The fifth annual Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival is one of Madison’s most cozy educational events, encouraging close interaction between artists and attendees.

“We started the festival to encourage people to learn from the artists and from each other,” said Evan Murdock, president of the non-profit Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective.

The festival will feature a wide variety of workshops that enable traditional music fans to learn directly from the artists in a relaxed atmosphere. Workshops include: banjo instruction by one of traditional music’s legendary performers, Mike Seeger. Also, Grammy-award winning mandolin player Mike Compton will conduct a workshop on the mandolin styles of Bill Monroe. “This year’s workshops are the best we’ve had yet,” said workshop coordinator Bob Batyko.

The Roots & Reasons Stage will also feature children’s artists Dave Landauon both Friday and Saturday. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. As always, there is space for musicians to get together and jam.