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4th Annual Mennofolk-Michiana! Sunday, July 17, 2005
Camp Friedenswald
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Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 1pm 'til sundown
[Cassopolis, MI] - Everyone is invited to the fourth annual Mennofolk-Michiana Festival on Sunday, July 17th, at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Michigan. Twenty performers and bands from throughout the Midwestern US and Canada will once again converge in Southwest Michigan for a full afternoon of music on two stages, making Mennofolk-Michiana the largest regular gathering of Mennonite musicians in the world.
Musicians from across the Midwest and as far away as Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Harrisonburg, Virginia, will gather to perform from 1pm-7pm on two stages at the annual acoustic music celebration Mennofolk-Michiana. The Festival will culminate with a gospel sing until sundown. Each Mennofolk performer comes from a Mennonite background or claims the Mennonite church by faith, and the songs they write and perform are a reflection of their culture and beliefs. This year's performers encompass a wide variety of musical genres and professional backgrounds. Some are highly-regarded career songwriters and performers, others are teachers and visual artists, and many are involved in social justice programs for which the Mennonite faith is often known. These myriad influences and experiences couple with a strong tradition of rich harmonies and vocals to create a body of original music with a distinctly Mennonite flavor. Featured acts include Pittsburgh's frequent "Best Acoustic Artist" and "Best Solo Performer" (Brad Yoder); the 1989 National and 2001 International Autoharp Champion from Goshen, Indiana (Les Gustafson-Zook); the South Haven, Michigan, native who revived and repopularized the cross-strung folk harp after 100 years of obscurity (Ben Brown); and the newest addition to Chicago's prestigious acoustic music label Waterbug Records (Rachel Ries). Also featured are: Tim Lowly (folk rock), andi and i (funked-up folk), and Seventy Two Others (alternative country) from Chicago; Boca Chica (neo-traditional folk & bluegrass), Mark Williams (acoustic folk-rock), and Heather Kropf (piano folk-pop) from Pittsburgh; Kentucky T Dutchersmith & the Rubber Band (for kids of all ages), and the Silver Tones (traditional fun) from Goshen, Indiana; Andru Bemis (old-folk & railroads), Drop the Dawg (gospel blues), and Rick Meisteheim (political folk) from Michigan; Old Seed (grit folk), and Mike Petkau (electric folk) from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Benjamin Ezra Deckard (indie-folk) from West Lafayette, Indiana; and Wendy Chappell-Dick & Phil Easley (traditional hymns and singing telegrams) from Harrisonburg, Virginia. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and dinner. Local farmers will sell fresh produce, baked goods and light fare. A suggested donation of $10-$25 per adult for admission covers expenses for the musicians and use of the Camp. Camp Friedenswald is located on 300 acres on Shavehead Lake for recreation, a Beech/Maple Climax Forest, 150 year-old Oak/Hickory Preserve and Tamarack Fen with an extensive trail system and 120 acre primitive camping area. The Friedenswald beach will be available for swimming, and the Nature Center and hiking trails provide attractions for all ages. Sunday's Mennofolk-Michiana Festival will be followed by a week-long Mennofolk Family Camp with a focus on making music, worship and fun. For directions to the Camp, for Family Camp information, or to reserve camping sites for Saturday or Sunday evenings, visit www.Friedenswald.org or call #269.476.9744. Mennofolk-Michiana is supported by the Central District Conference of the Mennonite Church USA, Camp Friedenswald, and a number of individual and private donors and organizations. |
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