Please Note that the kick-off for the Folk Dance Season will be on Saturday, October 10 to coincide with Fortune Lake Fall Fiesta. Activities begin on Saturday at 9 AM with a quilt auction, chili cook-off, country market, pontoon rides, children’s activities, musicians’ jam session (1-3 PM, bring your instruments), cook-out supper, and then the Folk Dance that starts with a concert at 4 PM followed by a contra-dance led by Glen and Judi Morningstar who perform throughout Michigan and surrounding parts and founded the Olde Michigan Ruffwater Stringband. Glen is a renowned fiddler as well as a very popular dance caller of contras, waltz contras, squares, English Country Dance and crazy formation dances. Glen's wife Judi performs and teaches hammer dulcimer and plays piano and dulcimer for contra dances and several music groups. She has published many books of traditional and original music which are used by dulcimer clubs, dance music groups and folk music organizations. Both have websites, www.hometown.aol.com/gmorning/myhomepage/ for Judi and www.dancethroughhistory.com for Glen.

Since 1980 Bob and Gail have traveled the country together taking old time music to audiences of all ages at festivals, fairs, concerts, dances, schools, libraries, music camps, radio and TV programs. This is rural music as played in homes, at dances and for earlier entertainment such as minstrel shows and country radio. With a repertoire that includes dance tunes, ballads, cowboy songs, humorous and sentimental numbers, blues and rags, they spice their shows with stories, history and folklore. They both sing (Bob yodels, too) and play fiddle, banjo, guitar and harmonica. You’ll find their website at www.boveeheil.com.

Hailing from the directional extremes of Michigan’s two peninsulas (lower and upper), Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo come together to form Red Tail Ring, a duo with roots firmly planted in Appalachian old time and folk music, and branches reaching out to forge new arrangements complete with haunting harmonies and an expansive dynamic range (www.redtailring.com). Laurel is familiar to the Second Sunday stage as part of the family band White Water and she will be celebrating the release of her brand new album called "Stung by the Nettle." Laurel’s websites are www.laurelpremo.com and www.myspace.com/laurelpremo. Michael Beauchamp is a native of Kalamazoo. With his powerful voice and mournful guitar licks, he spins beautifully melodic yarns about lost love, discovery, and the playful allure of live music. He is part of the vibrant and growing Michigan music scene as a member of the Earthwork Music Collective whose members helped him produce his debut solo album "My Northern Voices" released in 2008. Beauchamp is currently playing all over the Midwest and getting set to record the follow up to ‘Voices’ (www.myspace.com/michaelbeauchampmusic).

Bryan Bowers is a master autoharp player and traditional songster and has been a major presence on the North American folk music scene since the mid-1960s. He is a powerful singer and a gifted performer and is a returning favorite to the Second Sunday Folk Dance stage. For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism. Bowers has been described by the Houston Post as one of the finest all-around entertainers on the folk and bluegrass circuit and a person who is a national treasure. Visit Bryan’s website at www.bryanbowers.com.

For over thirty five years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses. He has become one of the most popular singers on the folk music circuit today and averages around 200 concert dates a year. His music is a slice of Americana, reflecting with the same ease, his feelings about the prairie people of the Midwest or the adventurers of the Yukon. Interspersed between original songs, Bill also includes songs ranging from traditional folk tunes to more contemporary country ballads and delights in having the audience participate in many of the numbers. Radio and TV appearances have included A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, The Good Evening Show and a host of local programs on PBS and network TV. Bill continues to drive over 65,000 miles a year, doing what he loves, bringing music to people (website: www.acousticmusic.com/staines).

Throughout the United States Colin O'Brien has been described as Wisconsin’s answer to John Hartford. His show features his dazzling dancing foot percussion as he plays fiddle, banjo and guitar. With his live shows he leaves his audience spellbound with the impression that they're listening to an entire band. Here’s how he came to doing these things. In 1992 O’Brien left his native Michigan for Seattle, Washington where he studied classical Guitar at Cornish College of the Arts. After just one year of study (intense study!) he was awarded 2nd place in The Seattle Classic Guitar Society competition. To the possible chagrin of the award committee, Colin spent his award certificate on a huge pile of American Finger-style Guitar books and recordings. In the Fall of 1993 he enrolled in the Guitar program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee. In 1997 O’Brien released his debut recording "Pressure in the West" co-produced by Willy Porter. It received great reviews from both the local press and international publications such as Billboard Magazine. In 1999 O’Brien was bitten by the "Banjo Bug" and proceeded, (with characteristic intensity) to delve into Bluegrass and Celtic styles of Banjo playing. He also used the fresh instrument as a means of studying and exploring music theory and improvisation. The past couple of years have found O’Brien pioneering into exciting territory with his "One Man Dancing Band" solo show, which takes multi-tasking to a whole new level. His solo act has brought much joy and amazement to audiences at major Folk and Bluegrass Festivals, Libraries, Schools, and theatres. Visit Colin at www.colingobrien.com.

Matt brings a very special set of talents to the stage whenever he appears as a folk musician. His excellent guitar playing, mellow voice, friendship with his audience, and knowledge of his presentations is impressive. Add to that Matt’s own special brand of humor and you are in for a most entertaining and enlightening evening. You will feel his obvious love of folk music, both traditional and contemporary, the writers and performers, the heroes and villains. For over 20 years, Robert Jones has been a champion of American Roots music, with a special emphasis on traditional African American music. Spiritual, blues, work songs, field hollers, country music, folk songs, gospel and original songs are all a part of fabric of American Roots Music. This is the music that gave the world jazz, R&B, bluegrass, rock and even Hip Hop. Together Matt and Robert communicate history and tradition that goes far beyond mere music. You can learn more about Matt and Robert at: www.folkslikeus.org/watroba/home.htm and http://www.revrobertjones.com/.