Mackinac Island's Festival Express Rolls into the Motor City

Feb. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Mackinac Island has been known as a gathering place for centuries and musicians from across the country will gather at the Magic Bag Theatre in Ferndale, Michigan to reprise the mega-concert Festival Express as a benefit for the Mackinac Island Music Festival.

The 1970 mega concert/rockumentary "Festival Express" was a multi-band, multi-day extravaganza that captured the spirit and imagination of a generation and a nation. Musicians included Janis Joplin, The Band, Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Traffic, Sha Na Na and more. It is considered "one of the best performance films of all time" by Hollywood Reporter. The traveling show highlighted several points in the transitioning effects of music in the post-idealism of the late 60s and bands that were notably at the top of their game during this important musical era. The tour was filmed in its entirety, from the acoustic jams on the train cars to the stage shows and featured what is considered some of the most legendary performances by the Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin and Buddy Guy, among others. Rolling Stone has heralded Festival Express as “one of the most important rockumentaries of all time.”

Award winning Acapella group Chordiology will open the show with the Forbes Brothers showing the revival of 50’s rock and roll by taking on the high energy work of Sha Na Na. They are the recipients of the Pioneer District Barbershop Quartet competition and rightfully so. George Friend will showcase his blues guitar skills by interpreting Buddy Guy and Detroit Music Award Winning Veterans Billy Brandt, Sarana VerLin and Jill Jack show the transition from traditional folk music to Americana as we know it today by taking on the music of the Grateful Dead as well as Ian & Sylvia.  Appropriately the recipient of the Detroit Music Award for best folk artist, Audra Kubat beautifully illustrates the folk movement of the 60’s by adding her signature style to Canadian singer/songwriter Eric Anderson’s compositions. Island Musician & Detroit Metro X Music Award Winner presents her new band Thunder Chiefs feat. Mary Gary Rasmussen, Nino Dmytryszyn and JC Whitelaw who will move the show into the realm of psychedelia by interpreting the music Traffic. Barbara Payton, of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band and Kid Rock’s Rock & Roll Jesus Band will take on the music of Janis Joplin as only she can. Her bluesy vocal style is pure Detroit and her interpretation of Janis is not to be missed. The Forbes Brothers, recipients of over 25 Detroit Music Awards, will present and explore the country rock movement perfected by The Band & the Grateful Dead and close the show with a big finale featuring everyone from the show.

Festival director Mary McGuire shares "performing with friends immersed in the beauty of Mackinac Island makes the Mackinac Island Music Festival something special. But, to be able to take it on the road to Detroit, where we all learned music and were deeply influenced by the musical culture of Detroit is an honor.” She adds, “Having the show at the Magic Bag where we have been able express ourselves for decades is also very special. The stage is great, the sound is excellent and the staff is amazing. As musicians, we have all been fortunate to have Jeremy Haberman (Magic Bag Theatre owner) believe in us and provide such a great venue to support local artists."

The show is Saturday, March 5, doors open at 8pm. Tickets are now on sale at the Magic Bag Box Office and via www.ticketweb.com  

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Musicians Performing:
Forbes Brothers (feat. Scott Forbes, Dennis Forbes, Ronnie Jacobs, George Canterbury, Jon Ross & Dave Jack)
www.forbesbrothers.net

Chordiology (feat. Cliff Dake, Dave Spizarny, Paul Ellinger, Rob Pettigrew)
www.chordiology.com

Jill Jack (Jill Jack Band, Forbes Brothers)
www.jilljack.com

Audra Kubat (Stunning Amazon)
www.myspace.com/kubataudra

Mary McGuire (Ash Can Van Gogh, Spiral Dance, Blood Sisters)
www.marymcguire.com

Barbara Payton (Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Blood Sisters)
www.barbarapayton.com

Sarana VerLin (Dark Carnival, Natasha)
www.saranaverlin.com

Billy Brandt (Grievous Angel, High Flying Bird, Ash Can Van Gogh)
www.billybrandt.net

George Friend (Twistin’ Tarantulas, Sun Messengers, Thornetta Davis, Robert Gordon)
www.myspace.com/georgefriend

Gary Rasmussen (Blue Stone Project, Sonic Rendezvous, Scott Morgan, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, THE UP, White Chili, GRR)
www.myspace.com/bluestoneproject

JC Whitelaw (Broken Toys, Jill Jack, Forbes Brothers, Ash Can Van Gogh)
www.facebook.com/jc.whitelaw

Nino Dmytryszyn (Bell Tower, Jill Jack, Ash Can Van Gogh)
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522180545

Charlie Springer (Springer, Irish & Eversol)
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1808172147

About the Mackinac Island Music Festival:
The Mackinac Music Festival began as a one-day event, and in 2006 expanded to a three-day festival as an outcome of past popularity and success. The festival has found considerable recognition since its beginnings, and has become one of Mackinac Island's most exciting festivals of the season. Created to bring a wide variety of musical opportunities to Mackinac Island, The Mackinac Island Music Festival has presented concerts at various Island locations that have included prestigious local, statewide and nationally acclaimed artists covering a wide range of musical genres including folk, rock, pop, bluegrass, jazz and classical.

For more information visit: www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org

Contact:
Mackinac Island Music Festival
director@mackinacisland.org
(800) 454-5227

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Mackinac Island is a National Historic Landmark located between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas whose primary industry is tourism. The Island banned cars ten decades ago and relies on over 600 horses to provide transportation around the Island.