MONROE - From Thursday, June 20 through Saturday, June 22, the Monroe Arts Center will debut the Wisconsin Music Arts Festival. The three-day, biennial festival will feature concerts, music industry presentations and music-related workshops held in locations throughout the community, including at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, Green County Courthouse Square in Monroe, and at taverns and restaurants on the Square for late-night entertainment.
Headline concerts include Michael Perry and the Long Beds, Livingston Taylor and BoDeans.
The WMAF kicks-off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20 with a free outdoor concert on the Square by Michael Perry and The Long Beds. Perry is also a humorist and author of best-selling books including "Population 485," "Truck: A Love Story," and "Coop."
Starting at 10 a.m. June 21 at the PAC, four presentations relating to various aspects of the music business are scheduled. Friday's presenters include: Live music producer and author Tom Jackson; Roy Elkins, music technology entrepreneur and founder and CEO of the independent music website Broadjam, Inc.; and Martin Atkins, record producer and promoter and author.
The first of two WMAF headline concerts is set for 8 p.m. that day when singer, songwriter and musician Livingston Taylor takes the PAC stage. Taylor, the brother of singer James Taylor, peppers his shows with personal stories, anecdotes, and warmth that connect him to his fans. He has never stopped performing during his 40-year career, which includes touring with major artists such as Jimmy Buffet, Linda Ronstadt and Jethro Tull.
Opening for Taylor at 7 p.m. is singer-songwriter Pieta Brown. Her seductive voice and unmistakable style complement a unique blend of alt-country, folk, blues, and indie-rock music.
At 10 a.m. June 22, the workshop session "Stage Performance" with Taylor begins the second day of the festival. Musicians, actors or public speakers can benefit from Taylor's real-life lessons, which are drawn from his experience on the road as a working musician, and learn how to take the stage without fear. Remaining daytime workshop sessions taught by music professionals Beth Kille, Stephanie Elkins, Eric Hester, Anna Vogelzang, Jake Johnson and Emily Hurd, include music and melody, songwriting, radio airplay, music videos, music business and music recording.
The popular roots-rock group, BoDeans, headline at 8 p.m. June 22 at the PAC. The determination and passion of BoDeans founder and front man, Kurt Neumann, has kept their blues, rock, country, and soul music going strong after a quarter of a century. The group continue to tour the country year-round, exposing the kids of their longtime steadfast fans to heartfelt, trend-free, American-made music.
Opening at 6:30 p.m. for BoDeans is the Minnesota-based group Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles. A variety of instruments, musical styles, and vocal arrangements has helped them to become one of the most celebrated young talents to emerge from the Twin Cities in recent history.
After-Hours Concerts on the Square will take place from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday night. Baumgartner's, Bean and Barrel, and Flanagan's Shenanigans will host musicians Hugo Espinoza, Briana Hardyman, Gary Hendrickson, Beth Kille, Ardy Michaels, Ken Olufs, Bill Rients and Alec White.
A variety of festival packages are available. To purchase packages or tickets to any of the festival events or for additional information or a WMAF brochure, contact the MAC at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; at the box office, 1315 11th St.; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional support has been provided by Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Arts Board, and Chuck and Chris Wellington.
Headline concerts include Michael Perry and the Long Beds, Livingston Taylor and BoDeans.
The WMAF kicks-off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20 with a free outdoor concert on the Square by Michael Perry and The Long Beds. Perry is also a humorist and author of best-selling books including "Population 485," "Truck: A Love Story," and "Coop."
Starting at 10 a.m. June 21 at the PAC, four presentations relating to various aspects of the music business are scheduled. Friday's presenters include: Live music producer and author Tom Jackson; Roy Elkins, music technology entrepreneur and founder and CEO of the independent music website Broadjam, Inc.; and Martin Atkins, record producer and promoter and author.
The first of two WMAF headline concerts is set for 8 p.m. that day when singer, songwriter and musician Livingston Taylor takes the PAC stage. Taylor, the brother of singer James Taylor, peppers his shows with personal stories, anecdotes, and warmth that connect him to his fans. He has never stopped performing during his 40-year career, which includes touring with major artists such as Jimmy Buffet, Linda Ronstadt and Jethro Tull.
Opening for Taylor at 7 p.m. is singer-songwriter Pieta Brown. Her seductive voice and unmistakable style complement a unique blend of alt-country, folk, blues, and indie-rock music.
At 10 a.m. June 22, the workshop session "Stage Performance" with Taylor begins the second day of the festival. Musicians, actors or public speakers can benefit from Taylor's real-life lessons, which are drawn from his experience on the road as a working musician, and learn how to take the stage without fear. Remaining daytime workshop sessions taught by music professionals Beth Kille, Stephanie Elkins, Eric Hester, Anna Vogelzang, Jake Johnson and Emily Hurd, include music and melody, songwriting, radio airplay, music videos, music business and music recording.
The popular roots-rock group, BoDeans, headline at 8 p.m. June 22 at the PAC. The determination and passion of BoDeans founder and front man, Kurt Neumann, has kept their blues, rock, country, and soul music going strong after a quarter of a century. The group continue to tour the country year-round, exposing the kids of their longtime steadfast fans to heartfelt, trend-free, American-made music.
Opening at 6:30 p.m. for BoDeans is the Minnesota-based group Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles. A variety of instruments, musical styles, and vocal arrangements has helped them to become one of the most celebrated young talents to emerge from the Twin Cities in recent history.
After-Hours Concerts on the Square will take place from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday night. Baumgartner's, Bean and Barrel, and Flanagan's Shenanigans will host musicians Hugo Espinoza, Briana Hardyman, Gary Hendrickson, Beth Kille, Ardy Michaels, Ken Olufs, Bill Rients and Alec White.
A variety of festival packages are available. To purchase packages or tickets to any of the festival events or for additional information or a WMAF brochure, contact the MAC at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; at the box office, 1315 11th St.; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional support has been provided by Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Arts Board, and Chuck and Chris Wellington.