Mackinac Island Music Festival Tuned Up and Ready to Rock

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 1, 2012 - Presented by Great Turtle Festivals, performances abound around the car-less Island’s quaint pubs, historic theatres and outdoor spaces. The 8th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival will highlight the Michigan’s best  folk, rock, country and blues musicians.

Mission Point Resort is providing the main stage in the historic Mission Point Theatre where folk legend Dick Siegel & the Brandos with Detroit Music Award winning folk artist Audra Kubat and Mackinac Island student Adrienne Rilenge for her first performance on the big stage on Wednesday, August 15. On Thursday, August 16, the show turns to some of the best women in the rock music scence when the supergroup Blood Sisters featuring Barbara Payton (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band/Kid Rock), Mary McGuire (Calamity Jane Band, Ash Can Van Gogh) and Michelle Chenard (Leavin’ Dodge) hit the stage with their bandmates Erik Gustafson (Howling Diablos, Blue Dog, Brothers Groove), Gary Rasmussen (Sonic’s Rendevous, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Broken Arrow Blues Band) and Nino Dmytryszyn (The Belltower, Ash Can Van Gogh). Opening the show is punk/poet/priestess Carolyn Striho with Scott Dailey.

Island House Hotel will host the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America's group, Starlifter. This seven-piece group of talented musicians performs in virtually every musical idiom, from Rock and Pop to Jazz and Country, to great contemporary and traditional patriotic songs. They feature the best in popular music from the 1970's to the most current sounds at the top of today's charts. Starlifter's musical versatility provides an exciting event for audiences overseas, our nation's top leaders, festivals, or enthusiastic crowds at a summer park concert. In the tradition of their namesake, the C-141 Starlifter transport jet, this combo's high-energy music transports its listeners to a higher plane.

Throughout the Island, music will be found everywhere. Classical music will be featured on the  the world’s longest summer porch at Grand Hotel with harpist Claire and bassist  Philip Alejo. Mackinac Island Public Library will host Olivet College Professor Roger Humphrey with an afternoon of beautiful classical guitar compositions. Jazz will abound at the legendary Jazz and Wine Night at Grand Hotel’s Gate House restaurant where Grand Hotel Jazz Quartet take the helm. Downtown pubs will have acoustic musicians including Detroit Music Award winning country/rock/celtic duo Billy Brand and Sarana VerLin. Mary’s Bistro will host Audra Kubat and rock poster artist Mark Arminski and Horn’s Bar will amp up Booty Night with DJ Brevin (best DJ in Northern Michigan), DJ Psycho and DJ Rock City. The Harbour View BB&Q will have an afternoon soire featuring the Island’s next generation for an afternoon showcase with Adrienne Rilenge, Jane Finkel and Graham Young.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11939678/1