For the third year, Circle Pines Center in Delton will host the unique outdoor music festival that boasts more than 30 local and regional bands performing on two stages. See the full schedule here.
Jamboree Headliners: Rusted Root will play Circle Pines Center’s Buttermilk Jamboree at 9:20 p.m. Saturday.
By Mary Mattingly
LocalSpins.com
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The Buttermilk Jamboree’s third year as a regional festival celebrating the best in everything from folk to country and just about everything in between at Delton’s Circle Pines Center promises to be the strongest yet this weekend, with several new musical attractions and some returning favorites.
With this year’s affair jamboree headlined by national act Rusted Root, perhaps best known for its 1996 hit “Send Me On My Way,” organizers aim to solidify the event’s presence as a must-see music festival in Southwest Michigan.
“In our third year, we are still just out of the gate,” says Rachel Zegerius, program director at Circle Pines Center.
“But we’ve learned a tremendous amount in the first two years, and are excited to implement that knowledge as we move forward with the festival.”
UNIQUE OUTDOOR SETTING, WITH WORKSHOPS, CRAFTS
Circle Pines Center is a 75-year-old organization with a history of supporting activism and social movements. The Jamboree’s unique outdoor setting, with private cabins for rent, campgrounds and a private beach, provides the backdrop for more than 30 workshops taking place over the weekend, with arts and crafts available for kids. See the music schedule below.
Mick Lane
The music festival was started, in part, with help from Mick Lane, a Grand Rapids musician who plays guitar and sings for Irish-American folk outfit, the Conklin Ceili Band.
“I had played festivals featuring traditional music back east that were set in a folksy, rustic setting,” Lane said. “I always wanted to play a festival like that here in Michigan. Then, Wendy Allen [volunteer programmer at community radio’s WYCE-FM] told me about Circle Pines.”
After contacting staff at Circle Pines about his idea for an eclectic, outdoor festival, Lane worked with them to help get it started. Three years later, the Jamboree is still going strong. Lane credits the Circle Pines Center honchos and volunteers for putting in all the hard work to organize the unique weekend festival.
“It’s a great festival,” Lane said. “It’s in a beautiful setting. The people at Circle Pines are friendly folks and the music is diverse and eclectic.”
FESTIVAL’S FIRST-TIME NATIONAL HEADLINER
For the first time, Pittsburgh’s Rusted Root will make its mark at the Jamboree.
“It was time for us to step it up a notch, to help the festival gain recognition,” Zegerius said. “Rusted Root is a quintessentially live band, with a dynamic stage presence.”
Fans at last year’s Buttermilk Jamboree.
The band’s philosophy is also is a perfect match for the mission of Circle Pines Center.
“The band’s frontman, Michael Glabicki, is an activist at heart,” Zegerius said. “[He] includes themes of social justice, peace and environmental stewardship in his lyrics and throughout his work.”
Also in the lineup are local favorites Drew Nelson, The Crane Wives, Delilah DeWylde & the Lost Boys, Ralston Bowles, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Potato Moon, Roosevelt Diggs and Grupo Aye, who are amongst more than 30 Michigan and regional acts playing two stages. This year marks the second year for Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, and they could not be happier to return.
BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
“It was fantastic,” Nicholas Thomasma said of last year’s experience. “For it being the second year, we were shocked at how the grounds were laid out and how nice the festival was.”
Nicholas James & The Bandwagon
Circle Pines has earned a reputation for how well they take treat the musicians who play the Jamboree. “They take great care of the musicians,” Lane said. “When you take care of the musicians, the music is stellar.”
“The hospitality was well-prepared,” Thomasma added. “It’s a great group of people; everyone’s really nice. They make sure everyone has a good time and take care of the artists. They really put in a lot of extra effort.”
For 2013, the Jamboree welcomes several new food vendors, as well as some returning ones.
“The Grassy Grill will be serving up grass-fed burgers to raise money for Michigan Land Air Water Defense,” Zegerius said. “[It is] a local nonprofit working to protect our local groundwater and public lands from the threats of fracking.”
Mostly, the Jamboree is about bringing the community together with messages of kinship, sustainability and friendship that make it a unique experience not captured by other music festivals in the area.
“[My favorite part is] the music, there’s no question about it,” Lane said. “And the good feeling you have when you’re there.”
“The community spirit there is fantastic,” Thomasma added. “It’s not just a festival, it’s a community center.”
Tickets are $75 for a weekend pass ($5 for children), with adult day passes costing $20 Friday and Sunday, and $35 Saturday. For tickets, directions and more information, visit the Jamboree’s website at www.buttermilkjamboree.org.
THE WEEKEND MUSIC SCHEDULE
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
