Blissfest's Winter Persona

Jan. 1, 2016

While the yearly Blissfest Folk and Roots Music Festival in Bliss, Mich. is more of an “all for one and one for all” kind of event, Blissfest’s Winter Concert Series, much like winter itself, is a little more subdued and focused. The winter shows are capsule forms of what Blissfest presents in the summertime, and attract audiences that correspond to that approach. “Our (winter) audience tends to be more local, and the demographic depends on the particular show,” Blissfest guru Jim Gillespie explained. “Diverse shows attract different groups. For example, when we had the folk-pop band SHEL last season, the audience had lots of teenagers in attendance; but our Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot Show mostly had baby boomers. So it always seems to depend on the acts we present.” The 2016 Winter Concert Series once again will offer up a wide range of performers. We spoke with Gillespie about what the next few months will bring.

Kristi Kates for Northern Express: Jim, when you’re choosing music for these winter shows, what criteria are you looking for that you think will appeal to more of a ‘winter audience’?

Jim Gillespie: We often bring in acts that were a hit at Blissfest, or groups that we are "auditioning" for a possible Blissfest festival slot.

And we do some shows that feature Michigan and emerging local talent. The genres, for the most part, coincide with our mission and what we do at our festival, which is to preserve roots and world music and innovators of these genres. This helps direct our diverse programming so that you can see anything from Blues and Jazz, Celtic, Cajun Bluegrass, Appalachian and everything else under the sun.

Express: For those who have perhaps been to Blissfest but haven’t attended any of your winter shows yet, could you describe for them the ambiance at the Crooked Tree Arts Center theater? What’s it like to attend a show there?

Gillespie: It’s a 200 seat theater that was originally a Methodist church, and it was converted into a theater back when the arts center took over in the late ‘70s. The venue is intimate, since it is a small theater, and we’re conscious of this in our programming. Also, we sometimes have a reception at intermission, and we have been partnering with local restaurants for "A Night on the Town" where concert ticket holders get a discount on meals at local restaurants in Petoskey the night of a show.

Express: Obviously the rewards of Blissfest are bountiful and immediate, since that’s such a big and popular event; but what do you like best about staging the winter series every year?

Gillespie: Well, the winter series allows us to bring back the best of the Blissfest, but present them in a smaller listening venue. And the series also keeps our name and brand out there in the community, and provides the community itself with live entertainment during the slow months.

Express: And finally, I’ve got to ask - which act are you, personally, looking forward to seeing the most out of this winter’s season?

Gillespie: Okay - without sounding too coy, I am going to like all of these acts. I should like them, I pick them! They’re all unique and will appeal to different audiences, but that's what we do. We bring in diverse acts just like we do at the festival. We tell folks that come to the festival that there is something for everyone, and it’s the same with the concert series, so that people can experience Blissfest all year round, even in the winter.

BLISSFEST 2016 WINTER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP:

Jan. 23: Fauxgrass This progressive bluegrass band offers up playful, yet heartfelt, compositions that show off why they’ve been a repeated hit at the summer Blissfest.

Feb. 13: The Way Down Wanderers and The Accidentals Both dynamic folk acts, the first of these is an Americana band from Chicago filled with polish and strong harmonies, the latter a pair of talented teens from Traverse City.

Mar. 5: Téada A special Blissfest/CTAC event, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, titled ReAwakening: 100 Years of Irish Freedom and featuring nine musicians, singers and dancers, plus a catered Irish food and beverage tasting.

Mar. 19: Matuto This unusual, accomplished and appealing blend of Appalachian mountain sounds thrown in a blender with festive Brazilian carnival music is a cross-cultural feast for the ears.

Apr. 16: Blissfest Cabin Fever Review Spring is arriving, which means it’s time to shake off the winter blues with a slate of regional performers in a real concert setting, from the blues poetry of Blake Elliot to the folk-pop of Oh Brother Big Sister and E Minor.

May 7: Heywood Banks A favorite of “The Bob and Tom Show,” this wacky singer-slash-comedian gave a sold-out show at CTAC last year and is back by popular demand.

All shows begin at 8pm. For tickets and more information, visit blissfest.org