And Now For Something a Little Different: Blissfest’s Winter Concert Series Goes Local

March 22, 2015

WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT: The Cabin Fever Review is a unique twist on Blissfest’s concerts lineup – these performers are all local talent. "March 28 is the beginning of spring break season, when much of the population escapes winter for a week," explained Blissfest’s guru Jim Gillespie. "The rest of us need to keep the faith and keep on living the northern Michigan dream! So, even in the dead of winter, we endeavor to provide a show for those who stick around."

WHO’S BEHIND IT: Blissfest. The same folks that bring you the Blissfest Music Festival every summer also run a winter concert series that’s known for bringing great national acts to Petoskey. Bliss is a major supporter of local talent, so when better to showcase that than during a time of year that really needs a boost?

WHO WILL BE THERE: Gillespie said he considers this a unique opportunity to showcase local performers. "Many of these artists have literally grown up at Blissfest," he said. "Now, they’ve become musicians in their own right, and there’s a neat level of camaraderie among them." Among the local performers will be singer-songwriter Michelle Chenard, alt-rockers Stereo Artifacts and Traverse City native Dede Alder and her band, Dede and the Dreamers. This lineup of artists is also set to perform on the new Michigan Stage at this year’s 35th Annual Blissfest July 10-12.

WHERE IT IS: "The Crooked Tree Arts Center theater [in Petoskey] is one of the most intimate listening rooms in the north," Gillespie said. "Many of our local entertainers are playing in the bars and lounges here, but don’t often get the opportunity to play to a sit-down, listening crowd. This is that opportunity."

MORE BLISSFUL FUN: In addition to Cabin Fever, Blissfest and above is also photo sponsoring taken at Traverse the new City Ukes Cover Whiskey For You Co. ukulele by Michael club Poehlman at the Red Photography. Sky Stage in Petoskey, as well as community programs like Harbor Springs’ upcoming summertime Street Musique events. This year’s Winter Concert Series will wrap up on April 18 with Grammy Award-winning gypsy jazz guitar player John Jorgenson, also at Crooked Tree. And, of course, there’s the 2015 Blissfest to look forward to – this year with performances from Arlo Guthrie, The Fibulators, Ages and Ages, That One Guy, Steve Poltz, The Way Back Wanderers, Ignorant Mob, Slim Gypsy Baggage and The Go-Rounds, plus local acts like Kirby, the Pistil Whips and Ron Fowler. "All of these events help to make northern Michigan a great place to live and visit," Gillespie said. "We’ll continue to watch the next generation of artists grow."

Blissfest’s Cabin Fever Review is held March 28 at 7pm at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, as part of the Blissfest Winter Concert Series. Tickets – $10 for adults, $8 for members and $5 for college students – are available at CTAC, the Grain Train, or by visiting blissfest.org.