Comments on: Will Dunegrass 2009 Happen?

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:52:02 +0000

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.

By: pearly baker

pearly baker — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:43:03 +0000

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.

By: Ta Waller

Ta Waller — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:28:36 +0000

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!

By: Ta Waller

Ta Waller — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:11:21 +0000

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!

By: Tim Rohlfing

Tim Rohlfing — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:53:43 +0000

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

By: l. l. slade

l. l. slade — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:22:51 +0000

“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.

By: James Lockthorn

James Lockthorn — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:50:22 +0000

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.

By: James Lockthorn

James Lockthorn — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:28:24 +0000

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.