There’s so much to do for folks of all ages at the festival. Here’s a handy list of events and activities that will be especially fun for families.
- All Jump Up/Silver Rose - The beloved and dynamic duo of Barb Silverman, “a folk festival in a box,” and Steve Rosen, “the folk Buddha,” pack 30 years of charm and talent from old-time to
- Campfire Singalong - Join Jan Kalmar (7:00pm-8:00pm) for a community song circle around the campfire. Bring chairs, cozy clothes and warm your hearts! Then, stay and sing all your favorite songs with Jordan
- Dance Try-Its - Dance Try-Its with Sherry DeWan, Daniel Flora, Bonny Thiel and the Central Illinois English Dancers
- Donnybrook - Jay and Pat Landers (Donnybrook) have been deeply involved in performing traditional Irish/Celtic music since 1983, when they were founding members of “Drowsy Maggie,” one of the first Irish folk
- Grass Roots Revival - Grass Roots Revival (GRR) plays traditional bluegrass and Americana music with a vengeance. GRR’s specialty is close harmonies and the high-lonesome sound that bluegrass is known for. All three members
- Guitar From Scratch with Rob Krumm - Join guitar instructor Rob Krumm from the Community Center for the Arts for the Guitar From Scratch Workshop. If you have never played the guitar before, or if you played
- Homebrew Ukulele Union Singalong - Bring your ukulele or borrow one for an all ages sing-along with the Homebrew Ukulele Union (HUU). The HUU is a sing-along group that comes together at the University of
- Irish Music for Beginners - Jay and Pat Landers (Donnybrook) have played traditional Irish music since 1983. Their Intro to Irish Music will include demonstrations on the piano accordion, tin whistle and bodhran drum, and
- Michael Powers - Michael Powers, drummer and hand-percussionist extraordinaire has played with many blues, rock, and world music bands in the area over the past thirty years. His solo percussion performances are a
- Mike Anderson – Storytelling - The combination of music, storytelling and humor has made Mike Anderson one of the most sought-after performers from the Atlantic coast to Canada to the Gulf and all points in
- Mr. Stephens - The festival welcomes back “Mr. Stephens,” who has been entertaining the twelve-and-under set around C-U for years with his blend of serious and silly, fun and folksy guitar and vocals.
- Musical Mayhem Parade with Baião de Dois - Join the Brazilian music and percussion group Baião de Dois for our annual musical mayhem parade! Bring your instruments, costumes and free spirits and celebrate carnivale on the streets of downtown
- Puppetalooza! with Miriam Larson - Join puppeteer Miriam Larson for some fun stories for all ages. Puppet antics will include a retelling of the Aesop tale Ant and Grasshopper and a slap-stick skit that all
- Rubber Soul Play/Singalong with The Prairie Dogs - Bring your instrument, voice, friends and family and let Jordan Kaye and the Prairie Dogs lead you through the Beatles album that was voted 5th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list
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- Stomp and Scrape! Family Percussion Workshop - This workshop, led by Rhythm Queen Barb Silverman (Silver Rose), will pull together sounds from washboards, sandpaper blocks, shakers, sticks and feet into one big magical rhythm orchestra. This delightful
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- Storytelling with Hal Southern and Camille Born - Hal Southern was born and raised in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. He started telling stories in 2009 and loves the journey that stories take him on. He tells
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- Storytelling with Kathe Brinkmann and Elaine Bearden - Kathe Brinkmann is a wonderful storyteller with a breadth of tales that range from the moving to the comical. She is always tuned into her listeners and seems to know
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- Storytelling with Sue Searing and Kim Sheahan - Sue Searing has lived in Champaign for over 15 years, working as a librarian at the University of Illinois. She’s originally from upstate New York. Her passion for discovering, learning,
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- Try-it Tent - Stop by the Try-it Tent for mini-lessons on a variety of instruments, taught by experienced local folk musicians. Keep coming back because every hour will feature different instruments and different