Unnamed Stream was one of many local bands to impress audiences at the fourth annual Radio Waves Music Festival in the Grand Marais Recreation Area Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12, 2011. Some groups were made up of new combinations of local musicians who have previously been in other bands with other names. (L-R) Barbara Jean Johnson, Bump Blomberg, and Eric Frost. They were playing with Jessa Frost and Bill Hansen.
Area residents and visitors of all ages came together for two days of music this past weekend at Sweetheart’s Bluff in Grand Marais as part of the fourth annual Radio Waves Music Festival, sponsored by WTIP North Shore Community Radio and the North Shore Music Association.
The festival took place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 – 11. It featured a full line-up of North Shore musicians, including: North Shore Community Swing Band, Al Hedstrom and Don Bauer, Blueberry JAAM, Drew Heinonen, Yvonne Mills, Bob Curry Family Band, Paul H. Pederson, Midwest Assembly, Trails End Band, skyBLUEtrio and the ORANGEgirl, Zabobo, Cook County’s Most Wanted, Bicycle Army, The Pete K Group, Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling, Critter du Jour, Unnamed Stream, Amanda Hand, and Portage. The line-up offered a variety of genres from rock to folk, jazz, swing and country.
Paul Pederson’s bluesy style is always a crowd-pleaser. The sound of his guitar is as rich as his voice.
More than 1,000 people came through the gates over the two days. The modest $5 admission per adult helped offset the cost of staging the festival; the rest was covered by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. “It’s important to note that Radio Waves isn’t a fundraiser for us,” says Deb Benedict, WTIP’s executive director. The festival is designed as a community event, bringing people together to enjoy the extraordinary talent and diversity of the area.
Radio Waves was started in 2008 to celebrate WTIP’s 10-year anniversary. Originally, the festival was going to be a single event, but there was such tremendous response that WTIP chose to keep it going. It was also important for WTIP to establish partnerships to help make the festival a community celebration. “Last year,” says Benedict, “the North Shore Music Association joined us, and did so again this year. This year, we also worked with North House Folk School on the dates, so that their Unplugged event is part of 10 days of music on the North Shore.”
Face painting was very popular among the young festival goers. Many of the children had their faces painted at least once. A kids’ tent offered numerous activities that delighted the children, such as coloring, making bead necklaces, and weaving.
Mark your calendars: the fifth annual Radio Waves Music Festival will take place the weekend after Labor Day 2012. More information about WTIP North Shore Community Radio and the Radio Waves Music Festival is available at www.wtip.org. Information about the North Shore Music Association is available at www.northshoremusicassociation.com.
David Grinstead (L) and Marco Good performed during the open mic time slot on Sunday afternoon. Numerous other musicians took advantage of this opportunity as well. Kudos to the intrepid performers who were willing to get up in front of the crowd.
Emery Oberg expressed her joy through dance as she listened to the festival music. Little girls enjoyed the dance stage more than any other group.
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