Mennofolk hits the 'Burg

Many people enjoy music, and the Harrisonburg area has plenty of Mennonites, so it's not surprising that they would come together. That happened this past weekend, as some of the most talented Mennonite musicians in the country descended upon Harrisonburg to participate in the city's first ever Mennofolk event. Five Mennofolk events occur annually across North America, with Harrisonburg being the most recent addition.

Billed as a celebration of contemporary Mennonite faith and culture through acoustic music and song, the weekend's concerts featured artists such as Brad Yoder, JD Martin, and Goldmine Pickers, as well as local favorites Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels, Daphna Creek, and Sons of the Day.

Several performers spent Friday evening at various downtown venues, giving the coffeehouse crowds at Daily Grind, Artful Dodger, and the Little Grill (among others) a taste of what was to come the next day. Saturday's schedule was packed with over thirty performances at EMHS, as crowds gathered in the auditorium, dining hall, and student lounge to hear their favorites. For those diehard fans and dedicated workers who chose not to leave the building for the duration of the event, The Little Grill provided lunch and dinner meal options.

EMU senior Andrea Kniss, a Mennonite musician herself, noted, "The whole event screamed 'Mennonite'...everyone dressed casually, just milling around chatting with friends and relatives and strangers, sampling the music here and there, occasionally sitting through an entire set to support their favorite artists. Sometimes people even spent money on stuff. Good music is always a good cause." Tables were available for musicians to sell CDs and other merchandise, local artists displayed their work, and Artisans' Hope, a local business that sells products from various organizations, including Ten Thousand Villages, had numerous musical instruments and other handcrafted items available from around the world.

The culmination of the weekend occured as two college groups from the 1970s, Reunion Vocal Band and Daybreak, each reunited for a back-to-back performance on Saturday night. The dining hall was packed and loud with fans old and new who had gathered to hear the bands. It was evident that all of their members loved the opportunity to gather together again and re-live some of their great memories.

Most EMU students available for comment favored two performers: Jonathan Reuel and Andru Bemis. Some of Reuel's music, most notably the song "Waterfall on Me," was already familiar to many, but his relaxed-yet-exuberant live performance style was new to most, and managed to bring out enthusiasm in the audience. Bemis, a self-described 'wandering minstrel,' entertained crowds with his banjo skills and eccentric style.

Another highlight was the Songwriters Circle that occurred late Saturday night. Eight different musicians gathered in the auditorium and took turns sharing their favorite songs, shooting the breeze, joking, and telling stories. As each one performed, others would at times provide accompaniment on their respective instruments, sing harmonies, or simply close their eyes and listen to their peers.