we believe... that a Fair should ignite all your senses and inspire all your passion, so we have music, too. In fact, we have folk and world music to go with our folk art.

we'll leave bio information here on our 2011 performers while we work to create a new performance schedule for 2012. Who knows? You may find you are in need of musical entertainment!

our music is presentd by Off Square Music, who work tirelessly both before and during the Fair to share with you the talents of our delightful lineup of musicians. We thank them for their sponsorship and with their dedication to preserving our folk music heritage.

Off Square Music Board of Directors working the sound board at the 2009 Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair. From left: Roger Benson, Keith Johnson, Kent Fishburn, Don Humbertson, and Andy Andrick

featured performers

SMALL POTATOES
www.smallpotatoesmusic.com

“Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso combine cleverly witty with powerfully poignant songs, along with well chosen covers to present an unusually entertaining and involving repertoire engagingly delivered. Prezioso's song "1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes" is one of the most outstanding songs of the past 50 years." Rich Warren The Midnight Special - WFMT Radio, Chicago, IL.

TRILLIUM
www.trilliumtheband.com

Trilliam's eclectic repertoire ranges in style from Celtic, to folk, to ragtime, to swing, to bluegrass, and appeals to all ages and most musical tastes. "...the new CD is one of the best recordings I have heard in a while...it's really top shelf!" Lilli Kuzma, WDCB Folk Festival

COMPASS

Compass is composed of five men in search of a direction. It is commonly known that men never ask for directions. Members of The Lake County Folk Club formed this quintet from a mutual desire to unleash their passion for acoustic adventure music. "(Compass) presents a veritable folk festival…" Dave Humphreys – Two Way Street Coffee House

PETE JONSSON
www.livebaitmusic.com

A founding member of Live Bait, Pete Jonsson grew up in a home that had live music. Family gatherings featured his grandfather on mandolin, his father on guitar and uncle on banjo. An Arthur Godfrey ukelele started him down the path towards his own destruction. His music is a mix of folk, pop, blues, old standards, and original songs.

performers in 2011

	Bear Creek www.BearCreekMusic.us Bear Creek is Gary Plazyk and Rob Middleton.  They perform music and songs from the 1800s, plus sea shanties and children’s songs.  The instruments they use include: guitar, fiddle, penny whistle, hammered dulcimer, concertina, hurdy gurdy, and didgeridoo, plus a grab bag of musical toys including jaw harp, clackamore, limberjack, spoons, and kazoo. Audience participation is enthusiastically encouraged!
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	The Beaumonts beaumontsusa@ameritech.net Local acoustic trio, Andy Andrick, Gloria Burchfield, and Len Gilard, combine a wide range of music including 50’s, 60’s, Beatles, Elvis, Country, and original music by Len, topping it off with 3-part harmonies. Over 100 years combined experience entertaining audiences with a variety of music and comedy. See them at Johnny Appleseed Festival, Farmers Markets, Stage Left Café, Senior functions, and the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair.
	Big Fish kent.fishburn@gmail.com With Kent Fishburn and Debbie Firak on guitars and Marty Brunkalla on Mandolin and Fiddle, Big Fish offers up a smooth blend of music from Swing, Blues and Folk, to classic old Jazz standards.
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	Blackwater Music Acoustic music from the 60's and 70's.
	Mim Eichmann www.trilliumtheband.com/aboutus.htm The artistic director and choreographer of Midwest Ballet Theatre, while rehearsing for a Celtic-themed program, Mim stood next to a musician playing the hammered dulcimer and fell in love with the instrument on the spot!
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	Jim Fine
	Guyz with Bad Eyez ... are Merv Collins and Don Humbertson. The Guyz enjoy playing a wide range of popular (and some lesser-known) tunes with energy and gusto. Merv Collins, a Fingerstyle and Lead Guitarist, has been playing music for over 4 decades. Merv’s instrumental style is influenced by celtic, classical, bluegrass, country, folk, medieval and even some good old rock and roll music. Don Humbertson, a Woodstock resident, handles lead singing duties for the Guyz along with playing his 12-string guitar. Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine, Leo Kottke and John Fahey are some of the performers Don has admired and been influenced by. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Don was the advertising director of the Chicago Reader.
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	Paul Hanrahan hanjhs2000@yahoo.com Paul Hanrahan won the 2009 Woodstock Harvest Fest Guitar playing contest. His guitar playing style is a self-taught two-finger picking approach. His lyrical style is at times a bit off the beaten tight rope, touching on such things as a quick visit to Heaven to hang with friends and ask some questions, man-eating squirrels that can also monitor your dreams...and other interesting stories. Paul is a high school teacher and theatre director, occasionally writing incidental/thematic music for plays.
	Dave Hawkins www.hawkmanmusic.com Dave Hawkins is the songwriter, guitarist, and singer from the cities of Chicago (Rogers Park, Evanston, Lake Bluff), Tulsa, and New Orleans (Metairie). Many know him as Hawkman or one of the inevitable variations on Hawk. He has recently released his new album on Darwin Records.
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	Mark Hobbs www.markhobbsmusic.com Mark’s songs will leave imprints on your heart, and it’s likely that you’ll experience the full gamut of emotions, from heartache to laughter, during his intimate performances.
	Katie Jummati www.facebook.com/katiejummatimusic Katie Jummati started playing guitar in 2007, and has been hooked ever since. She has been playing open mics for almost two years, and has gained a large following. She has played with artists like The Wind Gypsys, and recorded her demo with Neil Holmquist at Dungeon Recording Studio. She will be recording her first full-length album in 2011.
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	Olivia Kaspryk olivia-harp@hotmail.com My name is Olivia; I’m 15 years old and have a passion for playing two instruments, though my passion for practicing harp is slightly stronger. For the past 7 years I have been a student of piano, but for the past 6 years I’ve also been a student of harp. This is my 3rd year playing at the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair but I’ve also performed at the Woodstock Farmers Market, Lord of the Light at my Church, and weddings.
	Mary Lai maryelai@msn.com delivers fresh renditions of familiar tunes and memorable originals with passionate vocals and guitar. Her music has been called "magical," "deeply moving," reminiscent of Judy Collins and Eva Cassidy but with a voice all her own.
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	Dean Millano www.toys-n-cars.com/my_music.htm Dean’s music ranges from folk, country, rock, ballads, latin, bluegrass, pop to novelty songs. He has opened for such greats as Paul Butterfield, Jan & Dean, Cab Calloway, the Spencer Davis Group, Bo Diddley, The Kingston Trio and many more.
	Lillian Reasor www.lillianrosereasor.weebly.com Seventeen year old Lillian Reasor is an internationally award winning Irish Harper. She performs, teaches, and composes Irish music in the Chicagoland area.
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	JW Rice www.facebook.com/people/Jw-Rice JW Rice, born and raised in Woodstock, Illinois, is a self-taught guitarist. He founded the JW Rice Band, fashioned after Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, in 1972. The band opened for many acts including Asleep at the Wheel, Vassar Clements, John Hammond, Jr., and Pinetop Perkins. When the original JW Rice Band dispersed in 1981, JW started a love affair with the blues. Meeting and talking to the great Muddy Waters was a turning point in his musical life. He began learning Muddy’s style of blues music that covered the traditional Delta blues with country blues thrown in.
	Kent Rose www.kentrose.com Kent Rose was described by T.J. Simon of musicbox-online.com as, “dressing like Buck Owens, singing like Dwight Yoakam, and writing songs like Buddy Holly.” Kent performs hillbilly and rockabilly songs that are familiar and comforting, as well as originals inspired by these classics. In 2010 Kent was featured as U.S. Cellular customer Kent in a national commercial promoting free incoming calls.
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	Russ & Diane Ward rward001@ameritech.net Russ and Diane have been together since 1973 and have been performing at local open mics for the past ten years. They specialize in harmony vocals and finding great songs that you might not have heard before.

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What did you enjoy most about the Fair? "...the music"..."the music was good"..."good music and time to relax"
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Thank you to our music partner:

Celebrating the Work (and Music) of Your Hands
for 6 Years:

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

"I love the fair. The music was especially appreciated..."
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Music at the Fair: