The unusual Feb. 23 event at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons will feature performances by more than 75 Michigan musicians and singers. The lowdown on the 15th festival at Local Spins.
Corridor Concerts: The Great Indoor Folk Festival returns on Feb. 23. (Photo/Mike Libby)
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Take it from Traverse City singer-songwriter Elizabeth Landry, a veteran musician who’s played the Great Indoor Folk Festival several times over the past 15 years: “It is a really inspiring atmosphere.”
Staged primarily in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons’ Building 50, more than 75 Michigan musicians and singers will fill the hallways and light up the improvised stages inside the historic structure on Feb. 23, with other performances taking place nearby at Left Foot Charley, The Barrel Room, Higher Grounds Coffee and Kirkbride Hall.
“Honestly, I love seeing all of my musician friends and watching them play. Everyone is so amazing and talented,” said Landry, who’ll play the Barrel Room stage at noon that Sunday.
An ‘Inspiring Atmosphere’: Elizabeth Landry returns to the Indoor Folk Festival. (Courtesy Photo)
“I have to say the location itself is unique – the feeling of walking through the old hospital grounds and hearing songs echoing around every corner. … It is a variety show starring our very own local talent and everyone plays on each other’s sets.”
Blues, folk and soul singer-guitarist Nick Veine, of Traverse City, has played the Indoor Folk Festival four times.
“I love the laid-back atmosphere of the festival. It’s so easy to hear seven or eight different artists and sounds just by walking by different parts of the complex,” said Veine, who just released a bluesy new single, “Revelation Blues.”
“I love it when I can gather a crowd around and it makes me feel truly appreciated as an artist. There’s always a great turnout and I love being part of the whole community event.”
Touted as a free, family-friendly event showcasing “live folk and acoustic music” from regional artists, the festival was founded in 2009 by the Northern Michigan Songwriters in the Round group.
The festival – which runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 – boasts a mix of returning regional favorites and emerging artists, from the Jim Crockett Band, Song of the Lakes and New Third Coast to up-and-coming acts such as Ben Traverse, Trillium Groove and Gemini Moon (a spinoff of the band FlyLiteGemini).
Lynn Callihan (Courtesy Photo)
Cadillac musician Lynn Callihan, who’s been performing for more than four decades and just released his eighth studio album, will play the Great Indoor Folk Festival for the first time this year.
Callihan said fans attending his set on the New Folk Stage at noon will experience “25 minutes of ear candy for the soul,” adding that he has hopes of “reaching more folks” with his music during his first-ever folk festival appearance.
For her part, Landry plans to perform some new songs for festival attendees.
“I have a lot of new material and also new things I’m working on,” she said. “You may see a couple of friends accompanying me on my set, including singer-songwriter Sierra Cassidy singing some harmonies on a couple of tunes.”
Get more information and details on the Great Indoor Folk Festival’s Facebook page.
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