The seventh annual fest to “beat the doldrums” of winter with sets on seven stages by New Third Coast, Drive South, Ralston Bowles, Olivia Mainville, Missy Zenker, Miriam Pico, Sour Mash and more.
This weekend’s Great Indoor Folk Festival in Traverse City’s Village at Grand Traverse Commons boasts a “laid-back” communal vibe that celebrates the music of more than 100 of the region’s most beloved musicians.
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“It always draws huge crowds, which of course, is good for the musicians who can expand their fan base. And it’s always fun to do a gig where your buddies are also playing,” said Mary Sue Wilkinson of Traverse City’s Drive South duo which will perform during Sunday’s free event with Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles.
“This festival started as a way for local musicians to give back to the community that supports them all year. And it’s also a great way to beat the doldrums of February,”
It’s also indoors – a warm and toasty escape from February’s frigid temperatures.
The seventh annual Great Indoor Folk Festival, which runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Building 50 in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (plus the Left Foot Charley winery), is sponsored by the Northern Michigan Songwriters in the Round.
Performers include veteran returning acts such as New Third Coast, Song of the Lakes, Wild Sullys, Jim Crockett & Friends and Sour Mash and emerging artists Missy Zenker, Miriam Pico, Olivia Mainville, Abby Stauffer and more.
BIG CROWDS AND A ‘FUN VIBE’
Adair Correl, administrator for the songwriters’ group and one of the festival performers, said the event usually packs the venue with about 1,500 people. About 65 writers are involved with the group, which is in its 18th year.
“Because it’s free, it’s got a very laid-back and fun vibe to it,” said Wilkinson, of Traverse City, who performs in Drive South with Holland-area guitarist Roger Brown. “People come and go and can wander through the interesting shops in the Mercato and find great places to eat and drink as well.”
Bowles said he’s playing the event for the first time. The Accidentals’ manager Amber Buist suggested the collaboration with Drive South, which will perform with Bowles at 1:05 p.m. on the New Folk Stage. “Neither Roger nor I have ever done a show with him. Amber saw the fit of Ralston’s songwriting with Roger’s and we’re excited to work with him,” Wilkinson said.
She called the Great Indoor Folk Festival “a different animal” because it’s organized by the musicians themselves. “It has developed a great reputation and you actually have to speak up right away if you want to do it,” she said. “They have more musicians who want to play than they have spots for. We always look forward to it.”
The event features seven stages, with the folk, bluegrass and acoustic performers offering their CDs for sale.
Mainville, a young Holland singer-songwriter who’s also part of Grand Rapids’ Watching for Foxes folk-rock band, will perform at Sunday’s event with Stauffer despite being injured in a car crash near Petoskey last month. Mainville suffered four fractures to her pelvis and a slight concussion in the accident, but said her recovery is “going great.”
She’s excited to play the festival for the first time; she attended it last year to watch her friends perform.
“It’s a great and fun event, and I heard a lot of people who are really in touch with the music scene and festivals go there,” she said. “I know that a ton of people who live in cities farther from Traverse City attend.”
For more information and a full schedule of performers, visit the event’s Facebook page. Get directions and a map to The Village at Grand Traverse Commons here.
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC