10th Annual Rush River Folk Festival at Vino in the Valley

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Music fans and others who love outdoor events in Wisconsin will assemble in Maiden Rock for the 10th Annual Rush River Folk Festival at Vino in the Valley. For 10 years, a collaboration between Vino and the Valley and Davey J has been enjoyed by music fans in Western Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota, and beyond! Taking place on September 2nd, 2023, check out this lineup!

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
12pm (noon) Vino in the Valley opens to guests:
Lucas Fischer and Billy Angell: 1 – 2:30 pm
Garden Party: 3 – 4:30 pm
Paul Lawrence and Lucas Fisher:  5 – 6:30 pm
Davey J and Jen Hazen: 7 – 8:30 pm

We enjoy hosting this event each year. As in the past you can count on great food, local and regional wines and craft beer, and some awesome musical vibes! The Rush River Folk Festival is the perfect event to bring summer to a close and kick off the last holiday weekend of the summer season.

There is no cover charge for admission. Families, couples, groups, and new visitors are all welcome to attend the event. You’ll find our facility is easily accessible by car or motorcycle, with plenty of parking.

Now, let us share about the musical talent featured at this year’s event…

Davey J Appears at the Rush River Folk Festival 2022The headlining musical act is Davey J (David Jones), the founder of the Rush River Folk Festival. Davey J (David Jones) is a well-loved veteran performer in Western Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley, writing songs, leading bands, and performing live across our region for almost 25 years. Jen Hazen is Davey’s primary singing partner in the area, an energetic and experienced stage performer with Jenny and the Jets and Weapons of Brass Destruction, along with her great performances with Davey J. Songs will be featured from Davey’s most recent CD recording, 2020 Blue (2021), his hit CD Chippewa Love (2015), and other originals and well-known songs. Davey J and Jen Hazen give the crowd versatility and smooth, passionate delivery across the genres of folk, blues, rock, and reggae, driven by Davey J’s signature rhythmic style of acoustic-electric guitar.


Leading off the festival is Lucas Fischer and Billy Angell, both well-established musicians in Western Wisconsin. Lucas’s guitar and vocals are heard in several band projects he has led, including Rhythm Posse and Lucas and the Cool Hand Saints. He combines original songwriting with classic rock, blues, and Americana selections. Billy Angell is a keyboard player with a virtuoso style, heard in JT’s Party Band, Jenny and the Jets, and other stage performers in our region.  He is always in demand for session playing because of his skill in the genres of rock, blues, and jazz!

Garden Party Will Perform at the Rush River Folk Festival 2022At 3 pm, Garden Party will take the stage in their first appearance at Rush River. They are a trio who originally met as players in the Ukelele Club of Eau Claire, finding that their musical ties went deep. The members include Tom Lockhart on bass, Teresa Jolivette on ukulele, and Marjorie Cramer on guitar, with sweet harmonies blending with their tasteful acoustic sound. Folk, pop, and Americana are some of the genres you will hear in performances by this warm and polished acoustic combo.  As a relatively new musical combo around the Eau Claire area, Garden Party is now well established as one of the most tuneful acts you will hear in the Chippewa Valley music scene.

At 5 pm, blues and folk performer Paul Lawrence joins the Rush River lineup for the first time. Lucas Fischer will provide melodic support on acoustic and electric guitar. Paul is a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter from Minnesota. He plays original folk-country-blues with versatility and depth of feeling. He is recognized across the region for the quality of his performances, as mentioned in the media coverage below of his sound:

“Paul Lawrence has an earnestness and simplicity in his sound that is so refreshing! Moments come to life through his storytelling and you just want more.” – Jeni Holtan Grouws, 100.5 FM, KDEC, Decorah, IA

 

The 10th annual Rush River Folk Festival will provide an awesome day of music, food, and friends. Please join us on Saturday, September 2, from noon to dusk, for a free festival experience to be remembered.

Find more details on our website, follow the event on Facebook, and share with your friends!