Set in an out-of-the-way camp between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, the three-day fest boasts sets by Billy Strings & Don Julin, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals, Alexis, Maraj and more. See the full schedule.
Jamboree Jam: Traverse City’s Billy Strings & Don Julin will churn out dazzling bluegrass on Sunday at the Buttermilk Jamboree. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Since 2011, the Buttermilk Jamboree has unfolded in an out-of-the-way meadow and orchard – nestled between the Barry County hamlets of Orangeville, Cloverdale and the Yankee Springs Recreation Area – with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe and a mission to cultivate cooperation, sustainability, music and art.
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Family Vibe: Buttermilk Jamboree embraces that. (Photo/Local Spins)
But make no mistake: This quaint music festival hosted by Circle Pines Center is also serious about its annual lineup, delivering impeccable regional bands covering an impressive range of genres.
With 50 performances on four stages over three days, this year’s Buttermilk Jamboree showcases not only some of Michigan’s most-respected roots, soul, jazz and pop artists, but a few national touring acts as well: Brooklyn world roots ensemble Brown Rice Family (9 p.m. Saturday), Las Vegas’ one-man band That 1 Guy (11:30 p.m. Friday) and Tennessee folk duo Sparky and Rhonda Rucker (5 p.m. Saturday).
Tom VanHammen, center director, said organizers estimate the jamboree will draw 1,500 to 2,000 people this year.
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“We are expecting that we might reach capacity (2,000) this year,” said VanHammen, citing the “family-friendly atmosphere, eclectic music, workshops and a peaceful vibe” as the event’s distinctive drawing card.
Kicking off at 4 p.m. Friday and running through early Sunday evening, the jamboree stages a bevy of workshops (music, dance, environment, social justice, yoga), children’s activities, local beer and wine, arts and crafts. There’s also a noon Saturday tribute to iconic American blues artist Big Bill Broonzy (who worked and played at Circle Pines Center in the 1950s) and a weekend-ending commemorative performance in honor of Pete Seeger.
Clearly, the focus is on the music, most of it keeping with the “local” theme. And Local Spins has featured more than a dozen of this weekend’s performers as part of its Local Spins Artists Spotlights and other stories the past two years, so get a sneak preview of their Buttermilk sets by clicking on the links to these stories, videos and podcasts:
The Muteflutes (5 p.m. Friday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/muteflutes-cool-creative-journey-grand-rapids-folk-rockers-prepare-unleash-american-dream/
Fauxgrass (7 p.m. Friday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/fauxgrass-move-touring-work-new-album-year-bassists-devastating-hand-injury/
The Crane Wives (9 p.m. Friday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/double-the-music-double-the-fun-the-crane-wives-set-to-release-two-studio-albums-in-coming-months/
Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish (6 p.m. Friday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/jesse-ray-carolina-catfish-crazy-aggressive-two-man-rock-local-spins-artist-spotlight/
Alexis (1 a.m. Friday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/alexis-kiss-tell-local-spins-exclusive-video-premiere/
Moxieville (8 p.m. Friday, Front Porch; 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Beer Tent) – https://localspins.com/kalamazoos-moxieville-recalls-bygone-era-with-torch-songs-swing-tunes-local-spins-artist-spotlight-story-video/
Hannah Rose Graves (10 p.m. Friday, Beer Tent) – https://localspins.com/hannah-rose-graves-intensity-passion-showcased-debut-album-guitarist-justin-wierenga/
Tony LaJoye (1 p.m. Saturday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/grand-rapids-band-of-the-week-the-tony-lajoye-trio-podcast-video/
Robin Connell (3 p.m. Saturday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/jazz-singer-libby-york-the-local-spins-live-artist-spotlight-podcast/ (Part of a Local Spins Artist Spotlight on singer Libby York)
Conklin Ceili Band (2 p.m. Saturday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/the-conklin-ceili-band-local-spins-live-artist-of-the-week/
Red Tail Ring (4 p.m. Saturday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/red-tail-rings-old-time-folk-revival-gorgeous-spin-local-spins-artist-spotlight/
Rick Chyme (5 p.m. Saturday, Spoken Word Set in Drum Circle Area) – https://localspins.com/rick-chyme-grand-rapids-hip-hops-poet-storyteller-master-collaborator/
Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys (10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/local-spins-live-at-st-cecilia-delilah-dewylde-the-crane-wives-like-youve-never-seen-them-before/
Serita Crowley (8 p.m. Saturday, Beer Tent) – https://localspins.com/seritas-black-rose-local-spins-live-band-of-the-week/
Ralston Bowles (11 a.m. Sunday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/west-michigan-artist-of-the-week-singer-songwriter-ralston-bowles/
The Accidentals (1 p.m. Sunday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/the-accidentals-magical-always-evolving-and-poised-for-musical-prosperity-local-spins-live-at-river-city-studios-video-podcast/
Billy Strings & Don Julin (3:15 p.m. Sunday, Orchard Stage) – https://localspins.com/billy-strings-don-julin-local-spins-live-river-city-studios-video-podcast-photos/
Max Lockwood (performing with Michigan Basement, noon Sunday, Sugar Stage) – https://localspins.com/max-lockwood-taps-musical-heroes-solo-project-really-beautiful-things-came/
Seth Bernard & May Erlewine (2 p.m. Sunday, Sugar Stage) –
Bernard: https://localspins.com/singer-songwriter-seth-bernard-the-spins-on-music-artist-spotlight/
Erlewine: https://localspins.com/may-erlewine-where-we-are-loss-new-life-and-connecting-on-a-heart-level/
Get tickets, details and directions online at buttermilkjamboree.org.
VIDEO: THE ACCIDENTALS AT RIVER CITY STUDIOS
VIDEO: BILLY STRINGS & DON JULIN AT RIVER CITY STUDIOS
Round-up with video from Buttermilk Jamboree 2015: https://localspins.com/buttermilk-jamboree-2014-launches-cool-weather-hot-bands-enthused-crowds/
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
