Jul 26 Friday
The Corn Potato String Band earns high praise in traditional American music, keeping old time fiddle and banjo music from a one-way trip to the dustbins of history. Theirs is a story of struggle, hard knocks and triumph. Essentially unable to cope with modern life, the members of this band are outcasts of society who survive by playing the lost music of the flatlands where they were raised.
The Corn Potatos have delighted audiences with their driving fiddle tunes and harmonious singing across the US, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and India. They are all multi-instrumentalists dedicated to continuing the music and dance traditions of the Central and Southern US. In addition to being champion fiddlers they play banjo, guitar, bass and mandolin and deftly handle many different antiquated styles including ballads, “ho-downs,” country “rags” and southern gospel, specializing in twin fiddling and double banjo tunes.
Two Shows: 6:30-8:00 PM & 9:00-10:30 PM
Jul 27 Saturday
Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music, the rhythmic drive of bluegrass, and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber music—chambergrass. The quartet—comprised of Grant Flick on violin, Jake Howard on mandolin, Zach Brown on cello, and Jacob Warren on bass—mixes composition and improvisation seamlessly into their entirely memorized arrangements.
The group formed out of the Acoustic Music Seminar (AMS), a program run by multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall. The program accepts 16 talented string players under the age of 22 from around the world to participate in a week of intense improvisation, composition and performance training. All four were two time participants, an honor that not everyone is able to receive. Some notable AMS alumni include Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers, Alex Hargreaves of Turtle Island String Quartet, and Xavier Foley, winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition.
Westbound Situation has a strong commitment to music education. The group’s combined experience in classical, bluegrass, jazz, and original/improvised music is something not typically offered in the standard curriculum found at most schools and colleges (at least not all at the same time). These styles, among others, give each student the chance to make their own music, and through this process valuable lessons in creativity, listening, and leadership are achieved. Each member of the group maintains a private studio, and all have been invited to provide workshops and masterclasses at schools and festivals across the country.
Westbound Situation’s exciting and diverse concerts feature a set of unique original repertoire colored with recognizable standards from many genres. With bluegrass, classical chamber music, and jazz all coming together in the group’s concept of chambergrass, a Westbound Situation concert is dazzling musical journey not soon forgotten.
Soul/Folk singer/songwriter Dylan Charles will be celebrating the release of his new single "What Would It Take". This dreamy, indie/folk ballad was co-written with singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle of The Ragbirds. Erin will be joining Dylan onstage to perform the new song as well as a few other special tunes. The night will begin with a set of original music from alt-rock singer/songwriter and fellow Ragbird TJ Zindle.
While living in New York City from 2012-2023, Dylan’s creative energy was primarily dedicated to touring, writing and recording with his soul band On the Sun. On the Sun LP (2014), Gratuity Not Included EP (2018) and the single Get Focused (Live) (2019) all feature his work.
In addition to his own projects, he frequently collaborates with other artists as a producer, co-writer and multi-instrumentalist.
Jul 28 Sunday
10-piece big band led by Chris Smith, specializing in hot jazz of the 1920s and 30s. Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington and other jazz legends are prominent in their repertoire. For listening or dancing.
Jul 29 Monday
Emerging American carillon talent Kayla Gunderson performs a recital including works for children by Jean W. Miller, the first North American woman to publish her carillon compositions and the first blind woman to ever publish carillon music. Gunderson recently graduated from the Royal Carillon School ‘Jef Denyn’ in Belgium. Originally from Seattle, she learned to play the carillon at the University of Rochester in New York. She is active as a member of the Professionalism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America. Beyond carillon, she is working towards obtaining a license in American Sign Language/English interpretation.
Summer carillon concerts are free and open to all, including to families and their pets. The music happens rain or shine. Please note that concerts are scheduled on both Central and North Campus, so plan your commute accordingly. When you arrive, take a program from the stand near the tower and have a seat outdoors wherever you like, or bring your own lawn chair or blanket (even your own picnic!). Concert staff wearing nametags will be available to answer questions or direct you to accessible restrooms and other facilities. For best acoustics, sit far enough away from the tower to have a direct line of sight to the bells.
Metered visitor parking behind the Walgreen Drama Center is limited due to construction. Additional street parking along Bonisteel Blvd. is available after business hours, and metered visitor parking is available by the E.V. Moore Building (lot NC10), the North Campus Recreation Building (lot NC44), and the Art & Architecture Building (lot NC43).
Jul 30 Tuesday
The Easy Street Jazz Band has played Dixieland jazz for over 50 years right here in Ann Arbor. Leader/trombonist Terry Kimura picks familiar tunes from the traditional jazz repertoire and blows the dust off some forgotten gems from Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Walter Donaldson, Hoagy Carmichael and other great composers from the early part of the 20th century. Kimura, Matt Collar (tr), Chris Tabaczynski (reeds) Pete Siers (percussion), Rod McDonald (guitar and banjo), Paul Keller (bass), and a guest pianist play great jazz for listening and dancing fun.
Jul 31 Wednesday
Bring your song, story, poetry, comedy, expression, magic, monologue, mood, presence, attention, and appreciation and join the Northstar creative community! Signup starts at 6:30.
$5 cover, though no one will be turned away due to inability to pay.
About your hosts:Forrest Hejkal is a performer, sauna builder, and crafter of experience born and raised in Ann Arbor Michigan. He has turned multiple barns into theaters, and has created national tours of street performance and living room theater. He is currently taking suggestions for new impractical projects.
Aug 01 Thursday
Join us for a free LGBTQ night happy hour concert!Coley Roberts (she/they) is a singer/songwriter who currently lives in Dexter, Michigan. Coley's inspiration comes from delving into their human experience and finding pieces of their grief, confusion, heartbreak, and Love that they release into a musical form. Her instrumentation serves as a backdrop to lilting melodies that shift with the emotionality of their music, which is the driving force for her sound. Coley also has a degree in classical singing/vocal performance and is a board certified music therapist who currently works in hospice and special education. She also loves being in or near the water as often as possible and is fiercely devoted to her dog, Lodi.
Nature Trivia for Queer people and Allies happening August 1 at North Star Lounge, and co-sponsored by Rhizome Roots Studio. Test your knowledge of nature, local flora, fungi, and fauna, for a chance to win some wild prizes!
Aug 02 Friday
Join us for a free happy hour concert!Swamp Rats take intricate clawhammer banjo and blends it with a driving punk rhythm fronted by gritty & soothing harmonizing vocals. Some have said the music sounds like a type of haunted that makes them happy. Folk with an edge is what most people say about Florida's "Phantom" folk band Swamp Rats.