‘Mennofolk’ Groups to Perform in Harrisonburg/EMU

Cincinnati-based duo Over the Rhine
Cincinnati-based duo, “Over the Rhine”

The Cincinnati-based duo, “Over the Rhine,” and 15 other acts will perform folk, jazz, bluegrass, blues and a capella music at the 2006 Mennofolk festival in Harrisonburg on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, during EMU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The weekend will begin with Friday night concerts at three downtown Harrisonburg locations.

Chicago songwriter Rachel Ries and Michigan-based folksinger Andru Bemis will perform 7 p.m. at the Artful Dodger. An 8 p.m. concert at the Daily Grind on Court Square will feature blues by Alex Albrecht and original folk music by Keith Hershberger. At 9 p.m., Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels and Crozet songwriter Jon Nafziger will perform at the Little Grill.

Over the Rhine

Over the Rhine will perform 8 p.m. Saturday in EMU’s Lehman Auditorium.

The duo, comprised of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, has released 15 albums, including the critically acclaimed two-CD set “Ohio.”

Over the Rhine has performed and recorded with Cowboy Junkies and opened for Bob Dylan. The duo’s music has been heard on such TV programs as Bones, Third Watch, Jack and Bobby, Felicity and Mysterious Ways, as well as on international compilations alongside artists such as Radiohead, Coldplay and Dido.

Over the Rhine recently signed a recording contract with the Virgin/Back Porch label. More information about OTR is available online at www.overtherhine.com.

Sons of the Day
Sons of the Day

Beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, performers will present one-hour sets on three stages on the EMU campus. The lineup includes jazz by Ryan Kauffman, a capella music by Sons of the Day, Finely Tuned and the Foresingers, topical folk by Chuck Neufeld and traditional bluegrass by Daphna Creek.

Other Saturday performers include the Katie Grove Band, Dave Nealon & Case Studies and Tim Shue. Each of the Friday night performers will also appear.

More information about festival performers is available at www.mennofolk.org.

During the Saturday afternoon and early evening concerts, food from the Little Grill will be available for purchase at the EMU snack shop. Shanks Bakery will sell food at Martin Chapel.

Festival Includes ‘Open Mike’ Session

Following the Over the Rhine concert, the festival will conclude with an 11 p.m. open mike session at the Common Grounds coffee bar on the EMU campus.

Tickets to the multi-stage concerts are $12, or $35 per family (parent or guardian and children). Admission to the Over the Rhine concert is $12, or $8 with a multi-stage ticket. Children under six years old will be admitted free.

Admission to the Artful Dodger and downtown Daily Grind concerts is free.

More information about the 9 p.m. Friday concert is available from the Little Grill.

Tickets to the Saturday events can be ordered through the EMU Box Office at 540-432-4582 or online at www.emu.edu/boxoffice/. A service charge will be added. Tickets also are available at Red Front Supermarket in Harrisonburg and at the door.

This year’s festival is being held in conjunction with EMU’s homecoming weekend. More information about homecoming events is available from the alumni office at (540) 432-4204 or online at www.emu.edu/homecoming/.

The festival is made possible, in part, through a grant from the Arts Council of the Valley. Major support also comes from Virginia Mennonite Conference.