Back Shed String Band
Saturday, June 12th at the Market

The Bramble Jam
Sunday, June 13th at the Market

   The Bramble Jam is a group of parents and musicians who've been writing and recording music for kids and families. Their first album is a collection of 14 songs (+ a bonus track), produced in Bethelehem, New Hampshire. It's a rock -n- roll album with a ton of different influences. These musicians wanted to craft some kids music that was more for families and just plain fun. No lessons or messages, no sing-song repetition, no preservatives or high fructose-modified-hydrogenated anything. Real music that parents (or grandparents) and kids can just listen to and enjoy. They wrote each song from scratch and all the inspiration came from just living life with their kids. Their unique challenge was picking up a pencil long enough to write it down! . Click for excerpts from their CD. CDs will be for sale on our Concert Sponsorship table during the days of the Lupine Festival Market.
  Take a minute to listen to their song clips and you'll see why we are excited that they are planning to play at our Lupine Festival. The songs are real life: Jack could be the mutt, Molly, that I'm always chasing around . . . Mom Has Lost Her Marbles . . . and her keys that's really close to home . . . and the idea of chickens playing soccer tickles my funnybone because I really can see it!

Maple Leaf Seven
Saturday, June 19th at the Market

    This local band keeps "Tappin' Time." The Maple Leaf Seven, the Northeast Kingdom's own traditional jazz band, provides traditional "dixieland" and classic swing for northern New England jazz lovers and dancers. Maple Leaf Seven features traditional and contemporary interpretations of jazz standards on clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and drums. They were founded in 1977 by jazz lovers in St. Johnsbury, VT. In the succeeding 33 years the band has played numerous concerts, weddings, parties, anniversaries, and numerous other celebrations in our area. The band has traveled as far as Medford Lakes, NJ and Cortland, NY for engagements. Musicians for most Maple Leaf Seven engagements include Ron Ducham, clarinet; Jim Torres, tenor sax; Sally Fishburn, trumpet; Marty McRae, trombone; John Goodrich, piano and tuba; Phil Brown, bass and vocals; and Gary Aubin, drums.
   Maple Leaf's newest CD, "Sweet Jesus" will be released in June 2010 and will feature spirituals, hymns and gospel numbers performed in the band's inimitable swining style. Led by church musician Phil Brown, Maple Leaf Seven is also known for their series of "Dixieland" worship services. These services are held annually in Peacham and St. Johnsbury, VT and have been offered in churches throughout New England. Maple Leaf Seven's earlier CD, "Tappin' Time" includes traditional jazz tunes along with swing numbers. Sample tracks can be heard on the band's web site at www.stjjazz.org. CDs will be for sale on our Concert sponsorship table during the Lupine Festival Market.
   The Current 2010 Band Schedule:
June 12 - Littleton, NH: Summerfest Parade
July 4 - Peacham Congregational Church, Peacham, VT: Dixieland Worship
July 4 - Fairlee, VT: 4th of July Parade & Concert
July 17 - Irasburg, VT: Irasburg Church Fair
July 18 - St. Johnsbury South Congregational Church, VT: Dixieland Worship
Aug. 7 - Danville, VT: Danville Community Fair
For more information or to have the band play for your function: www.stjjazz.org
or call Phil at 803-748-8150.

Uncommon Folk
Sunday, June 20th at the Market
      This concert will start at 1 pm.

  Does this group look familiar? They decided to give their group a new name! Last year at the Lupine Festival, we called them, Not the Best; this year, they are Uncommon Folk! No more "Who's on First" routines with their name!
    Way back when, these three musician friends were practicing around a woodstove in the hills of Vermont. When it came time to think up a name, they knew that having fun was more important than being perceived as anything fancy; so they chose the name, "Not the Best." Over the years, they've had fun with the name but it was time to move on, so they began 2010 with a new name!     They continue to have fun as they play an eclectic blend of music from folk, to toe-tapping fiddle tunes, to bluegrass, and even a little bit of country thrown in. The three are: Tom Bishop on old-time banjo, big bass fiddle, harmonica, & baritone vocals and Paul Amey on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, & baritone/tenor vocals. Paul is also good at sharing a story or two. Another big change this year is that Samantha Fixter is now Samatha Fixter Amey. Sam & Paul wed in March and, not surprisingly, had Tom perform the ceremony for them. Sam finger picks guitar, plays big bass fiddle, hammer dulcimer, and sings soprano. Sam, Paul, and Tom have a soft spot in their heart for Sugar Hill and our Lupine Festival. We're looking forward to a wonderful concert at the Lupine Festival, because they are preforming the day before in northern Vermont; we'll give them a bit of extra time to drive back to our area and start their concert at 1 pm.

   We enjoy this band every year during our Lupine and Autumn Festivals. Paul is being deployed to Iraq with Army National Guard in September so they will not be able to play at our autumn festival.They are a "fun" group and really enjoy playing together . . . and the fun bubbles over into the audience and since we won't have them play this autumn, make sure you take in this June 20th concert. Sam also usually takes a few minutes at the end of the concert to demonstrate and answer questions about her hammer dulcimer. There is also a rumor that Uncommon Folk may have their debut CD available at the Lupine Festival!
   If you'd like more information about their concert schedule or have them play for you, click here to e-mail "Sam".

Joseph Hansalik, Sugar Hill

Last year, Joseph treated us to his wide variety of musical tastes on the Baby Grand Piano at the Meetinghouse!. Joseph is a talented Sugar Hill "sons" and in 2008, the North Country Chamber Players honored Joseph with their mentoring award. He's studying Music Compostition at Ohio State. He played your favorites, his favorites, and an original composition during his concerts! He likes it when the market days are rainy because he enjoys playing on the baby grand piano more than his keyboard outside. It's too early to know if he'll be able to play at our 2010 Lupine Festival but he assures me that if he's in the area, he wants to play a bit for us.

The Market Festival Concerts were possible thanks to the following great sponsors. If you have a chance, please thank them for their generosity, especially during this trying year for businesses!   Without these sponsors, none of the market concerts would of been possible.. We've also provided a link direct to their websites so you can learn more about each of these businesses and the generous souls behind them.

Building Alternatives - Franconia

Polly's Pancake Parlor - Sugar Hill

Presby's Construction - Sugar Hill