The Return of the Son of the Bride of... DAFT!

It's time for us all to be DAFT again - and resurrect the Delta Area Folk Traditions Festival, this time in conjunction with Delta County's Balloons on the Bays and Pioneer Days celebration at the Upper Peninsula State Fair Grounds. The event runs Thursday through Saturday, but we'll have music Friday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We've got six great acts. Come see it all, enjoy the acoustic music, and also stroll around the grounds, viewing balloons, the historic Tuskegee Airmen, the Steam and Gas Engine Club's Pioneer Village. There's a Children's Area run by the Jaycees, a beer tent, and food on the grounds.

Our schedule is below, as is a brief view of the performers. You'll enjoy being DAFT About Balloons - especially when you realize that all this is available for a $5 weekend ticket, or $15 for a family. Talk about a bargain - see you there!

PERFORMERS – in alphabetical order

Augie and Al (Augie Peters and Almudena Aguirre)
Those in the Escanaba area know Augie and Al as the smoothest duo in town. Chet-Atkins-style guitar and that honey-smooth voice (even without the Spanish accent) make this one go-to act. Swing, country, and now, blues – it’s all good.

Patti Ecker and Louise Brodie
Patti Ecker, the Vamp of the Prairie, brings us the songs, voice, and guitar playing that won her a showcase in the Midwest Region last year. Here, she’s teamed with versatile fiddle player and singer-actress Louise Brodie, who plays with Celtic group Glen Ayre. Expect the unexpected from this Chicagoland duo – Celtic, jazz, blues, ballads, or maybe something from Patti’s stints with The Shameless Hussies..
Discography:  Patti – Prairieland (2002), Gypsy Lover’s Eyes (2007); Louise – The Uneven Bridge (2005, Glen Ayre)

Skip Jones
Papa Folkie for our area, Northeastern Wisconsin’s Skip Jones has a Burl-Ives-like voice, an impeccable ear for a good song, and a sterling soul. He entertains without losing sight of his goal of a better world for us all. Skip has toured throughout the U.S. with the late great Utah Phillips and a host of others; he’s a favorite with schools, elders and forgotten audiences.
Discography: The Journey, Grandpa’s River, You Are My Sunshine, Life Is Delicious

Claudia Schmidt
Folk diva, outrageous voice, skilled guitar, spoken word artist – Claudia is all this and more. She’s acted in Minneapolis and closer to home (which is Michigan). She’s been featured from time to time on Prairie Home Companion, and has appeared in almost every folk venue in the Midwest and throughout the United States.
Discography: Claudia Schmidt (reissued 1989), Essential Tension, While We Live, Closing the Distance (1987), ROADS (spoken word), Wings of Wonder, Claudia Schmidt with the JumpBoys - Live at the Old Rectory Pub, Claudia Schmidt with the JumpBoys - I Thought About You, Spinning, Live at the Dakota (2006)

‘SKI with Ira McDonald, Fred Crandall and Phil Holman
‘SKI is Brian, Caitlin and Kathryn Morski, performing in their trademarked “Whatever” style. Congas (Brian), flute or recorder (Caitlin) and finger-style guitar (Kathryn) accompany original songs and some of the best contemporary acoustic covers. Family band? Well, they are brother, sister and mom, but don’t expect anything you've heard before, except 'SKI!
Ira McDonald deepens and embellishes 'SKI music with his fine keyboard and guitar work. He brings a jazz touch to the group, and is well known both in Grand Marais and Saline, MI, as he divides his time between the two.
Fred Crandall and Phil Holman bring hot harmonica and the sweetest spoons you're likely to hear to the Greater 'SKI Ensemble - we welcome these two fine players from Below the Bridge.
Discography: Voice from the Blue Feather Lodge (1997), Dialogue (2002), Live at the Jo (2005)

Stonecross
Fine musicians, songwriters, and vocalists, the duo Stonecross is primarily Celtic. Siusan O’Rourke and Zig Zeitler perform on guitar and bouzouki, and aren’t afraid to cross over into original songs or other styles as the spirit moves them (ask Ziggie about his Cajun band).
Discography: Dark Irish (2005)