Porkies Music Fest delights audience from near and far

By P.J. GLISSON

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SILVER CITY - The 16th annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival returned in style this past weekend, with near-perfect weather helping to draw crowds that filled the slopes of the Porkies Ski Complex.

For a steady schedule of main stage entertainers, a platform was constructed directly behind the ski chalet within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, next to Lake Superior in Silver City.

The crowd came loaded with a variety of hats and paraphernalia, including tents, chairs, refreshments and jackets - some of which was lugged in carts and wagons from the parking lot.

Pumping out endless energy on Saturday afternoon was Armchair Boogie, a bluegrass band that also promises a dose of folk and "funk."

"It's an honor to be in such a beautiful place around my people," said Ben Majeska, who radiated cool on guitar and vocals. "I'd like to come back here every weekend."

The band, which originated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, now tours around the country and had no trouble exciting the audience here.

People who weren't actually dancing in front of the stage were at least bopping their heads, clapping or swaying to the infectious sound that even had cafeteria staff breaking into an occasional jig.

While hanging out inside the chalet, two brothers from Wisconsin's Minocqua area debated which musicians they liked best during the 2-day festival. Jacob Hazelett said that Armchair Boogie was his favorite, while Brian Hazelett said he "really liked" Luke Winslow-King, who had earlier offered a mix of Mississippi blues with a fusion of folk, jazz and rock.

Brian was with his wife, Heather, and Jacob was with his partner, Lauren Stine.

Meanwhile, Rick Knoke of Iowa City, Iowa, was taking repose outside on a metal bench, where he had a great view of the nearby main stage.

"I love it here," said Knoke, who has traveled 450 miles each time to attend the past several festivals.

He said he also enjoys other music festivals but claimed that there's "something special" about the Porkies event. He likes the laid back, spread-out crowd and added of the region in general, "The people up here are fabulous. I've met so many people."

Knoke said the Slambovian Circus of Dreams of New York was his favorite act at this year's festival.

That band was the Saturday night headliner and closing act of the festival.

Its members, along with the audience, were challenged by a short bout of rain as the performance was about to start, but most people took it in stride.

Joziah Longo, on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica, declared that the weather forecast he checked said there would be no rain until 10 p.m. "So this can't be rain," he kidded to the crowd.

Longo, who was dressed in a top hat and long vest, said the band's gig in this region was its last assignment on the current schedule.

"We just did a long tour, but we were looking forward to this festival the most," said Longo.

Evalynn Goldberg, 18, of Duluth, Minnesota, was a front-and-center fan directly before the band, where she was swishing her long skirt to the starting rhythm.

"I've been coming here since I was one," said Goldberg, whose parents have been longstanding fans of the festival, which started in 2005.

Regarding her favorite act this year, Goldberg said, "I really like JigJam." That band was Friday night's headlining act from Ireland, featuring a mix of Americana and bluegrass.

Performers on the smaller, indoor chalet stage also had appreciative audiences. Among entertainers there was Swedish singer Sophia Talvic, dressed in classic festival garb with a pretty print, hippie-ish dress and a floppy hat.

"She was great, man," said one guy to his partner as they left the venue.

On the east side of the ski hill, the busking barn was yet another option for music lovers wanting to enjoy an intimate, rustic setting with musicians who performed without amplification or any other electronic artistry.

My Unknown Brother was among Saturday singers there, strumming his guitar as he crooned.

This year's festival was the first one offered since 2019, with organizers having cancelled the event for the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the interim, they reduced the event - which they tout as "an open-minded music lover's dream" - from three days to two days, with a total of more than three dozen performances that ran from 12:30-10 p.m. each day, staring Friday, along with kids' activities from 1-4 p.m.

Saturday emcee Todd VanDyke of Houghton acknowledged the work of volunteers, who included ticket-takers, traffic and door monitors, stagehands, and a fleet of men in black t-shirts who served as a friendly but vigilant security team.

Regarding festival director Cheryl Sundberg, VanDyke said, "Cheryl does a wonderful job with this, and we appreciate her."

He also noted sponsors including Friends of the Porkies and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

Silver City is about 18 miles west of the village of Ontonagon.