For use until February 4, 2012

Tenth Annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival
Friday, February 3 & Saturday, February 4, 2012
Hannah Community Center , East Lansing , Michigan
www.singingfestival.com

We are excited to announce the ninth annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival will take place on Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, 2012 in East Lansing , Michigan.

On Friday evening, Feb 3, 2012, at 8 pm join Grammy and CMA Award Winner Suzy Bogguss (and a very talented band!) in singing classic American folk songs, all night long.  On Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7 pm, sing favorite songs of the ’s first decade with song leaders Joel Mabus, Pat Madden, Frank Youngman and Mark Dvorak. 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 songleaders 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...). Some will be giving Saturday afternoon workshops.

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.

9 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 11am, there will be a FREE Children's Concert, presented by Mark Dvorak, FREE of charge, and sponsored by the City of East Lansing. 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 the All-Comer 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 songs 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.)

The Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse is the producer of the festival. For further details, including workshop schedules, ticket information, and maps, visit www.singingfestival.com or call 517.267.0410.