Mennofolk debut at EMHS

Mennofolk Harrisonburg will make its debut on Nov. 4-6, bringing Mennonite musicians, visual artists, and fans together for what promises to be a great time!

Mennofolk began as the brainchild of a young Mennonite pastor looking for new ways to conduct young adult ministry. He contacted local folk musicians and fans and the first festival took place in Ontario where it met huge success. Since then, the original festival has been joined by Mennofolk Manitoba, Mennofolk Michiana, Mennofolk on the Prairie (Kansas), and now Mennofolk Harrisonburg (Virginia).

The festival will run from Friday, Nov. 4 until Sunday, Nov. 6, with events held around the city. Friday's events will run from 5 - 9 p.m. in downtown Harrisonburg at venues such as the Little Grill Collective and Luigi's.

Saturday's schedule is packed with performances, all taking place down the road from EMU, at Eastern Mennonite High School. EMHS will host three stages with continuous music from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. The Little Grill Collective will sell food in the cafeteria from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Professional and student artists and Artisan's Hope will display and sell original artworks at EMHS on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Media include collage, digital and analog photographs, painting, ceramics, drawing, and jewelry making.

Saturday will round out with a late-night jam at 11 p.m. with the Goldmine Pickers in EMU's own Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

On Sunday morning, several Mennofolk musicians will be found in area churches. The festival will conclude with Ted and Lee's The Bob Show, a workshop by Jan Garrett, and a Festival of Praise held at Park View Mennonite Church.

The festival theme is "'Tis a Gift." Performers were asked to put their unique interpretations on traditional music as well as generate new music for the festival. Styles of music may vary, but all performers play "folk music," which Mennofolk defines as "music written about themes of faith, love, and hardships of the regular people."

While all performers have roots or membership in the Mennonite Church, many also have connections in Harrisonburg or the Shenandoah Valley. Local performers include Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, Daphna Creek, Sons of the Day, Ruth Jost, and Cantore. EMU's own Professor of Communications, Jerry Holsopple, will perform original music, including a song about his own family.

J.D. Martin will return to his hometown for several concerts, along with his wife Jan Garrett, who will lead a women's singing workshop called "Finding Your Authentic Voice." Daybreak, a popular local Christian band from the 1970s, will reunite for an encore performance. The Reunion Vocal Band, a group of 10-12 members who meet sporadically across the country, will reunite for their annual concert.

Tickets are $5 for admission to all of Friday's events, $12 for all of Saturday's events (student rate), and are varied for Sunday's events. For a complete list of performances and schedule, visit www.mennofolk.org/harrisonburg.