Bluegrass in the Square comes to Woodstock's Harvest Fest
About the bands:
Art Stevenson & High Water is Wisconsin's best-known bluegrass show, and has been in demand throughout the Midwest festival circuit since 1993. The band's bluegrass sound comes from the close duet singing of husband and wife team Art and Stephanie Stevenson, along with the spirited banjo- and dobro-playing of Dale Reichert and the hard-driving mandolin picking of Bruce King. Their seventh album, "Twilight," was released in August 2013. High Water's music is heard on bluegrass radio programs around the U.S. and has received critical acclaim in the magazines Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now. Recording artist James King and country music historian Bill Malone agree that Art and Stephanie Stevenson rank among the best duet singers active today. Visit highwatermusic.com for more about Art and the band.
Internationally renowned mandolinist Don Stiernberg was a protege of the legendary Jethro Burns and has deep roots in bluegrass music, though he is most often considered a jazz mandolin virtuoso. Chicago-based Don has assembled some of his favorite players into the Don Stiernberg AllStar Bluegrass Pals. Don's AllStar Bluegrass Pals are: Ben Benedict on guitar, Jon Peik on banjo, and Jim Cox on bass. Visit donstiernberg.com for more about Don.
Contemporary tones blend with traditional roots in the sound of Milwaukee-based Chicken Wire Empire. The band formed in 2012 and has wasted no time establishing themselves as one of the up-and-coming bluegrass ensembles in the Midwest. Ryan Ogburn (mandolin), Jordan Kroeger (upright bass), Seth Foerster (guitar) and John Peik (banjo) make up Chicken Wire Empire. Visit chickenwireempire.com for more about the band.
Requested donation for Bluegrass in the Square is $10.
2016 Harvest Fest will also feature an Old Tyme Fiddle Contest at Stage Left Cafe, 125 Van Buren St, with junior and senior divisions and cash prizes.
The Fair in the Square portion of Harvest Fest will present craft vendors from throughout the Midwest offering a wide variety of handmade craft items for sale.
Off Square Music is a Woodstock nonprofit folk music organization. For information about this and other Off Square events, visit offsquaremusic.org.