The Ninth Annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, presented by the Friends of the Porkies, will take place Aug. 23-25 at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Winter Recreation Area (Ski Hill/Chalet) in scenic Ontonagon County. This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
An ambitious undertaking by the volunteer staff, the festival features 41 separate international, national, regional and local acts performing on its three stages: the Peace Hill Stage, the Singing Hills Stage and the acoustic Busking Barn. As organizers place the focus on music rather than one dominating style, a wide variety of sounds is presented throughout the three-day event.
“We are unique. We have a little something for everyone: bluegrass, folk, country, blues, rock, world music and more” said Festival Director Linda Kermeen. “We mix it up good!”
Shemekia Copeland is a force to be reckoned with in the blues genre, and she is the festival’s Saturday-night headlining act. Copeland has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival, scored critic’s choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London), shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, and performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Heir to the rich tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James and Koko Taylor, the singer was presented with Taylor’s crown by her daughter, Cookie, on June 12, 2011 at the Chicago Blues Festival, and given the honor of the new “Queen of the Blues.” This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and General Mills Foundation.
Another headlining act is Audie Blaylock and Redline. Carl Jackson writes “…Audie Blaylock and Redline is not only bluegrass… it’s GREAT bluegrass. No argument, end of discussion!” Accomplishments include: 2011 IBMA-nominated Album of the Year; Grammy Award nominee, and the Instrumental Group of the Year Award at the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards.
The Grand Slambovians aka Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams have been called the “Hillbilly Pink Floyd” with elements of Incredible Strong Band, Neil Young, the Band, Bob Dylan and even Frank Zappa. This band from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., is known for its electrical live performances. “The entire root system of rock family trees is embedded in (lead singer) Longo’s voice” –The Big Issue, Scotland, UK.
New this year is the Boe Harbison Tribute Jam, which will kick off each day of music in the Busking Barn. Harbison, a local songwriter, musician and inspiration to many, passed away in 2004, one year before the start of the festival.
The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival also features performer workshops and the always-popular children’s tent area, designed to entertain young festival-goers with fun activities and crafts, and to prepare them for an onstage performance on closing day.
The festival made state history in 2005 by becoming the first music festival to be held in a state park. The festival is presented by the Friends of the Porkies, a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of all users of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The park is a popular tourist attraction with a breathtaking 60,000 acres of natural beauty located in Ontonagon County. Ontonagon is largest (by acreage) county, and one of the least densely populated counties, in Michigan — laid-back and picturesque, with wondrous natural surroundings. The park encompasses more than 40 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, named one of the cleanest beaches in America. The thousands of acres of state and federal land, a community lighthouse, and an area rich in mining history and Native American history are all a part of the legacy of the area. Ontonagon County also boasts Michigan’s, and the Midwest’s, largest span of virgin hardwood maple/hemlock forest located within the boundaries of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Festival tickets are $90 for a three-day pass, $35 for a one-day pass, and there is a 20-percent discount available to seniors age 60 and over and teens ages 13-17. Tickets for children ages 7-12 are $10 for either a three-day pass or a one-day pass, and children 6 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For more information rabout the Ninth Annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, visit www.porkiesfestival.org or call 1‑906-884-7663.
Click To Submit Press Releases, News, Calendar Items, and Community Events to mediaBrew radio stations WFXD, WKQS, WRUP, GTO, Fox Sport Marquette, and 106.1 The Sound
Marquette, Michigan Calendar; Ishpeming Calendar; Negaunee Calendar; Gwinn Calendar; Negaunee Calendar and Events; Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events; Escanaba Events and Calendar