view archived features Still got the Spirit... Spirit of the Woods Folk Fest keeps it real
If you like your folk festivals with an old-timey, country feel, you can’t go far wrong with the 28th annual Spirit of the Woods this Saturday, June 18 in the tiny village of Brethren. Since 1978, this festival in northern Manistee County has been distinguished by its down-home, organic vibe, drawing lovers of folk, acoustic and old-time string music from hundreds of miles. But, given its location, the Spirit of the Woods is also something of an obscure event. Driving south from Traverse City, the town of Brethren seems to be the quintessential “middle of nowhere” -- you definitely need a map to find it, if not one of those newfangled satellite locator systems. Once there, however, you’ll find a pleasant township park setting, perfect for your lawn chair and cooler, along with a crafts show, food, kid stuff, friendly folks, and a festival-ending Cajun dance. There’s no charge, but donations are appreciated.
This year’s lineup features: • Annie Gallup, “a teller of short, elaborate tales -- song-length works of fiction that sparkle with the complexity and polish of poetry.” • K Jones and the Benzie Playboyz, “one of the state’s more popular ‘roots’ bands -- combining a love for the Cajun and Zydeco music of Southwest Louisiana, with a healthy dose of Northern Michigan rock and blues.” • Madison Greene, “aggressive Acoustic with Celtic, Cuban and African Undertones.” • Company of Strangers, “bluegrass, Celtic, folk rock and four part harmonies.” • Jody Gaskin, “a hybrid fusion style of music that blends Native American rhythms and vocal styles with modern instrumentation.” • Jen Sygit, “bluesy, jazzy, folky at its best... rich reflective, upbeat music.” • Kinsfolk, “a family and friends folk band that seeks to preserve and promote America’s diverse musical heritage.” • Jim Crockett and New 3rd Coast, “the hardest working band in Northern Michigan appearing with regional folk legend.” The festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a Cajun Dance featuring K. Jones & the Benzie Playboyz beginning at 8 p.m. Dickson Township Park is smack in the middle of Brethren, and there’s a pleasant strawberry farm just north of town if you feel like doing a little “pickin’” of your own.
A Brief History (Courtesy of www.spiritofthewoods.org)
Back in 1978 some folk music lovers, spurred on by the success of barn dances and music potlucks in the area, decided to organize a little festival. The first Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival was held on June 17, 1978, in Brethren. It was a free event and featured Iowa Rose, Flatpicker’s Local 169, Argo Pond, Dekalb, Dan Gellert, the Flatland Ramblers, Quality Quinn and the Lost World String Band. We had a great day and we’ll never forget crowding in under the gazebo and watching the Lost World String Band through a curtain of water as they bravely played on under the covered stage. What a beginning. The second festival was also at Brethren and featured Joel Mabus, Kitty Donahue, the Roustabout String Band, Gemini, and more. After that, the festival moved to the Onekama Fairgrounds for eight good years. By 1987, the annual festival was a solid success, but burnout had set in. Budgets, crowds, ticket prices and planning had taken its toll. Not to be undaunted, and true to our credo (we’re only in it for the fun), a bold idea was proposed: let’s bring the festival back to Brethren and quit charging admission! Back to basics. Back to the park. Not as many hassles. And it worked. We’re still at the park, years later.
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