Do you remember when going to a folk concert meant singing popular folk songs with the performers?

Would you like to spend an evening, or a whole weekend, singing great songs with some of the country's favorite folk musicians?

The Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse, the City of East Lansing and Sally Potter are proud to co-produce the sixth annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival to take place on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2, 2008, at East Lansing's Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, East Lansing, MI.

2007 Mid-Winter Singing Festival

Claudia Schmidt, Sally Rogers and Joel Mabus will lead the Friday evening Community Sing at 8 pm on Feb.1, 2008. On Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7 pm Joel and Claudia will be joined by Frank Youngman. Both sings will be held at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

Different songs will be sung each evening; lyric books will be provided.

These four are long-time pals and are very excited to be a part of the festival, sharing and singing songs they love (among them, the emails have already started...each suggesting songs, arrangements, etc...). Claudia and Joel will also be giving Saturday afternoon workshops and Frank Youngman will lead the FREE 11am Children's Concert.  We'll forward those specifics as soon as they are finalized.

Bob Blackman, host of "The Folk Tradition" on WKAR FM 90.5 and frequent host of Ten Pound Fiddle concerts, will be master of ceremonies.

Inspired by Pete and Toshi Seeger's highly popular Circle of Song tent at the Hudson River Clearwater Festival, this singing festival is designed for folk music lovers to be able to sing great songs with each other. Lyrics for the songs sung at both Community Sings will be passed out.

12-14 workshops will be given at the Hannah Community Center from noon-4 pm Saturday afternoon. Song sheets for each workshop will be given out by the presenter. No need to pre-register! Just come to the Community Center, purchase a $10 workshop wristband, pick workshops that interest you, pop into the rooms, and sing! (18 and under and all students are free to all workshops.)

On Saturday morning at 11 am, the City of East Lansing will present a FREE Children's Concert, presented by Frank Youngman and Friends. They will entertain the crowd with sing-alongs and storytelling. Kids of all ages are encouraged come to the Hannah Community Center and sing folk songs.

Rachel Alexander, founder of the Lansing women's chorus Sistrum, will create a Festival Choir Saturday afternoon (3 - 5 pm). Rachel, who holds a Master's in Conducting from MSU, is highly skilled at bringing people of varying abilities together to form an energetic ensemble. This community choir will share two pieces, including one with soloist Claudia Schmidt, with their community on stage during Saturday night's concert. (Festival Choir participants need to purchase a ticket for Saturday's 7 pm Community Sing.)

As the list of festival activities suggests, the songs themselves are the real stars of these sings and workshops. Each event is designed to maximize audience participation. People who love folk songs are invited to bring family and friends and spend an evening, or the weekend singing great songs with song leaders who love this music.

Did your family sing while doing the dishes? Do you sing on long car trips? This festival is for you. Even if your voice isn't as good as you want it to be, that doesn't matter. This weekend is for people who love to sing. This weekend will spread a little warmth on two chilly, winter days.

For further details, including schedules, ticket information, maps to festival sites, and food and lodging information, visit www.singingfestival.com click on their respective links. For those who do not have internet access, call 517-267-0410 and ask to be mailed an up-dated festival schedule.

See you at the Festival!