EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The roots, the rhythms and the richness of music, dance, arts and culture from across America and around the world will come to downtown East Lansing Aug. 13-15 for the Michigan State University Museum’s annual Great Lakes Folk Festival.
The music and dance program features performances ranging from blues to bluegrass, Latino, polka, Cajun, Celtic and other diverse cultural expressions and traditions.
Musical artists perform two to four times throughout the weekend so visitors have a chance to see the bands they like and discover new genres and favorites.
An audience favorite at this event is Traditions Showcases, which brings together musicians from different groups – fiddlers, banjo players, guitarists, accordionists, percussionists – who share and compare techniques, traditions and influences for spontaneous and masterful storytelling and performance.
As part of the festival, the MSU Museum will feature its new Grassroots Green program. The folk festival will feature traditions of grassroots citizens groups and individuals who engage in green occupations, environmental activism, organic gardening, local foodways, recycled arts and folk wisdom for taking care of the planet.
The MSU Press Bookfest will feature a number of award-winning publications and authors from several Michigan and Great Lakes-area publishers and booksellers. Taste of Traditions Foodways will feature authentic regional and ethnic food from Ethiopia, the Middle East, Mexico, Jamaica and more.
Admission is free, however, donations are welcome.
Festival hours are: 6-10:30 p.m. Aug. 13; Noon-10:30 p.m. Aug. 14; and Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 15.
For more information, call the MSU Museum at (517) 432-4533 or learn more at greatlakesfolkfest.net and on Twitter.
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