Community Outreach & Education The Blissfest Music Organization is active in the local community as well in regional and national folk and roots organizations. We foster a mission to promote diversity and community through music, dance and crafts. Here is a list of activities and organizations that get Blissed. Elyce Fishmann Scholarship Fund: Blissfest provides funding for traditional arts education through the Wheatland Music Organization’s Elyce Fishmann Scholarship fund. www.wheatlandmusic.org 22nd Annual Lamb’s Songwriters Retreat: Blissfest provides scholarships for emerging songwriters to attend this annual event in Harbor Springs and is a primary sponsor for the event. November 3-6 & 10-13, 2016. CMU Public Broadcasting: Blissfest underwrites programs on our regional public broadcasting station, including World Café, The Juke Joint, Home Spun, American Routes and Our Front Porch– just to name a few of our favorites! Ukes for Youth and Ukulele Club: Ukes for Youth is a continuing project that is available for schools, community groups and camps in the area. The project has been introducing this folk-arts string program to area youth using the baritone ukulele as the teaching instrument for several years now and has been a great outreach tool. The program is geared for children in 4th-5th grades to adults and will include instrument care, basic cording techniques and song accompaniment. Blissfest also sponsors the Ukes for Youth Ukulele Club at Red Sky Stage, which meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. We share songs, do some group instruction and have lots of fun. Community Organization Arts, Events and Special Projects Supported in 2015/16: We have supported the Robert Emmet Society, Petoskey District Library, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Boyne Stroll the Streets, Petoskey Concerts in the Park, Harbor Springs Street Musique, Readmond Volunteer Firefighters Association, First Night Celebration, Legs Inn, Mackinaw Historical Society, Northern Michigan Cultural Alliance, Indian River Rhythm on the River, Woofstock, Petoskey Festival on the Bay and many other community groups. Affiliations: Blissfest maintains a membership in our local Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Indian River Chambers of Commerce in support of cultural tourism. We are also affiliated with Folk Alliance International, Ontario Conference of Folk Festivals and the Michigan Non-Profit Association.
Retreat Center: The Blissfest Farmhouse is ready to receive guests and artists. Three cabins and two domes are available now, and more cabins will be available next spring. The new campground will be completed right after the festival and be available later this year. Spend some quiet time here at the festival farm with 160 acres to roam and explore. We are booking activities and special events for the 2016 season now. For more information call the office and ask for Jim or visit www.blissfest.org Red Sky Stage: This new venue in downtown Petoskey has fast become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Red Sky Stage hosts a Blissfest Folk and Roots Mini-Concert series and the new Blissfest Ukulele Club. They have become a popular spot to get together and play music every Sunday with their afternoon Blissfest String Jam, followed by a Jazz Jam Session every Sunday evening. Watch their website for more information about upcoming shows and events www. redskystage.com
Blissfest Music Organization’s mission is to preserve traditions and promote innovators of American and worldwide music, arts & crafts and sustainable living skills through performance, education and community participation. board of directors 2016 Angie Myers, President • Matt Yurek, Vice President Ron Fowler, Secretary • Matt Whitener, Treasurer Susan Scott • Bill Hutto • Jerry Dragicevich Jeff Obeshaw • Cindy Lou Poquette staff Jim Gillespie, Executive Director • Sarah Reinfelder, Office Manager • Caroline Barlow, Volunteer Coordinator Dan Calloway, Business Manager • Mark “Roz” Rosalik, Festival Farm Caretaker • Patrick Dueweke, Festival Farm Caretaker • Paulina Adams, Office Intern Will Michael & Marley Jablonski, Farm Interns standing committees Festival Operations - Jerry Dragicevich Finance - Matt Whitener • Governance - Cindy Lou Poquette Human Resources - Susan Scott • Marketing - Jeff Obeshaw Programming - Jim Gillespie, Ron Fowler & Kirby Snively Site - Matt Yurek & Bill Hutto you can always reach us Office: 522 Liberty St., Unit A, Petoskey, MI 49770 Phone/Fax: 231.348.7047 www.blissfest.org • e-mail: info@blissfest.org Listen to your Bliss! www.Blissfestradio.org
67