Joe Wilson, this special show will celebrate the release of their new recording AND their new line-up.
America's Premiere Hot Jazz & Western Swing Trio: "An arsenal full of technique and joy." - Jon Caramanica, New York Times
“One of Canada’s best loved troubadours” --Toronto Star, “The closest thing has to Woody Guthrie” --The Georgia Straight
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.
UPDATE: The Ten Pound Fiddle has just learned that Seth Bernard has COVID and cannot be part of tonight's show. That means that tonight's audience will be treated to a full night of music from the multi-talented, delightful, Earthwork Music Collective member, Jordan Hamilton. See you there!
RUNA breathes fresh life into traditional Celtic music by digging into the songs and tunes to find the universal thread that binds past to present.
At this 20th Singing Festival, the Saturday afternoon community sing will pull songs from the two books that have sustained the community singing movement: Rise Up Singing and Rise Again. A group of experienced song leaders will take turns leading their favorites. Books welcome but not necessary; lyric sheets provided.
Northern Michigan family roots band with tight harmonies, hilarious original songs and traditional music, featuring
Tiyi Schippers, David Bunce, Rachael Davis, and more.
The 20th Mid-Winter Singing Festival starts with the huge Community Sing, led by veterans Rachael Davis, Joel Mabus, Robert B. Jones, and Frank Youngman. Lyric sheets provided.
Chicago Irish fiddler Liz Carroll joins Old Time banjoist Allison De Groot and percussive dancer extraordinaire Nic Gareiss for a night of music and dance exploration.
Two masters of the blues together for one very special evening!
For 20 years, song leader and banjoist Sally Potter has invited the community to sing holiday songs - together. With familiar faces Doug Austin on the grand piano and Doug Berch on hammered dulcimer, and spoken word artist Ruelaine Stokes, Potter leads familiar selections surrounding winter, Solstice, peace, Christmas, and beyond. Lyric sheets provided.
In his return to the Fiddle, Michigan's mandolin guru Don Julin and friends Joe Wilson and Kevin Gills team up to present a night of musical magic.
Join world percussionist/music therapist Carolyn Koebel and Ugandan drummer/dancer/singer/multi-instrumentalist Samuel Nalangira for a fun-filled, interactive African musical jamboree!
May Erlewine returns to her roots to present a rare, solo acoustic performance. Now an annual Fiddle event, May presents masterful songs describing real people living real lives in today's world.
Two of Michigan's finest acoustic duos team up for a night of original songs, old favorites, and a lot of laughs.
You have seen him in Solas or playing with Liz Carroll. Don't miss this very rare solo visit by one of Celtic musics superstars!
Featuring Annie Bacon, Fay Burns, Emily Slomovits, Sara Gibson, and Julianna Wilson... what does Annie Capps have in store?
"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
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!
Old friends Anne Hills and Matt Watroba will join together to share a night of new songs and old favorites.
Musicians Wanda Degen & Dan Giacobassi present a fun, educational, interactive concert for children & families.
“Katie Dahl’s songs aren’t just melodies and words, they’re journeys that are firmly grounded in a sense of place—beautiful, real landscapes that help you feel places that you may have never been before. That’s the very best kind of songwriting. - Dar Williams
The Fiddle welcomes a world-class duo of virtuosic fiddle, dance, banjo & song from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia.
A forty-year anniversary celebration with special guests Doug Berch, Kay Rinker-O'Neil, Dave Langdon, John Mikelsavage, and Mike Ross
This eclectic Michigan-based trio has a quirky repertoire performed on a variety of instruments that will delight children of all ages.
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.
“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 Irish equivalent of Emmylou Harris." - WASHINGTON POST
Singer-songwriter Deidre McCalla, the "dreadlocked troubadour" celebrates the power and diversity of the human spirit.
Fiddle favorites Matt Watroba and Claudia Schmidt return for a heartwarming evening of song and story.
Celebrate the return of Fiddle Scouts with the return of Lori Fithian and her “Drummunity” circle!
“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 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.
"An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new." - New York Times
The MWSF Saturday events provide another opportunity for our community to sing and play music - together!
Chicago native and Singing Festival favorite Mark Dvorak will give his signature Children's Concert at 11 am on Saturday, February 4, 2023 as part of the 19th Annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival.
On Friday night, Jean Chorazyczewski and Lori Fithian will join Singing Festival favorites Mark Dvorak and Joel Mabus for one night of high energy community singing. Lyric booklets provided.
“Damn tall buildings is a damn fine trio, mixing bluegrass, swing, and foot-stomping old-time music you wouldn’t think possible from a band from Brooklyn.” — No Depression
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.
A Celtic Christmas Celebration for all! Bring your voices, as you’ll be invited to sing along!
For 20 years, song leader and banjoist Sally Potter has invited the community to sing holiday songs - together. With help from Connie Gamage on the grand piano, Doug Berch on hammered dulcimer, and spoken word artist Ruelaine Stokes, Potter and guests create a soulful, moving evening full of familiar selections surrounding winter, Solstice, peace, Christmas, and beyond. Lyric sheets provided.
Their infectious stage show and breadth of material pushed Full Cord through to a win of the 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in June and a nomination as the Momentum Band of the year at the upcoming International Bluegrass Music Awards. With two shows never the same, their followers in Michigan and beyond try to catch every show, never knowing what teaser or new song will be in the set list.
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.
'Kitty Donohoe is a true treasure - a rare songwriter with tremendous range, a beautiful voice and an ability to write haunting, melodic and literate songs.' - All Music Guide
“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” It has been too long since Gilbert has given a Fiddle show. We welcome him back!
"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."
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.
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.
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.
Michigan's favorite songbirds Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine, return to the Fiddle for a SATURDAY evening with the organic vocal harmonies and seamlessly interwoven instrumentation that leaves listeners breathless.
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.
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
The Ten Pound Fiddle has just been informed that Susan Werner has Covid-19 and is not able to perform in East Lansing tomorrow evening. So, sadly, the Fiddle concert for tomorrow (Friday, April 8) is cancelled. We wish Susan well and look forward to rescheduling with her for our 2022-23 season.
Advance ticket sales for the Susan Werner concert will be automatically refunded; no action is required on the part of purchasers.
As audiences will testify, Werner’s been knocking it out of the park – or concert hall – all around the U.S. for twenty years. Renowned as a charismatic performer, she’s known above all for challenging herself to conquer new styles, almost like mountaintops, every few years. Every 3-4 seasons, Werner returns to the Fiddle to share where her musical travels have taken her.
A favorite of Ten Pound Fiddle audiences, Sally and Claudia have shared their talent both as solo artists and as a duo. Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find so irresistible, they frequently join right in.
Award-winning songwriter, Crys Matthews teams up with energetic Heather Mae to present a night of rich material, smooth harmonies, a few sing-alongs and a lot of fun.
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.
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!
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.
New Date: Friday, Oct. 21.
New Date: October 14, 2022. “Katie Dahl’s songs aren’t just melodies and words, they’re journeys that are firmly grounded in a sense of place—beautiful, real landscapes that help you feel places that you may have never been before. That’s the very best kind of songwriting. - Dar Williams ‘Kitty is making a name for herself in Irish America and you can see why from the high quality of the work here.‘ Irish Music Magazine.
New Date TBA. “If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” It has been too long since Gilbert has given a Fiddle show. We welcome him back!
The MWSF Saturday events provide another opportunity for our community to sing and play music - together!
On Friday night, singer, song leader and Baltimore native Lea Gilmore will join Singing Festival favorites Mark Dvorak and Joel Mabus for one night of high energy community singing. Lyric booklets provided.
New Date: SATURDAY, May 7 (one show only). Michigan's favorite songbirds Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine, return to the Fiddle for TWO NIGHTS (Thursday & Friday) of the organic vocal harmonies and seamlessly interwoven instrumentation that leaves listeners breathless.
New Date SATURDAY, May 7 (one show only). Michigan's favorite songbirds Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine, return to the Fiddle for TWO NIGHTS (Thursday & Friday) of the organic vocal harmonies and seamlessly interwoven instrumentation that leaves listeners breathless.
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 UNTIL FRIDAY MAY 20, 2022.
