Dunegrass resurrection

July 26, 2009

Dunegrass Resurrection
Empire music festival returns to its roots with homegrown sounds

By Kristi Kates 7/27/09
 
The 17th Annual Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Festival has certainly earned its
place in Northern Michigan’s festival lineup even more than usual this
year. After 15 years as a reliable summer event, Dunegrass almost became
extinct due to some questionable management choices; but now, it’s revived
and more focused on great Northern Michigan music than ever before.
And many fans are thrilled to learn that the Dunegrass lives again this
weekend.
 
FOCUSING ON LOCAL
“Dunegrass was founded in Empire, Michigan, by Mike Vanderberg, a Michigan
native, back in 1992,” festival organizer Ryan Lake explains. “It started
out very small, more of a private party; then started to grow into what is
now known as a music festival. Dunegrass has always been focused around
local talent; the festival went on to enjoy a very successful run, growing
steadily with each year and adding bands. Then, after running Dunegrass
for 14 years, Mike passed away. And a new production company took over.”
The new production company was where the trouble began. Less tuned-in to
the Northern Michigan music scene than Vanderberg had been, the new
organizers brought in five stages and filled them with national acts that
were primarily from out of state. The production budget was said to be
around five times more than it had been in the past, “and eventually, that
caught up to the producers,” Lake says.
He also says that there has been much speculation as to why this happened;
but at the end of the day, the bottom line was that many of the musicians
and other help - especially local folks - were not paid.
“The general feeling, I believe, has been that Dunegrass needed to go back
to being a smaller, more local festival, and that’s exactly what we’re
doing,” Lake confirms. “This year, more than 80 percent of the 45 bands
that will be playing are from right here in Michigan. We’ve cut the budget
drastically, and will be showcasing some of the best music that Michigan
has to offer.”

FROM FOLK TO FUNK
Following a philosophy based simply on “good music and dancing,” the
selection of music at this year’s Dunegrass was somewhat dictated by the
community, Lake says, but the decision was ultimately his as the new
festival organizer.
“I’ve traveled and performed with so many wonderful musicians; it’s been a
dream of mine to have them all in one place,” he says. “The roster looks
great this year.”
The Ragbirds are headlining Friday night’s Dunegrass lineup, followed by
U.V. Hippo; Josh Davis and Covert Operations. Saturday night is “going to
be a party,” Lake enthuses, with Porter Batiste Stoltz arriving from New
Orleans to, as Lake says, “give us a lesson in funk.”
“Porter Batiste Stoltz are living legends, yet are still relatively
unknown in many circles,” Lake explains.
Rootstand and the Macpods will also perform on the main stage Saturday,
while Sunday will feature the likes of Luke Winslow-King, Lonesome
Country, Billy Brandt, and a weekend-closing set from My Dear Disco.
In addition to the music, Dunegrass will also offer other entertainment as
well as refreshments.
“People will be able to enjoy some great local food and have a chance to
look at, and hopefully buy, local arts and crafts at Dunegrass,” Lake
says, “there will also be on-site camping, music workshops, and a pickin’
tree in addition to the three stages.”
Lake expects anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 people attending Dunegrass this
year, and has secured around 24 additional acres to make sure there’s
enough camping space - and room to dance - for everyone.
 
The 2009 17th Annual Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Festival takes place Friday,
July 31 through Sunday, August 2, at the Empire Eagles property at 3805
Hwy. M-72 in Empire. Tickets can be bought at Oryana in Traverse City, or
online at www.dunegrass3.org.