Just in case you are going to North America

FOLK FESTIVALS What better way to spend a summer weekend than by attending a folk festival -- where you can hear your favorite musicians and discover new ones, explore new traditions, learn new musical and dance skills, and share the experience with others who also love this music ... all while enjoying the great outdoors! Here is a listing of some of the most popular festivals that are attended by Michigan folks, but this is just the beginning. There are hundreds of festivals occurring throughout the country -- why not plan to attend one as part of your vacation? The most comprehensive listing may be found in the spring and summer issues of Sing Out Magazine. If you are Canada-bound, visit Northern Journey Online's Canadian Folk Festival Websites. Nor-East'r Music & Arts Festival June 9-11, 2006 Oscoda County Fairgrounds Mio, MI 800-800-6133 http://www.noreastr.net Performers include Steppin' in It, Jive at Five, Seth & Daisy May, Mustard's Retreat, Annie and Rod Capps, Wanderin' Wheel, Jan Krist, Dan Hazlett, Jo Serrapere and The Willy Dunns, and many more. Many styles of music, great art exhibits, camping, kids activities, workshops, and many great jam sessions throughout the grounds. Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival Saturday, June 17, 2006 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. In the park at Brethren, MI 231-723-2230 or 231-889-3667 http://www.spiritofthewoods.org Featuring Same Ol' Two Step with Li'l Guyland, Harvey Reid, Steppin' In It, Robin Lee Berry, Two Hearted String Band, and Peacemeal (Maureen and Dale Scott). Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance June 23-25, 2006 Altamont Fairgrounds Altamont, NY 518-765-2815 http://www.oldsongs.org Performers include Cris Williamson, Peggy Seeger, Teada, Beppe Gambetta, William Jackson and Grainne Hambly, Finest Kind, Paul Geremia, Michael Cooney, Kim and Reggie Harris, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, The Raisin Pickers, Enoch Kent, Matapat, Jeff Warner, Joe Hickerson, Jane Voss and Hoyle Osborne, John Roberts, Bill Spence, and many more. Concerts, workshops, participatory dancing, storytelling, crafts, and family activities. The Winnipeg Folk Festival July 6-9, 2006 Birds Hill Park Winnipeg, Manitoba 204-231-0096 http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca This year's performers include Bruce Cockburn, Fred Eaglesmith, Steve Earle, Ferron, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Ruthie Foster, The Holmes Brothers, James Keelaghan, Mike Seeger, Richard Thompson, The Wailin' Jennys, Jesse Winchester, and many more. Blissfest Traditional Music Festival July 7-9, 2006 Festival Farm Cross Village, MI 231-348-2815 http://www.blissfest.org This year's performers include Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem, Harry Manx, Eliza Gilkyson, Potato Moon, Mustard's Retreat, Seth & Daisy May, Steppin' In It, John D. Lamb, Jill Jack and Billy Brandt, and more. Non-Electrical Musical Funfest July 13-16, 2006 Osceola County Fairgrounds Evart, MI 231-734-6119 http://www.dulcimers.com/evartpage.html Sponsored by the Original Dulcimer Players Club, Inc. Workshops, stage shows, and lots of great jamming! Saline Celtic Festival Saturday, July 15, 2006 Mill Pond Park Saline, MI 734-944-2810 http://www.salineceltic.org Music, dance, workshops, Highland athletics, children's activities, living history enactments, Celtic and American cuisine. Performers include Fiddlers ReStrung, Matt & Shannon Heaton with Laura Cortese, Beth Patterson, Faileas, Grey Larsen and Cindy Kallet, Liz Carroll and John Doyle, Donnybrook, and more. Home County Folk Festival July 21-23, 2006 Victoria Park London, Ontario 519-432-6299 http://www.homecounty.ca This year's performers include Jackie Washington, Harry Manx, David Francey, Ken Whitely, Chris Whitely, Marc Jordan, Joel Kroeker, Great Uncles of the Revolution, Joel Fafard, Tom Doughty, Swamperella, The Marigolds, Lori Cullen, Loretto Reid and Brian Tahenny, Marianne Girard, The Polyjesters, Roxanne Potvin, Kristen Sweetland, The Rizdales, Shane Cook, Tranby Croft, Foxtail, Brian Blain, Jon Brooks, Rob Lamothe, Bernie Gilmore and Mary Ashton, Joint Effort, and more. Evening concerts, afternoon music and dance workshops and demonstrations, and 150 craft artists.  Free admission! Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival July 21-23, 2006 Tourist Park Marquette, MI 906-226-8575 http://www.hiawathamusic.org/~hiawatha Performers include Garnet Rogers, Cephas and Wiggins, The Mammals, Dale Ann Bradley, Mady Kouyate, Royal Garden Trio, Wild Goosechase Cloggers, Solazo, and Pat Madden & Sally Potter. Flint Folk Music Festival Saturday, July 29, 2006 1:00-9:00 p.m. Kearsley Park Flint, MI 810-235-1442 http://www.flintfolkmusic.org Performers include James Keelaghan, Susan Werner, Carrie Newcomer, Robert Jones, Finvarra's Wren, The Hey J's, Bob Miller, Dennis Allen, and Johnnie Jones. Downtown Evart Folk Festival Saturday, July 29, 2006 Evart, MI 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m. 231-734-6119 http://www.evart.org/music/free-music.html Performers include Matt Watroba, John McCutcheon, Anne Hills, Claudia Schmidt, Kitty Donohoe, Jan Krist, Mustard's Retreat, and David Mosher. Free. Champlain Valley Folk Festival August 4-6, 2006 Kingsland Bay State Park Ferrisburgh, VT 800-769-9176 http://www.cvfest.org Performers include Mike Agranoff, Atlantic Crossing, Chanterelle, Guy Davis, Cindy Kallet, Geoff Kaufman, Grey Larsen, The Mammals, Andre Marchand, The Paton Family, Peter & Karen Sutherland, Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman, Tom MacKenzie and many more. Bluegrass in the Park Festival August 4-6, 2006 Briley Township Park Downtown Atlanta, MI 989-785-3521 http://www.atlantami.com/blue/bluegrass.htm No spectator admission charges -- just bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Individual competitions in guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin; band competition and band scramble with jammin' all weekend. Riverfolk Music & Arts Festival Saturday, August 5, 2006 Noon - midnight Carr Park Manchester, MI 734-323-1761 http://www.riverfolkfestival.org Performers include Bill Kirchen, Steppin' In It, Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, Dick Siegel, Seth Bernard & Daisy May, Rachael Davis, Whit Hill & The Postcards, The Hummingbirds, Annie & Rod Capps, Jo Serrapere & The Willie Dunns, The Raisin Pickers, Sunkwa, Jeremy Kittel, Commonwealth Dance Collective, and more; Matt Watroba as emcee. Includes stage performances, music and dance workshops, a kids' area, and a juried art show. Farmfest August 10-13, 2006 Johannesburg, MI http://www.farmhousemusic.org Performers include Mustard's Retreat, Peter Madcat Ruth, Blue Water Ramblers, Seth Bernard & Company, Rachell Davis, Steppin' in It, Freshwater, Whit Hill and the Postcards, and more. Great Lakes Folk Festival August 11-13, 2006 Downtown East Lansing East Lansing, MI 517-432-4533 http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net Showcases our country's rich cultural heritage through music, dance, crafts, storytelling, games and food. Performers to be announced. Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival August 18-20, 2006 Kelso Beach Park Owen Sound, Ontario 519-371-2995 http://www.summerfolk.org Performers include Ruthie Foster, Bill Bourne, Prairie Oyster, Lynn Miles, Richard Knechtel, Wyrd Sisters, Anne Lindsay, Bob Dixon, David Carr, David Newland, Hart Rouge, Tom Leighton, and many more. Displays, sales, and demonstrations by professional craft artists. Philadelphia Folk Festival August 18-20, 2006 Old Pool Farm Near Schwenksville, PA 215-242-0150 http://www.folkfest.org Performers include Arrogant Worms, Saul Broudy, The Duhks, Groovemama, Horse Flies, Huun Huur Tu, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Raul Malo, The Roches, Joel Rafael, Rodney Crowell, Jimmy Lafave, and many many more. Connections Festival 2006 August 25-27, 2006 Riverside Park Ann Arbor, MI 734-327-0019 http://www.connectionsfestival.org The festival features theme days with Folk, Blues/Jazz, Americana, and World Music. Performers to be announced. Cooper's Glen Festival [August 27-28, 2005] Kalamazoo, MI http://www.greatlakesacoustic.org 2006 festival information to be announced soon. Thumbfest Saturday, September 2, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Camp Ozanam Lexington, MI 586-727-5197 http://www.bluewaterfolk.org Sponsored by the Bluewater Folk Society. Main stage, workshop hall, dance hall, front porch jamming, kid's activities area, and crafts. Performers include Annie and Rod Capps, Black River Bluegrass Boys, Floyd King and the Bushwackers, Maggie's Farm, Mustard's Retreat, The Salt Miners, Banjoey, Jim Bizer, Faileas, Foxfire, Glen Morningstar, Wanderin' Wheel, Brian Wood & the Troubadads, and more. Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival September 3-4, 2006 Island Park Geneva, IL 630-897-3655 http://members.aol.com/fvfolk Performers include John Roberts & Tony Barrand, Bryan Bowers, Mark Dvorak, Cooper Nelson & Early, Bob Franke, Ellie & Leela Grace, Sara Grey, David Massengill, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, Beth Horner, LaRon Williams, and many more. Wheatland Music Festival September 8-10, 2006 Remus, MI 989-967-8879 http://www.wheatlandmusic.org Main stage performers include Tim O'Brien, The Duhks, Mamadou Diabate Ensemble, The Foghorn Stringband, Ira Bernstein & Riley Baugus, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band, The Biddies, Whit Hill and the Postcards, Freshwater, Seth Bernard and Daisy May, Sally Potter, Pat Madden, Jive At Five, Los Bandits, Grada, and many more.