A pair of performances from the 35th Annual Sioux River Folk Festival highlight this week's show.
The Union Grove Pickers orchestrate a songbook embedded in the rich history of the American position and condition. Their shows are a delectable balance between American roots music, traditional country and blues and originals that blend memorable melodies and haunting harmonies. The Union Grove Pickers, from Sioux Falls, are set to release their third CD, "Scattered and Sown," during a CD release party and concert on March 28 at the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux Falls.
Minnesota's Tree Party has three CDs under their belt. Their most recent, "Iced Over: Thawing Minnesota's Local Lore," as an intriguing collection of stories and local history from some of the North Star State's smaller communities. The yearlong project, aided by a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant, inspired songs like "Dorothy Molter: The Root Beer Lady," "Wrinkle Meat: The 137 Year Old Man" and "John Beargrease: The Fearless Mail Carrier."
Both performances were recorded August 2, 2014 at Newton Hills State Park near Canton. The Sioux River Folk Festival is a yearly presentation of the South Dakota Friends of Traditional Music.