Sooo... the person we selected to win 2 tickets to the Traverse City Winter Microbrew and Music Festivalhasn't contacted us. The festival is this Saturday, February 11th - just days away. That means we have to give these away and give them away quickly to someone who wants to make the trip to Traverse City!If this is you and if you are 21 years of age, all you have to do is either:

1. Go to the Absolute Michigan facebook and find the comment that says If you want to go to the Traverse City Winter Microbrew and Music Festival Read This! and post a comment saying you want to go - feel free to add your favorite Michigan beer or something you're looking forward to.

2. Post a comment below! Include the part where you say nice things about a craft brew, musician or polkas!

3. If you're shy or not a Facebooker, no problem - just reply to this email - and please feel free to share your thoughts about what excites you about the festival or Absolute Michigan!

We will put them all into a list, head over to random.org at 6 PM tomorrow and find out who wins. Share it with friends who might be interested too - maybe they'll take you along if they win!!

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Today's offering in The Daily Michigan is a pair of tickets to the 3rd Annual Winter Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival (must be 21 to win). The festival has so much to offer that probably the best thing we can do is give you the poster above to click on!

Click here to sign up

Shadows on Ice by farlane

This annual festival is produced by Porterhouse Productions and features over 40 breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies - most from Michigan - along with local food vendors and beer and cuisine pairings. A highlight of the festival is a wide range of entertainment featuring Funktion, Heatbox, The Crane Wives, Whitney Morgan and the 78s, Dragon Wagon and Rootstand.  There's also fire dancers, live polka music and a silent disco.

It all benefits Bay Area Recycling for Charities, a non-profit company providing comprehensive recycling services to residents and businesses in the Grand Traverse Bay area. BARC allows customers to get top-quality recycling services and give back to the local community through the charity of their choice.

Click the button for their Facebook and some photos and info, order tickets and get more details from Porterhouse Productions. There's some great music for us to choose from. While we're tempted to link over to our friends in Dragon Wagon or Minnesota-based Heatbox, we have to present The Crane Wives performing one of their hits!

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Iron Works #2 - Cranbrook by MikeRyu

Our Michigan February Event Calendar shows that the more the weather tries to keep us holed up, the more ways we find to get out and have fun!! Of course, there's still many, many more and we invite you to fill us in on other February events in the comments.

February Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• Having only 28 days in common years, it is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon. 2012 is a Leap Year!
• It has 29 days in leap years, when the year number is divisible by four (except for years that are divisible by 100 and not by 400 in the Gregorian calendar)
• It is the only month of the calendar that once every six years and twice every 11 years, will have only four full 7-day weeks.
• Its birth flower is the Viola (plant) and the Primrose.
• Its birthstone is the amethyst.

February Quotes

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow." - R. H. Newell

"February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March." - Dr. J. R. Stockton

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." - John Boswell

"February makes a bridge and March breaks it." - George Hebert

Notable February Dates from Michigan History Magazine

• February 13, 1855 The Michigan legislature protects escaped slaves.
• February 24, 1863 Michigan supports the Emancipation Proclamation.
• February 17, 1864 The First Michigan Colored Infantry is mustered into federal service.
• February 21, 1905 The National Ski Association is organized in Ishpeming.
• February 20, 1909 The Hudson Motor Car Company is organized.
• February 2, 1936 Ty Cobb becomes one of the first players selected to enter the newly formed Baseball Hall of Fame.
• February 8, 1985 The Stroh Brewery announces it is closing its Detroit plant.

Michigan Events for February

Also see the Pure Michigan Blog and the UP Travel Calendar for more events!

Ice Climbing - Tannery Falls
by James Marvin Phelps

February 2 - 5
Michigan Ice Fest, Munising
Ice Fest is an annual tradition that features climbing for sure, but it gives attendees a chance to learn and develop skills, hear from some of the masters if the art and to connect with friends and fellow climbers from around the Midwest! Games, winter gear demos, bonfire, sledding hill, raffles, drinks and food are all part of this event. (check out some of the incredible climbs!)

February 2-5
North American Snow Festival, Cadillac
Featuring snowmobiling, downhill skiing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snow softball, polar dip, ice fishing, antique sleds, fun run, food, beverages and much more, the annual Snow Festival is a four-day celebration of winter in northern Michigan.

February 4 - 5
Taste the Passion, Leelanau Peninsula
Get a head start on Valentines Day and join the wineries of the Leelanau Wine Trail for an annual weekend celebrating wine, chocolate and love. The event features food & wine pairings at each winery along with special, winter-themed events.

The Swimmers of 2009 Perchville
by sunrisepenny

February 3 - 5
Perchville USA, East Tawas & Tawas City
The 62nd Annual Perchville USA features fishing contests, polar bear dip, a parade and more perch than you can shake a fishing pole at!

February 4
International 500 Snowmobile Race, Sault Ste. Marie
First run in 1969, the annual International 500 Snowmobile Race offers all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile ice oval, with drivers reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Includes all kinds of snowmobile exhibits and vendors and was proclaimed by Gov. Snyder as Michigan's premier winter sporting event!

February 9 - 12
Michigan Tech University Winter Carnival, Houghton
Events include the famous snow statues, sporting events including skating, curling, broomball, ice bowling, human sled dog racing, the queen contest, a torch light parade, fireworks, the Sno-Ball and much more.

February 10 -12
Midwest Telefest, Porcupine Mountain, Ontonagon
Telefest is the largest gathering of free heelers in the Midwest! Now in its 22nd season, Telefest has evolved into a tradition and is a hallmark celebration of the telemark turn. During Telefest there will be opportunities to try out the latest tele gear, take an instructional course or clinic, compete in races, cut turns in the backcountry, watch a movie, and dance with friends at the party!

Ski Jumping in Michigan by gkretovic

February 11 - 12
Pine Mountain Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament, Iron Mountain
For the 73rd year ski jumpers from around the globe will gather in Iron Mountain to try and claim king of the mountain at the 120 meter Pine Mountain Ski Jump. Known around the world as one of the more challenging ski jumping venues, Pine Mountain over time has attracted some of the world’s best. Countries expected to compete in the 2012 competition include Austria, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Slovenia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Finland, Germany, Turkey and of course the United States.

February 11 - 19
Detroit Boat Show - Detroit
The Detroit Boat Show has been staged every year for 51 years, and is known as the premier boating event in the State of Michigan. The Detroit Boat Show is known as one of the top boat shows in the country in regards to size, sales and attendance.

Dog sled races, UP200, 2007 by e.rabior

February 16 - 20
UP 200, Midnight Run Sled-Dog Championships and The Jack Pine 30 - Marquette
Three UP sled dog races provide a variety of challenges for mushers. The UP 200 is actually 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. Over 15,000 visitors come to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200! It is a favorite winter event for local residents and out of town guests. The U.P. 200 has a dedicated group of over 500 volunteers from the U.P. and the mid-west region that come together to stage this great event each year.

February 17 - 19
Cherry Capital Winter WOW Fest - Traverse City
Winter WOW Fest is a three-day wintertime celebration chock-full of fun for all ages in the Cherry Capital of the World, President's Day Weekend featuring food, wine, music, ice & snow sculptures, a snowboard rail jam and much more.

February 16 - 19
Frost Bite Winter Festival - Harrison
The 2012 theme is "Vegas!" featuring a Casino Party, Fake Vegas-style "Speed Weddings", night out with the Vegas Showgirls and golf and ice fishing tournaments. The golf tournament takes place on 5 groomed nine-hole courses, where novice and veteran golfers hit brightly colored tennis balls over the snow.

February 17 - 19
U.P. Pond Hockey Championship - St. Ignace
The Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship features over 150 teams competing for prizes is played on the wild ice of Moran Bay in St. Ignace, part of Lake Huron. The tournament is the only one in Michigan where the 'pond' is actually one of the Great Lakes! Includes and appearance of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni team for an exhibition game on Friday.

Winter Microbrew Fest by farlane

February 18
Traverse City Winter Microbrew & Music Festival, Traverse City
The 3rd annual TC Winter Microbrew fest brings over 40 breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies to the Grand Traverse Commons along with local food, beer pairings, heated tents, and a wide range of musical entertainment including fire dancers and silent disco to celebrate winter & brewing and benefit Bay Area Recycling for Charities.

February 18
Romancing the Riesling, Traverse City
Northern Michigan is known for producing top notch Riesling grapes, and this annual event celebrates by sharing some of the best Rieslings the Old Mission Peninsula has to offer. Participating wineries will showcase a Riesling, served in your very own souvenir wine glass and perfectly paired with a food offering. As an extra bonus, guests will enjoy at least 10% off all Riesling wine purchases at the participating wineries throughout the event.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls-Winter
by James Marvin Phelps

February 18
Tahquamenon Snowshoe Race, Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Starting at Upper Tahquamenon Falls, this annual event offers 5K, 10K, 20K and 800 meter Kids Snowshoe races. Many age groups with awards to the top three in each age group for each race.

February 20 - 25
Grand Rapids Beer Week, Grand Rapids
With seven established breweries within the city limits, Grand Rapids is quickly becoming a destination for craft beer culture. GR Beer Week is a celebration of that and will feature beer dinners, rare beer tastings, tap takeovers and other unique events.

February 24
The Great Wine & Food Symposium, Grand Rapids
Escape the snow with an evening of indulgence at The Great Wine & Food Symposium, west Michigan's premier wine tasting event. You'll enjoy gourmet food selections, and your single ticket price includes unlimited sampling of over 300 wines and beers from around the world as classical music drifts through the halls. Order your favorite wine and beer with up to a 40% discount.

February 25
The Outhouse 500 - Coopersville
Join in with the hilarious and wacky fun of the 6th Annual Outhouse 500 on Main Street in Historic Downtown Coopersville! Hosted by the Main Street Merchants Association. Teams parade, then race their uniquely decorated outhouses down Main Street!

February 25
Winter Beer Festival - Grand Rapids
NOTE - this event is (already) sold out!! The Annual Winter Beer Festival takes place at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids. The Winter Festival is a unique opportunity to sample some of the best beers in the world, all brewed in Michigan. The event includes more than 35 Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs with more than 200 different beers available to sample.

Trenary Outhouse Suessical by CreateWithKim

February 25
Trenary Outhouse Classic - The Outhouse Races - Trenary
The Outhouse Classic is an annual race in Trenary where outhouses are built and raced down the main street. There are categories: speed, presentation, best use of theme, most humorous, best workmanship, and most miles traveled. Families come to the event to watch and to compete, there are two different age brackets making competitions fair. A few years ago nuns came to compete and built the Vati-Can. Make sure to head on up to Trenary for the annual Outhouse Classic. Read Absolute Michigan's Sports that ARE Silly: Outhouse Racing or watch Outhouse Classic Outhouse Race in Trenary, Michigan.

February 29
Leap Year!, all over Michigan
February 29th only comes once every 4 years, so do something special to mark it!

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Detroit's beloved rock sons - Sponge - will offer fans a rare treat when they perform their break through hit CD "Rotting Piñata" for the first time ever in its entirety - and in CD track order at Mt. Clemens' Emerald Theatre on Saturday, January 28.

Before Kid Rock became synonymous with Detroit ROCK, Sponge dominated MTV and national radio with their hits "Plowed" and "Molly/16 Candles," culled from the band's electrifying debut CD "Rotting Piñata." The CD went Gold, securing Sponge's place in Detroit's music history books.

Sponge went on to release 6 CDs, garnering additional hits including "Wax Ecstatic" and "Have You Seen Mary." The unforgettable performances by charismatic lead singer Vinnie Dombroski have earned Sponge a reputation as a "not to be missed" live act, and you have a chance to do exactly that in a couple of special upcomg live shows.

Admission for Sponge's Emerald Theatre show (located at 31 N. Walnut St.) is $15 in advance ($18 day of the show), and are available now at the venue's box office and Ticketmaster. A stellar line up of Michigan rock bands will open for Sponge, most notably Amy Gore and Her Valentines.

After the Emerald Theatre performance, Sponge will perform an intimate SECOND (and possibly THIRD) show inside the Emerald Theatre's Rock Room, playing hits from the band's entire music catalog. Admission for these shows is by donation with 100% of proceeds benefitting local Susan A. Komen 3- Day walking team "Trekking for Ta-Tas."

For more information on the shows, please contact the venue at 586-913-1921 or visit their website. More information on Sponge is available at spongetheband.com. We'll close with Sponge performing "Molly/16 Candles" on the Conan O'Brien Show in 1996.

Absolute Michigan is committed to helping our readers get more out of Michigan. To that end, we are adding an exciting new program featuring giveaways of products and services from all kinds of Michigan businesses. It's free, fun and all you have to do to be eligible is to be on our email list - sign up using the form below. We guarantee that we will not share your email address with anyone!

If your business is interested in participating, you can get all the information right here.

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Neither of these new laws would stop piracy, which Absolute Michigan is opposed to. Both, however, would put control of online content in the hands of large entertainment corporations and the government, placing a giant burden on web media outlets like Wikipedia, WordPress, YouTube ... and even little old Absolute Michigan.

With our Absolute Michigan, Michigan in Pictures and Leelanau.com websites all down yesterday, there was some time to think about the issue, and we'd like to share one thought: We live in a world very different from the early 1700s when Parliament enacted the Statute of Anne to address the concerns of English booksellers and printers (you can look it up ... for now, on Wikipedia).

We are encouraged at every turn and by every consumer device to sing along to commercials, dance to the latest music and in general, swim in a sea of ever-present media. You can debate the pros and cons of doing that but it seems that expecting our candid videos, blogged observations or Facebooked^TM thoughts won't incorporate background music or samples, brand names is flat-out silly. We need intelligent and well thought out laws that recognize the modern world, and SOPA and PIPA definitely aren't either of those things.

Click here to watch a short video or read more about this issue and please take a moment to contact your elected officials through the links we provide!

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Frankfort, Michigan Lighthouse and Beach by forestlady

Here's a few highlights of the many events being held around Michigan for the month of January (be sure to click Read More to see them!). A lot of them are out in the snow for snowmobiles, skates, skis and sled dogs, but there's also a chance to heat up with the Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Ferndale Blues and the Detroit Auto Show. The weatherman says there's a 100% chance we didn't get them all so please add links and information for those we missed along with reviews of ones we list in the comments below!

Fast Facts - Wikipedia

• January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) - January is the door to the year.
• January's birthstone is the garnet which represents constancy.
• Its birth flower is the Dianthus caryophyllus or Galanthus.

Quotes

"New Year's Day is everyman's birthday." - Charles Lamb

"January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow." - Sara Coleridge

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

Things to Do, Places to Go

Also see the Pure Michigan Blog and the UP Travel Calendar for more events!

All Month
Ice Skate Campus Martius Park - Detroit
Skating among the skyscrapers at Campus Martius Park. At 64 feet by 120 feet, it's a bit larger than the Rink at Rockefeller Center and showcases surround-sound music and color-changing lighting. Skaters and visitors can enjoy a warming pavilion for renting and changing skates, as well as outdoor seating. The rink is open daily until March.

January 7
Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race - Newberry
An annual race on pristine trails over beautiful terrain.  Experience the excitement of Sled Dog Racing from professional teams to amateur enthusiasts competing in long distance & sprint events.

January 7 & January 21
Guided Snowshoe Hike at Hartwick Pines, Grayling
Enjoy guided snowshoe hikes through the Lower Peninsula’s largest stand of old-growth white pines. Guided by a park interpreter or historian, participants will learn about the forest in the winter and discover the importance of winter to Michigan’s logging industry in the 1800s, all while getting great exercise.

January 12 - 15
Ultimate Fishing Show, Novi
Michigan's largest fishing show. This show is all about fishing tackle, fishing trips, fishing boats and features: Lake Ultimate, Trout Pond, Seminar Stages, Fish Fry and more. Detroit is the largest freshwater fishing market in the U.S.!

January 14 - January 22
The North American International Auto Show - Detroit
Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. See more than 500 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world and experience North America's largest and most prestigious automotive showcase.

January 13
Winter Warm-Up Weekend - Traverse City
The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) have teamed up with peninsula area businesses for the 2011 Winter Warm Up. Guests can visit the Old Mission wineries between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to purchase a souvenir mug for $10. This mug is your ticket into each participating winery and business on Old Mission Peninsula, allowing you to enjoy warm comfort food and drinks. Some peninsula area restaurants are offering special promotions when you present your mug. Stay at one of the Peninsula's Bed & Breakfast. For information on the B&Bs check out www.oldmission.com.

January 13 - 14 and January 21
Winternational Hillclimb - South Range
The Winternationals Hillclimb at Whealkate Bluff in South Range features snowmobile pro-stock and pro-mod king of the hill, semi-pro/sport, concessions, and awards. On the 21st there are Vintage, Semi-Pro Division, Pro Stock and Pro Mod Division and King of the Hill Runs as well.

January 13 – 15
Hunter Ice Festival, Niles
World Class Master Carvers will transform more than 25 tons of Ice into art in a showcase of 50+ ice sculptures situated all over the downtown area and created on site by well-known ice carvers from near and far. Also enjoy a Murder Mystery Dinner, Frigid 5k Run, History of Ice Carving/Harvesting Exhibit, Warming Center, kids’ crafts, Chillin’ Ice Bar at Riverfront Café, Chili Crawl, Hunter Ice Cream and more!

January 19 - 21
Michigan Winter Dog Classic, Novi
Michigan's largest dog show features seminars, demonstrations and competition with over 7,000 dogs and 150+ breeds throughout the 4-day show, including several breeds getting ready for the country’s premier Westminster Kennel Club Dog show in February, 2012. Dogs will be judged on standards set by the American Kennel Club.

January 20 - 22
Caro 150 Winter Fest & Snowmobile Races, Caro
In addition to pro and amateur snowmobile races, enjoy a special downtown open house, live entertainment, restaurant specials, contests, fireworks and more in a classic Michigan winter festival.

January 20 - 22
Plymouth Ice Festival, Plymouth
Michigan’s largest ice sculpture display is the backdrop for a winter celebration with outdoor sports demonstrations, ice carving displays, food, fun activities for all ages, live music and more! It is the largest free winter festival in Michigan and is celebrating 30 years in 2012.

January 21 - 22
Heikki Lunta Festival, Teal Lake, Negaunee
The annual Heikki Lunta (Hey-Key Loon-ta) Winterfest is a festival of winter fun held on and around Negaunee's Teal Lake celebrating Heikki Lunta, the legendary (and pretty much made up) Finnish show god who is said to have the ability to perform a dance causing snowfall.

January 22 - 24 and 29 - 31
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
It's hard to put into words how Tip Up Town USA has come to be the very description of winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake. Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January. Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we're adding Broomball this year!

January 25 - 30
Zehnder's Snowfest - Frankenmuth
Zehnder's Snowfest has been host to one of the top snow sculpting events in North America for the past 20 years. Visitors have enjoyed larger-than-life snow sculptures and beautifully detailed ice carvings each year. Once again they will dazzle and excite you with snow and ice sculptures created by professional ice and snow carvers from around the world. Zehnder's Snowfest is also host to the National Collegiate Ice Carving Championship and the High School Snow Sculpting Competition. In addition, Zehnder's Snowfest will have entertainment for the entire family in the warming tent, a fireworks display, petting zoo and children's activities.

January 26 - 29
Michigan International Auto Show, Grand Rapids
West Michigan’s largest consumer show returns to DeVos Place, with manufacturers from around the world and some 300 new sedans, vans, SUVs, trucks, hybrids and sports cars on display. Attendees will once again have the opportunity to get an up close look at a handful of exclusive luxury automobiles in the twelve vehicle Million Dollar Motorway. An impressive s, each sporting an individual price tag of more than $100,000 – with a cumulative value of more than $2.5 million.

January 27 - 28
Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Ann Arbor
In keeping with the Festival's longstanding reputation, each night will feature a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, providing audiences with the opportunity to hear popular artists working at the top of their field while discovering terrific new talent. All funds raised through the Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.

January 27 - February 4
Ferndale Blues Festival - Ferndale
Get your Blues on! The Ferndale Metro Blues Festival has been a hugely popular and wildly successful event. In fact, it was an official sanctioned event of Super Bowl XL in 2006. The Ferndale Metro Blues Festival averages more than 60 concerts held over nine days at two dozen locations in the region.

January 27 - 29
International 500 Puck-A-Palooza Hockey Tournament, Sault Ste Marie
The Original Hockey Town USA invitesyou to enjoy the first Puck-A-Palooza 4 on 4 track hockey tournament. Hockey played on the world’s fastest, longest and oldest endurance racing straight-away surface.

January 28
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque - Marquette
The MGH Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque, both in their eleventh year, continue to attract cross country skiers from around the nation and around the world. Thousands of skiers have taken the 51K or 25K trek from Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing and home to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame to Marquette's Superior Dome, the world's largest wooden domed stadium along the shores of Lake Superior.

January 28
Heikinpaiva - Hancock
Heikinpäivä is set for January 29, 2011, with events throughout the week leading up to the primary festival day, as well as the days immediately following. Organizers keep a watchful eye on the celebration's uniquely ethnic flavor and it features Finnish crafts, music, food, films and games. Although a Hancock City event, the Heikinpaiva spirit has spilled into neighboring communities from Calumet to South Range.

January 28
Winter Beer Fest, Royal Oak
Winter Beer Fest, presented by Westborn Market, returns to the Royal Oak Music Theatre for its third year. Beer lovers will be able to sample over 80 craft beers from around the globe - including at least fifteen brand-new beers making their Michigan debut - while enjoying beer-inspired cuisine and live music by Detroit folk favorites Petal Shop. The event runs from 8 pm – Midnight, and ages 21+ are welcome to attend. Tickets are just $35 in advance ($40 at the door) and include 25 beer samplings. Proceeds will benefit Michigan-based nonprofit Camp Casey, a horseback-riding program for children with cancer.

January 28 - 29
Orchid Show at Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids
Enjoy hundreds of exquisite orchids featured in lush displays in the Grand Room. Members from the Grand Valley Orchid Society will answer your questions and point out some of the most unique orchids. Shop early for the best selection and find the perfect orchid for your home. The “orchid pyramid” offers photo opportunities. Kids will have fun on an “orchid hunt” and can express their creativity at the art station

January 28 - 29
Chilly Fest 2012 , Port Huron
What goes better with winter than ICE and CHILI?! In the City of Port Huron you'll find ice carvings, a chili cook-off, snowmobile drag races, Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament, horse & carriage rides, live animals, Knowlton Ice Museum exhibits, kids activities and a special appearance from form Red Wing, Chris Chelios!

January 28 – 29
Winter White-Out, St. Clair
St. Clair is closing the streets for winter fun featuring winter games, live music, entertainment and plenty of celebration as the community of St. Clair competes against four other Michigan cities to make the most snowmen in two hours. Competing cities are Saline, Sault Ste. Marie and Zeeland.

...and don't miss in the first week of February

• I-500 Snowmobile Race (Sault Ste Marie)
• Leelanau Taste the Passion Wine Tour (Traverse City)
• North American Snow Festival (Cadillac)

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25 Christmas Lane on a winter's eve, circa 2010 (Photo courtesy of Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland)

My favorite holiday movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). Clark Griswold, (Chevy Chase), our hero, has a plan for the traditional Griswold family Christmas that includes fifty thousand twinkling outdoor lights on the roof. When Clark drags his entire family out to see his masterpiece, the lights don’t work. The frustrating, yet entertaining, effort to fix the problem resonates with me (This includes Clark on the roof checking each individual bulb.). My favorite part comes when Clark prevails, the family is impressed, and he thanks his father for teaching him about exterior illumination.

Beginnings

Wallace Bronner (1927-2008) knew that exterior illumination is essential for the holidays. We are all familiar with his enormous enterprise: Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, located on 25 Christmas Lane in Frankenmuth. Initially, this behemoth of holiday cheer started as a signage business. During the early forties, Wally worked as a sign painter and a clerk at the Hubinger Grocery Store, which was owned by his maternal relatives. Part of his job included designing window displays. In 1945, as Frankenmuth celebrated its centennial year, Bronner Display and Sign Advertising was in demand for painting signs and decorating store windows and parade floats. That year Wallace Bronner met Irene Ruth Pretzer, the woman he would marry on June 23, 1951 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hemlock, Michigan.

Signs designed by Wally Bronner for the city of Clare, 1951 (Photo courtesy of Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland.).

Irene was instrumental in helping Wally land a monthly window display contract with the Jennison Hardware Company of Bay City (c. 1947) (Irene had attended Bay City Junior College and boarded at the home of G.W. Cooke, president of the hardware company.). Bronner’s work for the hardware company resulted in a referral to the town of Clare, Michigan (1951). This first municipal holiday commission was to design decorative lamppost panels. After that job, Wally hired his friend Fred Bernthal to look for new clients in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario.

Bronner also entered into contracts with General Plastics Corporation (Marion, Indiana) and Mold-Craft Corporation (Port Washington, Wisconsin). These companies provided street trims and ornaments, latex Santas, reindeers and nativity scenes. In 1952, Bronner staged two shows exhibiting outdoor Christmas decorations, one in the Frankenmuth Township Hall, the other at the St. Lorenz School gymnasium. Both were successful. However, both venues were temporary. Bronner decided to rent a more permanent building, a vacated one-room schoolhouse (formerly Frankenmuth School District Number 1). Thus, year round exhibit of Christmas decorations became possible! “At first the people of the community thought the idea to be rather unusual, but accepted it fully when Frankenmuth became known as the Christmas Town.” (Bronner’s 2005 Corporate History, page 35.)

“Thinking Big”

Wally Bronner with employees. (Photo taken in the 1960s. Photo is courtesy Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland)

Herman Bronner (Wally’s father) was a building contractor and stone mason. He convinced his son to “think big” by changing the plans for the first Bronner-owned building from two, L-shaped, rectangular buildings to one large, square building. The Bronner’s store at 121 East Tuscola (a lot adjoining Aunt Hattie’s grocery store) opened in 1954. It was divided into two sections, one space for the sign painting business, the other for Christmas decorations.

Wally was grateful for his dad’s vision and business acumen. The municipal clientele grew to include shopping centers and commercial interiors. As buyers selected decorations for their stores and churches, their wives requested home decorations. From 1954 to 1963, Bronner exhibited at the Saginaw County Fair, which, at the time, boasted numbers of three hundred thousand people. By 1960, the company was officially incorporated, and home decorations were added to the product line. In 1964, the first billboard advertising Bronners appeared on I-75, ten miles south of Exit 136 (Frankenmuth). Many travelling up North are familiar with that sign. Subsequent ones (more than sixty located in seven states) continue to extol the importance of holiday cheer and illumination.

Source material

Picturesque Story of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, as related by Wally Bronner. Published by Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, 2005.

The History of Bronner’s Christmas Decorations by Doris A Paul. Published by the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, 1981.

Brad Redford, a native of Frankenmuth visited Bronner's last year and has a pretty funny video in his show Redford's Rundown. However, we're going to have to go with this awesome music video of Wally Bronner (Christmas Always) by Michigan rockers The Hard Lessons. A little tip: click that link and subscribe to their email list to download their entire new album Arms Forest AND stay tuned at the end of the video for the B-side of this song, O Holy Night!

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Rockin' in the New Year by BigFreaky

Quotes

"New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past and to welcome the future." - New Year's Customs

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." - Bill Vaughan

"To leave the old with a burst of song,
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the thing that blinds you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past." - Robert B. Beattie

The Happenings

Also check out the New Year's Event Roundup from the Pure Michigan blog.

The HOT New Year's Eve - Grand Rapids
Join more than 35,000 people in downtown Grand Rapids to celebrate New Year's Eve in high style: big-name outdoor concerts, restaurant and bar parties, a midnight ball drop, and more. The Romantics, The Ready Set and The Downtown Fiction will headline this year's HotFM party, now moved slightly to Monroe Avenue between Louis and Pearl. Rosa Parks Circle will be open for ice skating.

New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo, MI
New Year's Fest is a performing arts celebration in downtown Kalamazoo. Hosted on December 31, 2011. New Year's Fest provides 26 different entertainers who perform inside 15 buildings surrounding Bronson Park.

Resolution Ball - Detroit, MI
Two of the biggest area promoters come together to put on the single largest New Years Eve celebration in the Detroit area. NYEDetroit.com in partnership with TheSocialConnection.com, presents the Resolution Ball at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. A black tie optional event featuring an open bar, food and great music all night. THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!

Downtown New Year's Eve Gala & Fireworks - Mt Clemens, MI
Metro Detroit's Best Family New Year's Eve Party featuring live entertainment and Midnight fireworks! The gala is the perfect way for families to ring in the New Year together. With most New Year’s Eve activities focused on partying, the Macomb County New Year’s Eve Gala is designed for families to spend the night celebrating together. Check out new kids activities running from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Award-winning Melrose Pyrotechnics will again be providing the professional pyrotechnics display.

Pistons vs. Pacers - Auburn Hills, MI
Watch the ball drop ... through the net!  Game starts at 6:00pm

Griffins vs. Milwaukee Admirals - Grand Rapids, MI
Team Poster Giveaway: The first 2,000 fans will receive a Griffins team poster. Festivities include West Michigan’s largest indoor fireworks display, a New Year’s Eve buffet from 4:30 p.m. through the first intermission and a chance to bring your skates to the rink and take to the ice after the game!

New Year's Eve at The B.O.B. - Grand Rapids, MI
Ring in the New Year in style at The B.O.B. with a bash that is highly anticipated every year. Live entertainment and a ton of options to choose from.

Craig's Cruisers New Years Eve Parties - Grand Rapids, MI
Two parties to choose from: 4-8pm and 9pm-1am Special countdown for both parties! Includes unlimited indoor go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, high ropes course and frog hopper! Plus free play on all non-redemption video games. Enjoy Craig's "Special New Year's Feast". Music and Karaoke from 6pm-1am. Party Favors for everyone! $24.99/person OR $125 for six tickets! plus food tax. Limited wristbands available. Sell out expected!

Ring In the New Year at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain
Ring in the New Year at Boyne with choice of several festivities. Join them for holiday excitement and celebration through Sunday, January 1. They offer lots for the whole family to enjoy this year, including teen parties on New Year's Eve, holiday buffets and the favorites such as torchlight parades followed by fireworks at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain! Plus, amazing snow conditions and other winter events to make the time together extra special.

CHERRYT BALL DROP (CHARITY BALL DROP) - Traverse City, MI
The 3rd annual Cherry Ball Drop takes place at the corner of Cass and Front streets in Downtown Traverse City (right in front of the Christmas tree). Downtown Traverse City will be packed with event goers for the 3 annual CherryT Ball Drop. Right before Midnight a large illuminated cherry will be lowered to signify the coming year! It all starts at 9pm with live entertainment, DJ, a visit from the Coast Guard and other surprises! (check out the video from last year by Ken Scott at the bottom of the post!)

Grand Traverse Resort New Year's Celebration - Traverse City, MI
Celebrate the New Year in style at an event filled with fun and dancing with music ranging from Motown, Pop, Blues, Funk, Swing, and Jazz by Ronnie Hernandez & the Ron Getz Sextet. Their New Year's Eve package includes accommodations, the New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball, a 3-Course Plated Dinner and Champagne Toast at Midnight.

New Year's Eve Dinner Train: Murder Mystery Charlotte & Blissfield, MI
Ring in the New Year on the Old Road! Come raise a glass with them and welcome in the New Year, 2012! This holiday special train boards 30 minutes later than usual (at 6:30pm.)

Great Turtle Drop on Mackinac Island
The owners of the Cottage Inn on Mackinac Island will ring in the New Year with a new tradition, the Great Turtle Drop. A giant fiberglass turtle will be lifted in the air Saturday, December 31, before midnight and descend to the ground to commemorate the New Year.

We're sure there's more - add them in the comments and have a very Happy New Year! Now here's that video by Ken Scott!

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Joseph Fulton put together this amazing tribute to the 29 men who went down with the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. This video is one of the best I've ever seen on YouTube and I hope you can watch it. More shipping & shipwrecks on Absolute Michigan and also see much more about the Edmund Fitzgerald on Michigan in Pictures including the launch of the Fitz.

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Joe Hertler + The Rainbow Seekers

Midwest Fest is an annual festival in Mt. Pleasant the weekend of September 28th through October 1st. It features indie, folk, electronic, experimental and pop bands from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Oftentimes, the draw of a music festival is who you've heard of, but one of the best things about Midwest Fest is who you haven't heard of! There's 20+ bands over 4 nights and some great Michigan acts.

Check out this list: W. Michael Freer (Roscommon), Jes Kramer, Ghost Heart, The Crane Wives, Stepdad (Grand Rapids), Morseville Bridge, Empty Orchestra (Flint), Mountains for Clouds, Yoke (Midland), Newday Dreamers, Jetpack On!, Joe Hertler + The Rainbow Seekers, Bloomill (Mt. Pleasant), Chris Bathgate (Pinckney) Lightning Love, Nathan K. (Ypsilanti), Phantasmagoria, The High Strung (Detroit), Elliot Street Lunatic, Frontier Ruckus (Lansing).

Absolute Michigan has a pair of tickets for one lucky winner that we'll give away on Thursday. All you have to do is join our email list using the form below! Get a taste through the Midwest Fest bandcamp and check out the video of The Crane Wives below - many more on their website!

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Sample Michigan-made wines, craft beers, homegrown delicacies and signature products from throughout the state while you enjoy live entertainment by northern Michigan's own Emmy award-winning Bihlman Brothers. The event takes place outdoors on Crystal's slopeside lawn adjacent to the Crystal Clipper chairlift, but if the weather is bad, it will be moved to an on-premise indoor location.

Check below to register for a pair of tickets to the Taste of Michigan and also to see the Bihlman Bros. performing their hit Jubilee.

To be eligible for a pair of passes to the Taste of Michigan and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

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Buckwheat Zydeco at the Beer Fest II by farlane,

The annual Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival features over 50 breweries, a cider, mead and wine court, a new silent disco tent and a musical lineup including chart-topping folk rocker Martin Sexton, Grammy-nominated New Orleans brass brand Rebirth Brass Brand and Afro-Cuban funk favorites Euforquestra. It takes place August 26 & 27 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and other musical guests include fiddle rockers Barrage, popular Michigan dance outfit Ella Riot (formerly My Dear Disco), musical “mad scientist” That 1 Guy, Celtic marchers Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, West African drummers and more!

This year, the festival will kick off on Friday, August 26 from 5-10 p.m. with a “Pint Night” themed evening featuring a headlining performance by Martin Sexton as well as $3 pint specials from a variety of renowned craft breweries, the silent disco tent, and food and merchandise vending areas.

The second day of the festival on Saturday, August 27, will feature an expanded festival experience from 4-10 p.m. with over 50 breweries and 200+ flavors of beer, cider, mead and wine, live music from Rebirth Brass Band, Barrage, Euforquestra, Ella Riot, That 1 Guy, Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums and several more acts, plus $1 tasting tokens for 7-oz sample pours (a commemorative festival cup and 5 tokens are included with admission), a variety of local food vendors and brew-friendly pub grub, an MSU Extensions Educational Tent featuring workshops on beer-related topics, the festival’s popular Hop ‘N Brew tasting shack, the silent disco tent and special partner activities and events.

All in all, this is a fantastic celebration of Michigan's microbrew culture that you will certainly enjoy and our Absolute Michigan passes will let you enjoy it to the fullest. Check Porterhouse Productions for ticket information and check below to enter the giveaway and for a video!

To be eligible for a pair of passes for Friday AND Saturday night to the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Here's the Rebirth Brass Band in New Orleans - see them in Michigan next Saturday! Also be sure to check out this cool video of the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars at last year's festival!

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The lineup of artists is truly impressive. The festival is headlined by one of the most highly awarded ensembles ever assembled, Mountain Heart, and other national performers include Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack (Rita won winner of Best Country Album in the 2010 Independent Music Awards), Israeli musician Guy Mendilow, The Pines (David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey), blues artist Ray Bonneville and Minneapolis based Alison Scott. The festival also features great Michigan acts like The Ragbirds, Detroit-based Sista Otis, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, Black River John and the Red Sea Pedestrians.

The festival takes place at the Winter Sports Complex located within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Temporary, canopy covered, stages are set up at the base of the hill, forming a natural amphitheater perfect for blankets and lawn chairs. Attendance is limited and there's not a bad seat to be found. In addition to great music, workshops take place on the event grounds and also inside the 20,000 square foot ski chalet. The restaurant located inside the ski chalet offers a varied menu and will be open throughout the event.  All in all, it's a beautiful, up-close and intimate setting that's family friendly and perfect for unwinding after a busy summer!

To help you unwind, Absolute Michigan has a pair of weekend passes to the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival . To enter, and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

You should definitely check out this slideshow from Porkies Fest 2009, but here's the Ragbirds at the festival with one of my favorite musicians, That 1 Guy, sitting in!

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This summer Absolute Michigan interviewed Ragbirds front woman Erin Zindel about Electric Forest. She told us, "The heart of Hoxeyville is a community of musicians who are there every year. Many are from Michigan, and it's wonderful to have so many talented people in one place. I love the bands they choose and the size of the festival. It's well managed and a has a great vibe!"

Erin is dead on and you can see some of the best and brightest talent from around our beautiful state including The Ragbirds, Breathe Owl Breathe, The Macpodz, Ella Riot, Airborne or Aquatic, Seth & May, The Crane Wives and many more!

It's more than just music - Hoxeyville is held on 85 acres of northern Michigan farmland and hardwood forest that gets you feeling like you're away from it all. So you don't feel too far out there, they have a swimming pool, showers, plug-ins, dump station and wireless Internet. The festival also features a disc golf course with a glow course, VIP and quiet camping options, a vendor village and a beer tent featuring some of the finest brews from the region. To ensure you can enjoy the intimate vibe, attendance is capped at 5000!

Hoxeyville is also a leader among green festivals and offers incentives for "green acts" and was able to compost more than 70% of the waste produced, use biodegradable cups & plates and even to reduce its carbon footprint by powering its stages and productions using biodiesel generators!

All this can be yours with a pair of free weekend passes that include camping - enter below and read on for a highlight from Hoxeyville 2010!

Susan K won the pair of passes to Hoxeyville. She says that a few of her favorite Michigan festivals are Rothbury, Electric Forest Festival, the Buckley Steam Show and very appropriately the Hoxeyville Music Fest! Some of her favorite bands are The Red Sea Pedestrians and three acts who will be at Hoxeyville: Greensky Bluegrass, Seth & May, and Steppin' In It!

To be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

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Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, 2010 by KatSwinehart

The 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival takes place Saturday, August 20th from 3-10 PM on the beautiful front lawn at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, rain or shine. It's Michigan’s premier celebration of wine, art, food and music, offering an incredible opportunity to taste wines from 24 wineries as you dance, dine, and see extraordinary performers, art and artists.

The wines & wineries are the heart of the festival and the large wine tent is dedicated to featuring well over 100 wines from the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and - for the first time - Benzie County. Attendees can choose a tasting or full-glass pour and have a chance to talk with the winemakers and winery reps to learn more about the wines. The 2010 vintage is spectacular, and this is a fantastic opportunity to try the riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot blanc, cabernet franc and a host of other varieties that are making a lot of noise at wine competitions around the country!

The festival also features a great lineup with some of Michigan's finest musicians. Michigan jazz/folk great Claudia Schmidt kicks things off  and then joins Rachel Davis and Shout Sister Shout. It will be the first time Claudia and Shout Sister Shout have taken the stage together, an event that promises to be one of those "better not miss it" nights. Steppin' In It goes electric and will keep you dancing into the evening. There's also a wide range of performances including dancers, performance artists and the Sweet Adelines.

In addition to a wide selection of art for show & sale and gourmet food from many of the region's finest restaurants for purchase, there's even a chance for YOU to get into the act with "Fashion Is Art". This new feature that invites you to don your most innovative attire for a chance to win the Grand Prize, a spa weekend for two at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. Get tickets & lodging package information at traversecitywinefestival.com and check their Facebook for a ticket deal that ends TODAY.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Here's Shout Sister Shout for your listening pleasure!

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Super Dre @ Electric Forest Festival 2011 for Absolute Michigan from andrea claire maio on Vimeo.

Director: Andrea Maio
Camera: Sarah Kuschells and Andrea Maio
Production Assistant: Erik Peterson
Editor: Andrea Maio

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The Farmfest venue is located on a 100+-year-old 40-acre homestead farm a short distance east of the small rural town of Johannesburg that has been transformed into a beautiful northern Michigan festival site. A natural amphitheater serves the main stage and festival organizers say it has the best sound on the planet! Walk the labyrinth, set up your chairs and blankets or hang a hammock from the trees. The second stage is a magical place in the woods, and it's an open stage, allowing you to sign up and play. There's also a fire circle where jam sessions, workshops and story telling take place and deep in the woods, you'll find the drum kiva.

Most folks who attend camp either in the meadow or in the woods, and there's space for RVs too and places to stay in the area. The kids doesn't have any video games, but there's all kinds of activities including talent show, sand castles, playground equipment, face painting, crafts, open mic-less stage, instrument making, big hay bale climbing and much much more. We have a pair of tickets for you - enter your email on our list to be eligible using the form below!

To enter to win a pair of weekend passes for FarmFest and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

I found a ton of great videos from billwaynebo1. I settled on Drew Nelson with Michigan harmonic legend Peter "Madcat" Ruth. Also check out Seth & May (and Mad Cat, Drew Nelson, Stacy Jo and many others) showing the community inherent in this great festival on Don't Worry, Be Happy, Baby You're a Power from Seth & May, and the Madcat & Kane Trio doing People Get Ready.

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Black Jake and the Carnies
by Roots Jamboree

The Michigan Roots Jamboree is a two-day outdoor music and art festival in beautiful Riverside Park in Ypsilanti that takes place Friday & Saturday, August 5 & 6 and features 25 bands from rock to bluegrass to jazz and funk. It's an exciting, family-friendly camping event that is sponsored by the Depot Town Community Development Corporation. All proceeds from this non-profit event go to support support projects aimed at improving the quality of life in Ypsilanti, and Absolute Michigan has a pair of weekend camping passes coming for one lucky winner! (enter below)

Live Art by Roots Jamboree

The Jamboree showcases the finest talent the midwest has to offer including Ella Riot (formerly My Dear Disco), NOMO, Steppin' In It, The Werks, Frontier Ruckus, Hoots & Hellmouth, Theo Katzman & Love Massive, Dragon Wagon, Graham Parsons and the Go Rounds, The Floorwalkers and more. Click here for the full schedule. A unique feature is that each band will be accompanied by a live artist on a side stage, and there will be a silent auction for the artists’ work at the festival so that you can take home and cherish your favorite moments forever with an original piece by a Michigan artist!

The festival will once again offer overnight tent camping on both Friday & Saturday at Frog Island Park. After a fun day of great music, food, and activities, you can sleep out under the stars and experience the only urban camping adventure in Ypsilanti. Within the secure camping area, there will be music, food, and plenty of fun on both Friday and Saturday night. Purchase your tickets early because space is limited!

The Jamboree - 2009 by Roots Jamboree

In addition to the music, you can get a taste of the area’s greatest food, including vegetarian options & choose from a variety of both locally and nationally brewed beers. You will also be able to browse the wares of some of Washtenaw County’s most talented artisans. Don’t forget that children under 12 get in free to the Jamboree, and there's a kids’ tent with a variety of games and activities for your little music lovers.

As promised, we'll be giving away a pair of tickets to the Michigan Roots Jamboree. All you need to do to be eligible for this and every one of the Festival Summer giveaways is to have your address on our email list - add it below!

Here's Ella Riot aka My Dear Disco showcasing their incredible live energy!

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Dunegrass 2010 by Sarah Moore Kuschell

Held every year the the beginning of August in Northern Michigan, the Dunegrass Music Festival features the best local, regional and national touring acts.

2011 headliners include Donna The Buffalo, Ella Riot (formerly My Dear Disco), The Ragbirds, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Ralston Bowles, Grasshoppah, Rootstand, The Journeyman, Delilah Dewylde & the Lost Boys, Luke Winslow-King, Detour Bluegrass and many others. Click here for the complete schedule and definitely go to their website to listen to all the great bands. Most are from right here in Michigan and the musical range the festival offers means there's something for everyone!

Dunegrass has a new location this year on 100 acres near Lake Ann that offers wooded camping, something that's great after a late night jam session around the bonfire after the shows! One nice twist is free admission for 12 & under (accompanied by an adult) and the fact that tickets for kids 13-17 are just $30. There's also the Rootenanny Beer Garden, fine food, arts & crafts, kids area, free shuttle to beaches, music/arts workshops and much more.

Absolute Michigan has a pair of weekend passes to Dunegrass ($150 value), and to be entered for those and in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

It's hard to choose between all the great acts that are there, but here's Donna the Buffalo!

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Superman by sullivan06

OK, so jumping out of your chair at work and dancing? That's not gonna help.

1. The office does offer a strategy though. With highs today in most of Michigan into the upper 90s and a chance of topping 100 on Thursday, air conditioners are one of your best friends. FOX-17 offers some tips for maximizing their effectiveness including drawing the blinds so they don't have to work as hard. If your workplace has A/C, today is probably a good day to work late.

2. Fortunately, Michigan has its own A/C in the form of 300+ named rivers, over 11,000 lakes (take THAT Minnesota) and the big ones: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and the best lake for a day like today, mighty (cold) Lake Superior. The water temperature in Superior by Marquette today is in the 60s - maybe it's time for a trip to the U.P.! Even if you can't make it, Michigan boasts tons of parks with water access, so cut out to the beach or float down a river today. Sunscreen is of course, a must.

Smile + Flow by Ralph Krawczyk Jr

3. Speaking of water, the Freep reminds us to drink lots of water in a cool feature that includes photos of how some Metro Detroiters are beating the heat. Water can get a little old after the 10th glass, so try one of my favorites - make a batch of lemonade and add some Michigan tart cherry concentrate for a tart & refreshing drink!

4. Have you felt guilty for not taking advantage of Michigan's incredible variety of museums & libraries? This week is a perfect time to take some time to explore with family & friends. Pure Michigan has a nice list of Michigan museums and you can get lots more art museums and historical museums & libraries from Absolute Michigan!

5. At the end of the day, it's almost impossible to avoid the heat on a day like today. A good piece of advice is remember February and revel in it!

Let us know other ideas to beat the heat in Michigan in the comments, and if anyone out there has a heat-beating product, tell us about it below.  If you want, email me and we'll give it away to our email list!

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The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (OMP) and Porterhouse Productions present the second annual Paella In The Park, a summer music & culinary event in the heart of downtown Traverse City.

Traverse City’s bayside Clinch Park grounds will transform into a swingin’ festival! This year’s lineup features national headliner Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, an energetic and exciting band who have been getting audiences up and dancing for 20 years. Rolling Stone declared them the “leaders” of the swing revival are going back to their ska roots with a danceable and entertaining show. They're joined by Groupo Ayé, a 10-piece Cuban salsa band, and Hoots And Hellmouth, a mix of rockabilly and funk.

This 21+ event (no exceptions, please) will again pair the seven OMP wineries with local chefs. Guests will enjoy Spanish paellas from fresh ingredients cooked over an open fire, right on-site. Paella, a rice-based dish that boasts hundreds of variations using different ingredients, is one of Spain’s most popular food entrees. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to converse with local chefs about the art of making paella, as well as enjoy food and wine at each station.

Sign up for our email list below for a chance at 2 tickets and order your limited tickets at Porterhouse Productions.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to Paella in the Park and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

Now here's the Cherry Poppin' Daddies playing one of their hits - Zoot Suit Riot. You can get many more in this YouTube playlist!

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The festival also offers a rich variety of experiences including workshops with offerings ranging from hands-on musical instruction to meet-the-artist sessions with mainstage performers. There are also special areas for children and teens with organized activities and performances designed for those age groups.

To be eligible for 2 free passes to the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival and to be entered in every one of the Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below! While camping is available at Hiawatha, it's not included in our giveaway! You can purchase camping separately!

You can check out some videos of onstage performances by The Ragbirds and Feufollet, but we'll instead share with you one of the coolest things about Hiawatha, a video of a few pickers laying down Granddad's Favorite, an Ernie Carpenter tune.

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More than 30 local restaurants and chefs will offer mouth-watering ethnic items, family favorites, exotic dishes, and local specialties. Enjoy almost 200 items ranging from savory offerings like crab rangoon, shrimp etouffee, sushi and sashimi, prime rib, sunset scampi, beef satay, coconut shrimp, chicken curry and jambalya to desserts including bananas foster, tiramisu, strawberry shortcake, baklava, cannoli, and turtle torte. Vegetarians aren't left wanting either and there are a wide variety of beer, wine and other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy.

There's also live music from bands including the Macpodz, Matt Giraud and Edgar Winter along with all kinds of family fun including ice sculpting, grill-offs and the Greatest Kazoo Duck Race!

Our giveaway includes 2 free entry passes and $10 in tasting tickets and all it takes to enter it (and all our other giveaways) is to be on our email list - use the box below!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great state called Michigan that we love!

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The Macpodz don't care how old you are. They just want you to have a good time. Absolute Michigan caught up with Macpodz bassist Brennan Andes a couple weeks ago on Father's Day, which was an appropriate coincidence seeing as Brennan is the proud dad to a beautiful two-year old girl named Sarie. In the lead-up to their performance at the Electric Forest Festival, which starts this Thursday, Brennan told us how introducing Sarie to Bob Weir was one of his biggest thrills and how his little girl has influenced his music.

He also told us why, if you are heading to Electric Forest this weekend, you shouldn't miss the Macpodz, no matter how old you are.

The Macpodz by Detroit Chris

It's Father's Day today. Mean anything special to you?

Well it is a special day for all the fathers out there. I have one daughter who is two. Sarie. And I introduced her to Bob Weir at Rothbury when she was six months old. We met Bob when he was crossing back to the main stage and I said, "Hey Bob Weir. What's going on? Meet my daughter."

He said, "Welcome to the world little girl." ...and then I thanked him for being a bad ass.

To stick with the Dead for a second, you went to your first Dead show at the age of five?

I did. My first Dead show was when I was five when my dad took me. It was when I figured out what Santa does in his past time. I remember being at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin and there were all these golf balls rolling down towards the stage. I chased them down right by the stage and I have a very vivid memory of looking up and seeing Jerry, who looked just like Santa. But I also remember feeling very safe at that show. There was a great family vibe and now that I am a father, I want that to be a part what I do as a musician.

the macpodz (4) by ampstyle

The Macpodz seem like a perfect fit for the festival scene and you guys play a lot of them. Are there any differences between a festival in Michigan and others around the country?

We are extremely connected to the people here. Being in the Midwest, it feels like you are part of a unified front. Around here, it seems like everyone is family and the business aspect of the festival scene is intertwined with that. Electric Forest is the biggest festival we are playing this year. We have more notoriety in our home state and we are avid about getting a slice of the pie from the out of state cats. We fought hard to get on the bill here in the past and we delivered what we said we'd deliver.

We brought a nice sized audience for a noon show that showed that we are part of the musical community here.

So you've got good memories of playing this venue?

It was amazing. World class. The first year we did it I remember playing through 40-foot subwoofers stacked on the stage. It was like a Metallica stage set up. It was like driving a big rig. An awesome 18-wheeler, rock and roll machine. I love all styles of music but I really resonate with getting on a big stage and getting those 40-foot stacks to sing. There is much to be said about working with 40,000 watts of power. As a musician, you are in control of those frequencies for next 90 minutes on planet earth.

After Electric Forest, what does the future hold for The Macpodz?

We are releasing a 3D music video! We are making fun of ourselves throughout the whole thing. It is for a song called The Truth. First we are releasing the song, then we are following it up with a music video and then an EP and then an LP. The Truth is the flagship song. We play a bunch of different styles and feel The Truth is one that can represent us to a wide audience. It's a weird pop song.

The Macpodz will be releasing new material this fall for the first time since 2008. Check out www.themacpodz.com for new music and tour info.

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The first annual Charlevoix Up North Fourth takes place next Saturday (July 2) and benefits efforts to help "Charlevoix the Beautiful" stay beautiful. It's an authentic Northern Michigan backyard picnic experience on a grand scale featuring live music, beers from the good humans at Short's Brewing (yum), ribs, pulled pork, potato salad, whitefish tacos, vegetarian options - all in a family friendly setting (so friendly that 5 & Under are FREE!). Absolute Michigan has a pair of passes through Festival Summer to get you celebrating in style - scroll down for entry!

Music at Odmark Performance Pavilion will feature Euforquestra & Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys. Delilah and the boys are from Grand Rapids and throw down Americana rockabilly tunes with a very cool vintage vibe that makes their live shows an absolute scream. You can watch this video from Euforquestra, but we're going to have to give the nod to one of the fanciest bits of bass playing we've ever seen from Delilah DeWylde! (entry form below the video!)

Our winner has been notified! - to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below! psst: a huge package that includes other Porterhouse events is right here!

All summer long Absolute Michigan will be partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great State called Michigan that we love!

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As a winner of the Festival Summer, I would chronicle the events on both my personal and company Facebook pages and blog. As the owner of a design firm (Tandem) and one-time music publication creator, I have an eye (and the camera) for good photography and can create well-written and compelling copy.

Would be stoked to win and would do the contest justice in quality coverage!

OK Eric, bring it!! And thanks everyone for your entries!

Absolute Michigan wants you!

In addition to rocking the giveaways all summer long through Festival Summer, a number of our event partners are going the extra mile to provide one lucky winner with 2 FREE passes to every one of the 11 fantastic Michigan festivals listed below!

Michigan's many festivals and events continue to be a bright light, celebrating what makes Michigan a place we all love.

Because these events are going the extra mile, we sought someone (or a group of someones) who would go the extra mile to share the fun of Festival Summer.

Our team of reviewers will look the emails we've received over and choose a winner, so be creative! If you want, feel free to post your entry or your thoughts on the Absolute Michigan Facebook page.

In addition to sending us an email (or two) telling us what you're going to do, you need to be on our email list. This will also enter you in every giveaway we do.

Here are the events included in the package!

• Thunder Over Michigan - July 23 & 24
• Maker Faire Detroit - July 30 & 31
• Paella In The Park - August 5
• Dunegrass Music Festival - August 5-7
• Farmfest - August 11-14
• Traverse City Wine & Art Festival - August 20
• Hoxeyville Music Festival - August 19 & 20
• Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival - August 26 & 27
• Porcupine Mountain Music Festival - August 26-28
• Crystal Mountain's Taste of Michigan - September 3
• Midwest Fest 2011 - September 28-October 1
• ...and Absolute Michigan reserves the right to add prizes.

Check Festival Summer for information and all these and many more great events.  As you can see, some of the events are over the same weekend, so you better share it with your friends so you have someone to take any extra tickets! And remember, even if you don't win the big prize, you're still eligible for every one of our giveaways. And because we want to stay connected, you are eligible to win more than once.

Questions? Post them or email them and we'll post answers below.

Q&A

Do I have to go to all the festivals?

No. Some of them are on the same day, and while our team of Michigan experts assures us that someone could attend and enjoy all events, that's a lot to expect. Share your good fortune with someone who will report for you.

Can more than one person enter?

You may enlist and propose the support of a team, company, nonprofit, friends, family and robots. We will give the tickets to a single person though.

What are you looking for?

Absolute Michigan is all about getting the most out of Michigan. We're hoping you'll get out there and enjoy these great events, and that you'll share them with our readers and the world at large. These events are cool because Michigan is cool.

What we're asking for is that you share your experience. Be it photos, video, observations, tweets, updates, artwork or whatever you think tells it best. It doesn't have to be wall to wall coverage and it doesn't have to be flashy.

In addition to sending us an email (or two) telling us what you're going to do, you need to be on our email list. This will also enter you in every giveaway we do.

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Common Ground Festival by M.Hallowell

Common Ground is an annual celebration along the banks of the Grand River in Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing. Now in its 12th year, the festival draws over 80,000 people across 7 nights and has showcased over 300 artists including 36 Grammy Award winners and 21 Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

The festival features an amazing slate of musical acts with a focus on top-level, national, contemporary music performers and some of the best regional musicians backed by state-of-the-art production. Add a variety of family entertainment and an assortment of food vendors and you can see why one of the Capital City's summer highlights. Day passes are available and they also offer a 7-Day Pass that can be shared with family or friends from day to day. At (currently) 7 nights for $79 it's a heck of a deal! Read on below the giveaway for featured performers, links to more information and a great video!

To enter to win a pair of passes to your choice of night at Common Ground and to be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

All summer long Absolute Michigan will be partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great State called Michigan that we love!

Sammy Hagar by M.Hallowell

Featured Performers

• Monday, July 11: Trey Songz, Peter Rivera The Original Singer/Drummer Of Rare Earth
• Tuesday, July 12: Rick Springfield, Burton Cummings, The Verve Pipe
• Wednesday, July 13: Charlie Daniels Band, Aaron Lewis Of Staind, David Nail
• Thursday, July 14: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Duke Tumatoe
• Friday, July 15: Theory Of A Deadman, Black Stone Cherry
• Saturday, July 16: LL Cool J
• Sunday, July 17: Melissa Etheridge, Hot Chelle Rae, Locksley Sunday, Larry McCray

Head over to the Common Ground Green Room for some great photos from years past and a chance to listen to the musicians who'll be at Common Ground in July!

Here's an interview with Scott Keith, President and CEO of Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities where he talks about Lugnuts games, Common Ground and summer fun in Lansing. Common Ground has some great Michigan acts including The Verve Pipe and Larry McCray. We'll close with a cool video of Larry performing Soulshine in Saginaw!

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Mike Devol of Greensky Bluegrass by Andrew Bender Photography

Absolute Michigan sat down with Greensky Bluegrass bassist Mike Devol (pictured left) the other day. Like us, they are gearing up for the first ever Electric Forest that runs June 30 through July 3. Since forming in Kalamazoo in 2000, Greensky Bluegrass has become one of Michigan's biggest musical exports. In addition to winning the 2006 band competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and touring the nation, the band will also be performing at both Bonnaroo and Bumbershoot this summer. It doesn't get much bigger than that.

Mike told us what makes Michigan such a special place to be a musician, how the Electric Forest venue inspired one of Greensky's best sets and how they will celebrate the summer by releasing a new album towards the end of it. Greensky Bluegrass is not your traditional bluegrass band. They cover Prince, they plug in and they are getting ready to go off at Electric Forest.

Greensky Bluegrass by Andrew Bender Photography

Has Greensky Bluegrass played the Electric Forest venue before and are you and the guys looking forward to this year's festival?

We played Rothbury in 2008 and we played one of my favorite sets of all time. We opened the festival that year and we were playing just as people were arriving. It was epic. It was one of those perfect days where the audience is just getting to the festival and everyone is stoked to be there. I think there was something like 7,000 people watching our set. We were a Michigan band playing in Michigan at the inaugural festival. We are excited that Rothbury in some form is back. We are stoked it is happening again. It is a huge festival.

The lineup has a lot of electronic music that is really popular. The music will be an interesting blend. There are five or six bluegrass bands playing and I can picture it late one night with techno beats in the distance, someone will stumble upon a bunch of bluegrass musicians picking in a field.

Untitled by five6four

You guys are playing Bonnaroo and Bumbershoot in Seattle this year and you've played the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. All of those are huge festivals. How does the Michigan summer festival scene compare to the more nationally known festivals?

First off, we are super stoked to be playing at those big ones you mentioned. As far as Michigan goes, I think Electric Forest is going to be the biggest. There aren't too many in Michigan but there are some really good ones. We play the Hoxeyville Music Festival in Cadillac every year.

That is a really fun one for us. We spend almost every weekend during the summer at a festival but Hoxeyville is great because all of our friends are there.

There are a lot of great Michigan festivals for our genre. Blissfest, Dunegrass and Wheatland to name a few. I know Wheatland is like Christmas for some people. I know people who have been going to that for 30 years.

Greensky Bluegrass by five6four

Michigan seems to be a good place to play traditional American music like bluegrass with a very receptive and appreciative audience perhaps more so than other states? Why do you think that is?

Bluegrass is really popular in places with mountains and a lot of nature. There are no mountains here but there is a lot of nature. I discovered bluegrass after I moved to Michigan when I was 19. I came into bluegrass through the jam band side of things and I was really impressed by the kind of talent coming out of Michigan.

There is a lot of ridiculous talent here with Steppin' In It, Seth and May and the whole Earthwork crew in Big Rapids. Musicians really come together in Michigan as friends and partners making the bluegrass genre grow in strength and presence. There are a lot of great Michigan musicians and a lot of people have really embraced it here.

I also think Michigan has more of a sense of state pride than a lot of other places and that crosses over into music. People in Michigan are stoked to be from Michigan. Michiganders live all over the country and when we travel to other places, I think a lot of them come out just because we are from Michigan. And that's been a big help for us in a lot of cities.

Greensky by Hoxeyville Music Festival

Do you play a different set list in a venue like Electric Forest?

Our set list is always different. In fact, I don't think we've ever played the same set list twice. We have a pool of songs that include tons of bluegrass, our originals and a cover repertoire that has been Greensky- ified. Bluegrass is like jazz and we want to mix it up. We have a fan base that sees us a lot.

At a bluegrass festival we aren't the traditional bluegrass band. We'll play Prince covers instead of songs about the hills of Carolina. There was a time when we tried to cater to our audience but we've come to a point quite where we are just going to do what we do. We used to worry is we were too jammy or too contemporary. But now we just play our songs our way. There is no point in misrepresenting ourselves.

Greensky Bluegrass, with an assist from Bill Kreutzmann, at Hoxeyville 2010 by gloriousnoise

You mentioned that Bluegrass is like jazz. How big a role does improvisation play in a Greensky Bluegrass set?

We have a number of songs that at some point open themselves up to being totally improvisational. Sometimes there is a framework and we all know where it is going. It usually starts the same way and will revolve around a greater pattern. There are songs that we play for like 16 minutes and that's like a pretty good chunk of a set.

There are other songs we put together that will open up and lead into another song. Within that framework we have to arrive at this texture on a certain chord to find our way to the next song. Sometimes though, it is totally unmapped and unpredictable. Sometimes we crash and burn. Sometimes we do things that are cooler than anything else we've ever done by tuning into each other and really playing together. Those are my favorite moments.

What else is coming up for Greensky Bluegrass?

We recorded a new album in January. We recorded it in Lansing over about 100 hours in eight days. It is called Handguns and we are stoked about it. It is slated to come out late summer and we can't wait to share it with everyone. We are really proud of the new songs.

Greensky Bluegrass appears Thursday, June 30 at 9:15 at Electric Forest. Visit their web site for all kinds of information and "Radio Greensky." Below is a video from their 2009 appearance at Rothbury, see some HD videos on their YouTube channel. Don't miss this video video of Absolute Michigan friends May Erlewine & Seth Bernard sitting in with Greensky Bluegrass for Down in the Valley - an instant classic!

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The annual Muskegon Summer Celebration takes place June 30 through July 9. It's an all star music extravaganza with headliners including West Michigan's own Pop Evil and Black Stone Cherry (July 1), Sugar Ray and Night Ranger (July 2), Theory of a Deadman and Skillet (July 3), Hotel California, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Artie Dean Harris (July 4), Charlie Daniels Band and Aaron Lewis (July 6), The Goo Goo Dolls, Michelle Branch and Parachute (July 7), Cinderella and Jackyl (July and Trey Songz and Hot Chelle Rae (July 9).

The festival draws more than 600,000 people to Muskegon across 11 days with over 30 acts including many local & regional bands. In addition to great music, there's plenty of family fun for all ages including art and other vendors, fireworks and a carnival midway. On the 4th of July, the festival will be offering a special combination package for unlimited carnival rides from open to close AND free admission into the evening's concert that night for only $15 per person.

Because decisions are hard, we have a pair of 8 day passes to the festivalso you don't have to choose! Enter to win below and also check out a video from Pop Evil.

The winner of a pair of passes to the Summer Celebration (midway not included) has been notified! To be entered in every one of our Festival Summer giveaways, just join our email list using the form below!

All summer long Absolute Michigan will be partnering with some of Michigan's most amazing festivals & events to give our readers FREE tickets and a chance to enjoy the food, music and celebration that is part of summertime in the Great Lakes State!

Absolute Michigan will not share your email address with anyone. Period. Your inbox is safe with us. What we will share with you is a periodic but usually no more than weekly update, possibly including a special offer, potentially a prize or giveaway and definitely some great news about what is working and fun to do in the Great State called Michigan that we love!

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"This is evidence of the very best of what independent contemporary pop music has to offer"
-Thom Jurek, All Music (AMG)

Erin Zindle of the Ragbirds

Heady praise indeed for The Ragbirds, an Ann Arbor based quintet who has been drawing attention across the nation and even the world after the international release of "Finally Almost Ready" in 2009 peaked with the single "Book of Matches" reaching #1 on the charts in Osaka, Japan. Recently The Ragbirds reached another when they independently marketed and sold their 10,000th album. We talked with front-woman and co-founder Erin Zindle about what the band has been up to and how they do what they do.

What have you been up to lately?

In addition to touring, we're spending time in the studio recording a new album right now that we'll be releasing in September. We'll be working on it right up to Electric Forest and will be playing some of the cool new songs at the festival.

You have a very unique sound, can you tell me about how that evolved?

I started listening to world music when I was a teenager - Paul Simon, Rusted Root, Peter Gabriel - and that prompted me to dive into indigenous music like gypsy, celtic, African and others. As my songwriting has developed,  these songs have found their way into our music.

Tell me a little about Cecelia.

Cecelia is our tour bus, after the Patron Saint of Music. We were touring like crazy in 2008, and all of us care a lot about the environment. We looked into several alternative fuel sources, and finally settled on a diesel van that we converted to burn vegetable oil and added extra heated tanks to. It still runs on diesel, but we can also pump the dirty oil from restaurant fryers. We have been able to do about 90% of our traveling (100,000 miles since we converted) on this very low carbon and generally free fuel. Beyond doing something good for the planet, it's also helped to give us something to talk with folks about and opened up dialog.

Speaking of the road & touring, you do over 150 shows per year. How does that affect you as a musician?

Even though most musicians tend to be the opposite, I'm actually really inspired on the road. You meet so many new people, wake up in a different place - there's a certain excitement and adventure. The place where I find the most joy is onstage and seeing people respond to the music. Plus, I'm generally a pretty shy person, so it's a great icebreaker.

Ragbirds at Rothbury 2009 by Backstage Gallery

What are some of your favorite Michigan festivals & venues?

We really loved playing at at Rothbury in 2009 and are looking forward to returning for Electric Forest. There's a lot of really sweet spots in Michigan. We're lucky to have a lot of great festivals. One of my favorite venues is the new room at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, and of course we love playing at the Ark in our hometown.

Are there any bands you're particularly excited to hear it Electric Forest?

There's a lot of them: Edward Sharpe, Railroad Earth and others. That 1 Guy sat in with us a while back and is really talented.

You can catch The Ragbirds at Electric Forest and check out lots of their videos on their YouTube channel. One of our favorites is with Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth. Tim's in the photo above and will be at Electric Forest as well!

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