Charlie Parr captures the intense sound of the folk music of America’s frozen north. His raw voice, lightening finger picking and plaintive but wry songs have made him one of the most important contemporary protagonists of the American folk tradition. Listen for Charlie this Sunday (July 24) on Simply Folk on WPR. And then catch him live at this year’s Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival.

Joe Mullins (2011 Sugar Maple artist) will be on the air tomorrow morning at 10:15 with Chris Powers of the Mud Acres Bluegrass Special on WORT-FM (89.9). Joe will be talking about his upcoming appearance with the Radio Ramblers at the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival. Be sure to tune in!

Chulrua (pronounced cool-ROO-ah) is an internationally acclaimed trio of the most respected and unique exponents of Irish traditional music. Their music, which is comprised of the old instrumental dance melodies of Ireland: jigs, reels, and hornpipes, will transport you to the Emerald Isle and make you dream of Erin. Button accordion icon Paddy O’Brien is a true master and is revered by Irish music aficionados worldwide. Together with Dale Russ (fiddle) and Brian Miller (guitar and vocals) they have almost 70 years of experience performing at community fairs and festivals, colleges and universities, folk clubs, and a variety of other venues—doing concerts, workshops, dances, and school residencies all over the United States. Chulrua concerts are in keeping with the old tradition—music in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, and tunes offered as they were handed down from generation to generation in Ireland. Prepare to be enchanted and delighted. You may even catch yourself doing a jig.

You can catch Chulrua several times during the festival-performing on the Main stage and in a more intimate, workshop setting on the Roots & Reasons stage Friday night!

This marks the eighth year in a row Dave Landau has entertained children of all ages at the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival. Storytelling and performing children’s music are two of Dave’s passions and talents. A former elementary school teacher, Dave has been performing as a full-time musician for the past eight years. A singer and guitarist with Madison based Cork n’ Bottle Bluegrass Band, his musical programs are educational, entertaining, and motivating.

Catch this award winning children’s entertainer at the Roots & Reason Stage both Friday and Saturday.

There’s no two ways about it… this year’s lineup is just plain awesome! Be sure to pick up a weekend pass ’cause there’s multiple helpings of sweet musical goodness for one and all…

This year, The Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival will feature:

Greg Brown w/ Bo Ramsey (Folk-Fri)
Chulrua (Irish)
Bruce Molsky & Big Hoedown (Old-Time)
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (Bluegrass – Sat)
Karl and the Country Dutchmen (Polka! – Sat)
Shotgun Party (Swing Pop Folk – Sat)
The Stellanovas (Jazz Swing – Fri)
Charlie Parr (Blues – Sat)
Dave Landau (Children’s Music)

More great traditional music than you could shake a veritable plethora of sticks at!