OK, folks, Ann Arbor was a couple of days ago, and I am on to the Grand Rapids, MI event. I set up two of them so all of Michigan could have a chance. Those that saw the event in Ann Arbor know that the music was excellent, and left wanting more. I had a bit of an incident with an allergic reaction to something I ate, but we ploughed through. Here is the good news. Most of the same players, and some exciting new ones, are onboard for the Grand Rapids event.

The show is being held in the historic Wealthy Theater at 8:00 PM on June 18, 2008. Take a minute and explore the link. This great venue was fully restored and then had the most up to date media electronics installed. It is a phenomenal venue.

The sponsoring organization that I am working through is the venerable Grand River Folk Arts Society. This wonderful bunch of folkies is excited to help our old friend, Utah Phillips.

The lineup is pretty much finalized, and looks like this:

Matt Watroba - Host
Steppin' In It
Claudia Schmidt
Rachael Davis
Chris Buhalis
Mick Lane of The Conklin Ceili Band
Seth Bernard & Daisy May
and
Eric Glatz

The cost for the entire evening is $15.00 a ticket. There will be CD's of Utah's for sale, as well as CD's of the performers for sale. We will have signed posters by Utah, a callin from him during the show, and a whale of a lot of singing to get done. I promise you that you will come away frustrated and satisfied all at once. Frustrated because you will wish you could hear more of each of these fine artists. Satisfied because you will have helped a dear friend. As my buddy Matt Watroba says, "You know he would do it for you".

One of the problems with doing something for such a decent human being is that once the word gets out, everyone wants in. Nice problem to have, eh.

BTW, a special thanks to Garnet Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Chris Buhalis, Eleni Kelakos, Len Wallace, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, and of course, Matt Watroba for their giving performances the other night. They always show us their talent, but on Wednesday the 14th of May, 2008, they showed us their hearts. I really liked what I saw.

If you are in the area, come on out to the Wealthy Theater. You won't be disappointed, and you will do some good.

All the best,

Mick