Folk Music Society of Midland

WASSUP8 T-shirt information and ordering...

If you are planning on attending WASSUP8 (set up evening of March 13th, festival March 14-15) and you would like to order an event T-shirt, here's what to do...

SHIRTS ARE $20, AND MUST BE PRE-ORDERED AND PRE-PAID BY MARCH 3, 2025! Fill out the attached order form below for the size you need, and then contact Vee LaCosse either by e-mail at veelacosse@gmail.com, or by phone at 989-430-6532 to place your order. Payment options will be provided when you place your order with Vee. ACT NOW because quantities are limited and the very last day to order and pay is March 3rd, 2025!

READ BELOW ORDER FORM, TOO!

Welcome to WASSUP8!

WASSUP8 musical activities commence at Midland Free Methodist Church, 5821 Eastman Ave. in Midland on Saturday morning, March 14th, when the doors on the south side of the church open at 9:30am for registration. Schedules of planned activities will be available at that time.

There are pre-festival opportunities to help “row the boat” still available if you are one of those persons that just wants to help! Final set-up arrangements will be made around 8pm on Friday, March 13th after the church’s aerobics class, and help such as setting up tables and chairs is always welcome!

As of the publishing of this note, there are also needs for two-to-four people to take care of hospitality/kitchen needs during the festival, such as making coffee and having snacks on hand (which the host ukulele group SUGAR will provide), and there is also a need for friendly people to take an hour or so to sit at the registration table to welcome incoming attendees and pass out schedules.

The two ways that help SUGAR to offset some of the expenses involved in putting on this festival is via a silent auction, which is in the capable hands of Jin W. and Darby G., so if you have musical (or non-musical) items you would like to donate, Jin and Darby can give you an information sheet to fill out explaining what you’re donating and they will then find a place for it in the silent auction area. We don’t sell tickets or have a set charge for attending WASSUP8, but there are donation cans throughout the building if you wish to help support this effort financially!

We also have ukulele-friendly vendors coming, so if you are uke shopping or even need to replace a string, they can help you with that!

If you’re coming from out-of-town and need a place to stay, the Baymont Inn, 2200 W. Wackerly St., telephone (989) 631-0700, has offered a special SUGAR/WASSUP rate to attendees. It is ¼ mile north of the church (right before the on/off ramp to US-10), and then ¼ mile west on Wackerly. It has a red double-decker bus in the parking lot on the north side of the road, and if you go as far as the US-10 eastbound freeway ramp, you’ve gone a hair too far.

Spread the word, invite friends, bring nice weather with you, and get ready for a great weekend together!

Jam at MI Element Grains & Grounds

We're excited to announce the return of the MI Element Grains & Grounds jam! Starting Friday, September 27th, 2024, and continuing every 4th Friday of the month, join us from 6 PM - 9 PM at 3124 Jefferson Ave (next to Gilroy's Hardware) in Midland for an evening of acoustic music.

Bring your acoustic instruments (sorry, no drums) and your own chair or stool. We'll be gathering in a music circle, where everyone takes turns sharing their tunes. It's a great way to connect with fellow musicians and enjoy a night of live acoustic jams!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Questions can be directed to Julia Dryzga at 989-687-7328 or Mike Giffin.

Whorled at Creative 360

Whorled weaves a World Folk music tapestry at Midland's Creative

360, Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7 pm.

Masterful musicians meld and swirl their many cultural influences and passions into joyful tunes, parts of which you are sure to recognize. One can readily detect the Celtic, Bluegrass, and Classical influences, but also hear notes of Gyspy Jazz, traditional Japanese, Moroccan and Caribbean music. What an audio treat to have them in Midland after 2 years performing the Festival circuit and various Concert Series across Michigan. Join us for an ear-dazzling journey of music by Whorled!

Creative 360 is located at 5501 Jefferson, Midland, MI 48640

Tickets available in advance online or by calling Creative 360 at (989) 837-1885, and at the door. For online ordering go to becreative360.org and click on Get Event Tickets to get started!

Admission to the concert is $10 per person for Folk Music Society Midland members, $15 per Non-Member. Open to the public. Memberships available at the door.

This concert is brought to you by the Midland Folk Music Society with grant support from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and is a collaboration with Creative 360.

Whorled is....

Award-winner at Grand Rapids' 2024 Jammies XXIV in "Traditions" and "Song of the Year" categories.
Grand Rapids' The Stray Café Battle of the Bands winner 2022
Comprised of Thom Jayne, Keala Venema, and Mariko Venema
- Thom Jayne plays guitar and didgeridoo. European and African influences from living various places abroad are infused in his music. Prior to Whorled, he played in a band fusing African, Jazz, Latin, and Celtic music. In addition to Whorled he plays guitar in the Celtic band Trillium.
- While Keala (Ke) Venema is steeped in Celtic and bluegrass music traditions throughout her youth, playing a wide-range of instruments: guitar, fiddle, Bodhran, and tin whistle. She is the lead fiddle instructor for Michigan Academy for Folk Music and Triumph Music Academy, even teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Ke has learned from among the best, having jammed with Grammy nominees and winners. In addition to playing primarily fiddle in Whorled she plays with a jazz fusion band and with folk acts such as Ben Traverse, who has recently appeared on Creative 360's stage.
- Mariko Venema plays the accordion for Whorled and is Ke's mother. Her classical training in piano and life in Japan informs her musical ventures into jamming, first with the melodica, and now playing the accordion in Whorled. Mariko has taken a deep dive into learning about accordion music, covering Irish, Old Time, and Gypsy Jazz styles, but also, traditional Brazilian, French, and Italian ways of playing accordion. She has studied under world-class teachers in New Orleans and France, as well as a premiere jazz teacher. Mariko teaches piano and accordion in the Grand Rapids area.

Thank You for Joining Us at the 2024 Midland Folk Music Festival!

We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who attended the 2024 Midland Folk Music Festival!

Your presence made this year’s festival truly special. From the soulful performances to the lively jam sessions and the warm camaraderie, the spirit of folk music came alive in every moment we shared.

Whether you were a performer, volunteer, vendor, or an enthusiastic listener, you played an essential part in creating the magic we all experienced. We hope the melodies, stories, and connections from the festival continue to resonate with you long after the final note has faded. Your support and passion for folk music keep this community thriving, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Keep the Music Going!

The fun doesn’t stop here! Be sure to check out our event calendar for more upcoming jams, dances, and gatherings. Whether you’re looking to play, dance, or simply enjoy some great music, we have something for everyone. Let’s keep the spirit of folk music alive throughout the year—stay connected and join us for more memorable experiences!