Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Gladstone starts festival season


Minnesota-based blues artist Paul Mayasich
will perform at the Rockin' The Bay Music Festival
in Gladstone on Friday, June 18.


By STEVE SEYMOUR

A dozen music festivals will take place around the Upper Peninsula this summer, with Gladstone's Rockin' The Bay launching the season.

Now in its third year, Rockin' The Bay Music Festival is scheduled for June 17 & 18 at the Gladstone Yacht Club.

Friday's entertainment includes Red, White & Blues, a blues band from Amasa; Gladstone rockers Uncle Ugly; and Paul Mayasich, a blues act from Minneapolis. Saturday's line-up includes classic Gladstone rock band Feedback; Suns of Memphis, a rockabilly and country band from Menominee; Nate Miller & Unstoppable Company, a blues and rock outfit from Minneapolis; and Greg Waters & the Broad Street Boogie, an Appleton rock band.

Tickets are $15 in advance for both days or $10 per day at the gate. The yacht club sponsors the event as a benefit for the Gladstone Youth Wrestling Club.

Other regional festivals you may want to attend:

Jam Dam Jamboree, Wilson, June 24-26

Returning to this year's event are favorites Monte Lee DeGrave and Grassfire. Further details have not been released.

U. P. Hog Wild BBQ & Music Festival, Kingsford, July 15-16

Two tribute bands will be featured at the 7th annual event, staged at Lodal Park in Kingsford. Bad Animals pays tribute to the rock band Heart, while Cavern Beat owes its inspiration to the Beatles. Those bands and Lock-n-load will play Friday. Performing Saturday will be Oil Can Harry, the top cover band in Wisconsin for 2010; Next Myle; and Feed. Advance two-day tickets are $10, or $15, day of event.

Aura Jamboree & Old-Time Dance, Aura, July 15-16

Marking its 35th anniversary this year, Aura is the longest running music festival in the U. P. Held at the Community Hall and surrounding area, the event features Finnish, country, bluegrass and various types of folk music. A rural Finnish farming community, Aura is located 12 miles northeast of L'Anse. For more information, go to: aurajamboree.com

Copper Peak Christian Music Festival, Ironwood, July 22-23

Grammy-winning Christian music star Ashley Clevelend will be featured at the Copper Peak event. Other acts set to perform include Big D & the Good News Blues, Yooper Men, Power 3:10, CityPrayz, Farsighted and the Sisters. Tickets are $3 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. For more information go to: copperpeakmusicfestival.com

Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival, Marquette, July 22-24

Featuring traditional music styles such as bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk, the 33rd annual Hiawatha Festival will be held at Tourist Park in Marquette. The line-up includes Le Vent de Nord, John McCutcheon, Beachley & Scott Band, Cane Creek Cloggers, Ebony Hillbillies, Harmonious Wall, Big Ron Hunter & Ironing Board Sam, Top Drawer with Joel Mabus, Jerry Mills and Tree featuring Lindsay Tomasic and Jesse Fitzpatrick. For more information, to go: hiawathamusic.org

Woodtick Music Festival, Hermansville, Aug. 4-7

The 18th annual Woodtick Music Festival presents acts on two stages. Billy Shears, known for their version of "Eleanor Rigby," tops this year's schedule. Also signed to play are Feed, Stella, Bad Axe Rodeo, Neon Detour, Crossroads, Big Dudee Roo, Runaway Train, Bordertown, Midnight Highway, Total Khaos, Norton & Chartier, Acoustic Khaos, Sawdust Symphony, Grassfire, Willow Ridge and Gary Elson. Described by Brian Whitens as a "homegrown Upper Peninsula-style shindig," Woodtick takes place on grounds located on County Road 388 between Hermansville and Powers. A four-day pass is $45. Tickets are available at the Wildwood Truck Stop in Hermansville, LaBelle's and Sidetrack in Powers, Music Tree in Iron Mountain and Record Rack in Escanaba.

Bayside Music Festival, St. Ignace, Aug. 6

The Bayside Music Festival will be held at the Public Marina in downtown St. Ignace from 4 to 10 p. m. The event includes "great music, food and fun," according to organizers, and ends with fireworks at dusk. Admission for adults is $2.

Grand Marais Music & Arts Festival, Grand Marais, Aug. 12-14

The 31st annual event has been scheduled but the line-up has not yet been announced. Music genres should include bluegrass, blues, classic rock, Americana, rockabilly jazz/rock, acoustic and more. For more information, go to: grandmaraismichigan.com

Mackinac Island Music Festival, Mackinac Island, Aug. 16-18

According to Mackinac Island musician and festival director Mary McGuire, the 7th annual event will feature music from Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" album. Staged at Mission Point Theatre, an ensemble of musicians will present "Delta Lady," "The Letter," "Cry Me A River," "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" and other songs from Cocker's classic 1970 LP. For additional information, go to: mackinacislandmusicfestival.org

Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, Ontonagon, Aug. 26-28

Marking its 7th anniversary, this event takes place at the Ski Hill and Chalet area in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Ontonagon. Signed to perform this year are Guy Mendilow Band, Grasstowne, Rita Hosking & Cousin Jack, Hoots & Hellmouth, the Red Sea Pedestrians, Ray Bonneville, the Pines, Sista Otis, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Charlie Parr, Bathtub Mothers, D. B. Rielly, Roma di Luna, Alison Scott, Kaivama, Conga Se Menne, the Back Room Boys, Black River John, Rory Miller & Dale C. Miller, Doris & the Day Dreams and Yvonne Blake. Tickets are $90 for the weekend or $35 each day. For additional information, go to: festival@porkiesfestival.org

Marquette Area Blues Fest, Marquette, Sept. 3-4

The 8th annual Marquette Area Blues Fest will showcase ten blues acts at Mattson Lower Harbor Park on the weekend before Labor Day. Performing Saturday will be Red, White & Blues; Madcat & Kane; Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Mac Arnold & Plate O' Blues; and headliner Joanne Shaw Taylor. Sunday's line-up consists of Mike Letts & the Marquettes; Gas House Gorillas; the Rusty Wright Band; and headliner Shemekia Copeland. A seven-time Blues Music Award winner, Copeland is the daughter of blues icon Johnny Copeland and records on the Telarc label. Recording for the European Tuf label, Taylor is British guitar master who now lives in Detroit. Adult weekend passes are $40 each, while daily passes are $25 at the gate. For more information visit the Marquette Area Blues Society website.
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