Jan 08 2009
Will Dunegrass 2009 Happen?
***Update May 26th 2009***
Check our comments for the latest updates on Dunegrass 2009!
We’ve heard from Ted and here’s the news….
“Hello Michigan Music Blog and lovers of festival music.
I bear good tidings and news of Dunegrass 2009. The spirit and reality of Dunegrass lives throughout the land and in the hearts of many such as the wonderful people above me here, and it is being planned as I type this. A new site has been secured just outside of Empire. We are reviving the original recipe for Dunegrass and the response is wonderful.
Our new site is http://www.dunegrass3.org
Please be patient for complete info to be posted.
Thank you all for the spirit of DG.
Ted
Just so you know, Grass Roots Productions is not and will not be involved in any way.”
*****
Original post 1/8/2009
According to the Leelanau News, there is a strong possibility that the Sleeping Bear Dunegrass and Blues Festival might not take place in Empire, Michigan in August of this year – and it might not take place at all. Dunegrass is a little-known festival that has been held in the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula for well over a decade now.
But the Leelanau News reports that Stephen Volas of Grassroots Productions, the company that runs and organizes the Dunegrass Music Festival is nearly a quarter of a million dollars in debt – and at this point it is unclear whether or not the Dunegrass 2009 festival will indeed go down as planned.
Grass roots productions will not longer be producing the Dunegrass music festival. Their poor financial planning and lack of promotion has soiled the Dunegrass name. We hope there is another re-encarnation of the festival this year without the involvement of Grass roots.
Please stay tuned to the local spirit to uphold the tradition.
The current state of Dunegrass is in jeopardy. Grass roots has tried to postion themselves as a profit center with neglect to the local tradition of the familes and township. Their profit focused vision has neglected the true spirit of the festival. Grass roots will no longer be organizing the festival. Hopes are the original organizer(s) and township will be able to return the festival to the greatness is was in the past.
“Thank you” to the town of Empire for being so gracious all of these wonderful years with the support of The Dunegrass Festival. The laid back feel of the whole event will be mounred and greatly missed. Where else can I possibly walk right up to the stage and see the bright smiles of great artists without being pushed back by security? I am so sorry to see the demise of a family trusted event leave the area.
It is really a shame that Dunegrass was organized and produced in such a shabby unprofessional way. Dunegrass was a wonderful time, I went the past three years(I missed last year’s Sunday (thankfully)).
Dunegrass was a great way to bring money to NW MI (even if some locals complained about the traffic & parking, it still emptied the stores and gas stations of their water and munchies).
I hope someone picks the reigns back up helps restore Dunegrass back to the way it should be (but I won’t hold my breath).
Tim Rohlfing
Frankfort
Dunegrass may yet happen! It will certainly not be on the scale of 2008 - I was amazed at the lineup that played and was wowed by many performances - the Punch Brothers “unplugged” set was amazing as were many other moments and if you only caught the big names then you missed great local talent. Grassroots got way in over their heads and could not payout when the time came and gave the fest a major setback. Amelia Vanderberg (Mike’s daughter) and friends are trying to revive Dunegrass and bring it back to its roots. There is a site on facebook.com - search for “new dunegrass festival” - I think you need to set up your own site before you can search (at least that is what I did). I hope they can pull it off. It is such a great place for a nice laid back festival with great folks and energy. If were only the great MI bands that were there over the years it will still be worth going to! Check out the site and spread the word so that it can and will happen!
Crassroots got way in over their heads! I was amazed at the lineup they got - now I know it was all promise and no payout! Still Dunegrass 2008 was one of the best festivals I’ve been to. Great music, great people, laid back, scenic setting. Some incredible moments - like the Punch Bros “unplugged” set. Great MI bands that held their own with the big names - it was difficult to know where to be most of the time!! Dunegrass is being taken back to its roots by Amelia Vanderberg (daughter of Mike who started it all) and friends - they’ve created a site on facebook - search for New Dunegrass Festival. I think they will get something together for this year and I plan to join the fun when they do!
Ta
i am really bummed that dunegrass may not happen this year. it was by far the best family friendly music festival for the last few years. we were really excited about going again this year… our son will be bummed.
i hope that the family can get the name back and restore dunegrass to what it was 2007 and earlier.
Just want to let everyone know that there will be a Dunegass Festival this summer. As of now it looks like it will be the first weekend in August. It will not be in the same spot, but will still be in or near Empire.
Working on the website now. Will post a link as soon as its up.
For now you can visit this link for more info.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=40621951007&ref=mf
Hope to see everyone there.
Dunegrass is on, to help pull it off we need lots of help! Please visit our facebook page “Help Revive Dune Grass” (http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=40621951007) to get updates.
Ticket info will be coming out soon, so keep your eyes open. One of the best ways to help Dunegrass this year is to purchase your ticket early to help give us more working capital to make the festival as beautiful as it can be!
YES!!!!! A site has been secured!!!! See details as they unfold at www.Dunegrass3.org
Hello Michigan Music Blog and lovers of festival music.
I bear good tidings and news of Dunegrass 2009. The spirit and reality of Dunegrass lives throughout the land and in the hearts of many such as the wonderful people above me here, and it is being planned as I type this. A new site has been secured just outside of Empire. We are reviving the original recipe for Dunegrass and the response is wonderful.
Our new site is http://www.dunegrass3.org
Please be patient for complete info to be posted.
Thank you all for the spirit of DG.
Ted
Just so you know, Grass Roots Productions is not and will not be involved in any way.
Happy summer everyone. Dunegrass 2009 is comin’ at ya.
Tickets are online now at www.dunegrass3.org
Carol Vanderberg and Winwin Productions invite the world to Dunegrass 2009.
See ya’ll there.