Dear Farmfest community and past, present and future:
Farmfest 08 is changing. The lease with FMO and Stacy Jo was officially broken on April 16th. FMO is taking time to plan and restructure. Farmfest 08 is still on, however. I (Stacy Jo) will be your hostess...and I invite you all for the musical magical event it always has and always will be. FMO needs board members...please contact Claude Conn if you are interested.
In the meantime here's the way things are shaping up so far:
You will LOVE the musical vibe this year. There are no repeat performances on Main Stage. Artists are asked to play one set on main stage and another one anywhere, anytime they choose throughout the weekend...(create your own festival.) Check the white board or listen for stage announcements.
There will be no tickets. Farmfest 08 will be by suggested donation. It will be up to us to create the future of Farmfest...donations of time, food, talent and mooooola are very important to make this work. I have total faith in you loyal Farmfesters!
The Feedbag Cafe' will be open to the community. Bring extra food...I expect some great pot lucks! Please talk to Feedbag hostess, Carol when you arrive. Friday night pot luck for the 41 folks from France is pretty special. This will be their last night in the States before going back to France, so lets show them a real good time and a Farmfest welcome they will never forget.
Vendors are welcome. You can vend anywhere you wish. (in the Pines, at your camp, in the woods, down by the music, walking around, etc.) Early arrivals will get the best spots so come early. Suggested donation of $65 for Artists and 10% for Food vendors. There are five food vendor spots available.
Volunteers are needed. Arrive and get involved. You will find a place that needs you...ask around. Go to the pig pen, check in and plug in.
Come early...Stay late. That has always been my motto. The porta potties will arrive on Thursday, and there is always one on site all summer.
I am embracing this with an open heart and deep faith in the Farmfest community (past, present and future). My intention is to honor my promise to so many of you last year that Farmfest would continue.
I want to thank all the amazing folks stepping forward to play for free and volunteer time and money to make Farmfest a VERY special event this year. Friday night will be to die for...don't miss it.
Farmfest 08 - A Farmhand Family Reunion.
See you there. Bring friends.
Hugs to all
Stacy Jo
(As Farmfest 2008 artists are selected, they will be listed here along with links to their websites.)
It is our belief at Farmfest that "community", our connection with the land, and the music makers are the elements that make the Farmfest magic.
We are SO very proud to present the Music Makers for Farmfest 08!
Seth and Daisy May & friends, The sweethearts of folk! Farmfest simply isn't Farmfest without Seth and Daisy May. Period!
Kirby, From Harbor Spring, Kirby has been with Farmfest since it's beginning. He hosts our open mic segment on Saturday and jams out at the Fire circle on Saturday night. Big fun.
Ron Fowler, Also a Farmfest Tradition, our story teller extrodinare spooks us and our children at the Ghost story time on Saturday night.
The Blue Water Ramblers, Farmfest opening act each year are our beloved Blue Water Ramblers. You'll hear them in the campground till wee hours too. Welcome back BWR!
Airborne or Aquatic...Back by popular demand as they say...Acoustic creations is how I describe this sound. Seth and all the talented young folks that make up this band are truly amazing Farmfest familiy members.
The Ragbirds...they played Farmfest for the first time in 07 and are back by demand! We are thrilled you loved them as much as we did.
Orpheum Bell...From Lansing and new to the Farmfest stage. Orpheum Bell will mezmorize you with their unique sound and will get you on your feet dancin`! Accordion, banjo, guitar, fiddle, clarinet saw, autoharp and double bass. Friday night is going to be VERY special this year.
Well Fed Kids...Mud Bugs meets Green Sky....Yep, a new sound from GREAT talented high energy guys! You are going to want to get your chairs to the stage early to check them out...FOR SURE!
Winter Sessions...New to Farmfest this year. Great spirited folks with a great spirited talent!
Medicine Crow..Now here's a guy who is no stranger to Michigan Folk festivals. His down home style and insightful lyrics will warm your soul and give you strength to walk your talk!
The Sass AND February Sky...will be performing for the first time. Spunky and full of traditional folk styles. You will love the candid lyrics, vocal harmonies and fresh air feeling.
Blue Lakes Fine Arts ...International Foreign Exchange Program and The City of Gaylord brings us a 41 piece BIG BAND from France this year! 41 PIECES Folks! Horns, Sax, drums, vocals, flute, clarinet, guitar, trombone....Whew! The sound crew can take a break and enjoy the show this set! Please welcome them at the community Pot Luck on Friday night at the Feedbag Cafe`.
Big Daddy Fox...Big Daddy won our Blues Challenge this year and represented us at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this year. Hot guitar and drivin` blues is Big Daddy's claim to fame.
If you like electric blues...you'll love Big Daddy!
Judy Insley...We first saw Judy at the NorEaster Festival last year. She is not only a great folk singer she is a sweet spirited woman with lots of amazing energy and insight. Be sure to welcome her with open arms to the Farmfest stage this year.
Annie & Rod Capps...'Folk Therapy" is the byline this amazing duo claims, which is exactly what we receive when they play. We are very excited to welcome to them to the Farmfest stage this year! Ya Hoo
Motor City Side Strokers...No stranger to the Farmfest stage, the Motor City Side Strokers will have us dancing and pickin and playin all night folks!
Glean Infusion...A new sound from some seasoned musicians. Good hearts, good sounds, great people! We are honored. Get your chairs and your coolers set up and be ready for a great time.
Scratch & Sniff... Spunky smart and sassy. Pull up a chair and get ready to be entertained!
Pinky Lee...A super young duo from Petoskey. You may have heard them on Prairie Home Companion during the best artists in their 20's contest this year. They made us Northern Michigan folk very proud!
Mutual Kumquat...Now that's a name for ya! You will love the energy from these young talented musicians who keep that ole acoustic music alive blending an earthy activist message. You'll love em!
Bob Marshall...Watch for Bob. He'll be everywhere slinging his guitar and singing his stories.
Acoust` Akimbo...Get ready for the heart beat from the earth! This is where drum kiva meets fire circle jam. Sweet!
Richard "Dogman" Peterson & the Alconites - Raspy drivin guitar slingin deep thinkin dude. The Alconites rock.
Farmhouse Music Organization, a non profit corporation, was formed for the purpose of promoting the performing arts while blending nature and music.
Farmhouse Music Organization's biggest event of the season is Farmfest.
Starting Thursday, and ending Sunday, Farmfest is a four day family focused folk and traditional world music festival.
Volunteers are welcome to set up camp on Wednesday. In fact we encourage all volunteers to come in on Wednesday if you can. Get the best camp sites and check in with your coordinator. Bring a dish to pass for the evening meal.
Thursday's events are free. This is a great day to get your camp site and settle in. Fire circle jam sessions, campground pickin parities and drumming at the kiva are popular activities on Thursday night. There will be a polka party at the dance pavilion on Thursday night....and the fun begins.
Farmfest in known for it's support of Michigan artists. Occasionally we book a specialty from out of state or from abroad, but mostly we concentrate on the amazing Michigan talent bank. It must be those long winters that lend to the great numbers of super artists home grown right here in Michigan!
Farmfest 2008 Sponsors will be listed here along with links to their websites.
EPCS Websites DSL - Serving Otsego and Crawford County businesses since 1994
Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp
Our buddy Joe MacNeil - Loyal Farmhand for many years
The Montmorency Tribune - Best little news paper in the North!
