MennoFolk Comes to Burg

Musical festival Mennofolk returns, coinciding with homecoming, across the EMU campus and Harrisonburg community with its wide range of musical performances.

Mennofolk began as a musical outreach to young adults in Ontario. Since then, it has developed into an annual music festival and has spawned four additional locations. This year the Harrisonburg Mennofolk will be held in downtown Harrisonburg and on the EMU campus and coincide with homecoming.

The event will run Friday night, Oct. 13th through Saturday, Oct. 14th. The Friday night concerts will take place at downtown venues including the Artful Dodger, Daily Grind, and The Little Grill. The Saturday concerts take place on the EMU campus at Martin Chapel, Mainstage Theater, and the Greeting Area of the Campus Center. Saturday night is the featured concert, Over the Rhine, and takes place in Lehman Auditorium.

Mennofolk features a wide range of acoustic genres and instruments. Although song topics vary widely, many can be tied to themes of justice, peace, and compassion. This year's tour features Over the Rhine, a nationally known husband/wife duo who began recording in the late '90s and has released ten albums. Their achievements include opening for Bob Dylan, being heard on TV dramas such as Third Watch, and appearing on international compilations alongside such artists as Coldplay and Radiohead. Other bands on the roster include local talent from Dapha Creek, Katie Grove Band, Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, and the ever-popular Sons of the Day. The festival will conclude with an open mic session at 11 pm on Saturday night at the Common Grounds.

Many EMU students attended Mennofolk last year, and are anticipating its return. Its location on EMU's campus instead of the EMHS campus and connection to homecoming will likely increase student interest this year. Commented Rebecca Souder, sophomore Art major, about last year's Mennofolk, "it was fabulous, there were quite a few people who attended, and there was always something exciting to listen to."

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the EMU box office, Red Front Supermarket, or at the door. Tickets for the Saturday shows are $12. Tickets for the Over the Rhine performance are $12 individually or $8 if purchased in conjunction with an all-day ticket.