Greetings! We hope you will join us for what promises to be another tremendous year in Dunegrass history! A very big THANK YOU!! to all of the Dunegrass fans and volunteers who’s kindness, positive energy, and respect for the local community made the 2005 festival an overwhelming success.
In the light of this achievement the Village of Empire has granted a three-day land use permit for Dunegrass 2006. Further, we have formed an alliance with the Leelanau Land Conservancy to allow low-impact camping in the Chippewa Run Natural Area adjacent to the Dunegrass Festival Field. The three days has provided us with the opportunity to invite even more amazing musicians this year and the partnership with the Leelanau Land Conservancy gives us the capacity to accommodate all of the fans who will follow.
Immediately after the approval of three days we went to work booking a dream team of musicians for the 2006 fest. First on board was Electric Hot Tuna with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy. They had such a good time last year as Acoustic Hot Tuna that we signed them on for 2006 the Sunday after the 2005 festival! We are thrilled to have them back and it may be hard to believe but that is only the tip of the iceberg.
We were all extremely saddened to hear of the untimely passing of keyboardist and Dunegrass headliner Vince Welnick. This left us with a pain in our hearts and the difficult job of filling his shoes Friday night. Thankfully Vince’s friend and fellow Grateful Dead Alumni Tom Constanten has jumped on board. Tom and Friends will be playing Friday night as a tribute to the life and music of Vince.
Friday will also feature New Orleans native jazz and blues piano player Henry Butler; also joining the lineup on Saturday and Sunday we have bluegrass and acoustic guitar legends Peter Rowan and Tony Rice; Sunday we are thrilled to present to you folk heroes Greg Brown and Iris Dement.
Folks this is just a few of the fabulous names and talents this year! Please check out the artisits and schedule page for the names and biographies of everyone in this years lineup.
Dunegrass also welcomes the return of Sandsational Sand Sculpting who wowed everyone with last years Bear Sculpture. We are all on the edge of our seats to see what their skilled hands will create.
All of us here at Grassroots Productions and MpiR extend a warm welcome to all of you to join us for a spectacular weekend of art, music, dancing, and relaxation here in beautiful Northern Michigan in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our goal is to bring the finest roots-oriented music right to your own beautiful back yard for your happiness and enjoyment. Please help us in creating another masterpiece by respecting the other festival-goers, the land, the environment and your gracious hosts and festival neighbors the folks who live in the village of Empire.
Life is Music!
Mike Vandenburg, Stephen M. Volas, Jeremiah Sequoia
Dunegrass 2008 will be held July 31st, August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. A complete list of artists and ticket information will be available soon. Check out the ticketing page NOW for early bird ticket pricing!
Grassroots Productions (the organization that produces Dunegrass) is proud to be part of the Raising the Curtain campaign helping generate revenue to restore The City Opera House in Traverse City. By combining the enthusiasm and resources of Grassroots with those of The City Opera House Heritage Association, everyone is excited about the opportunity to hear some great music in downtown Traverse City.
