Our mission is to encourage the performance and presentation of folk music in Nebraska, to educate the public on the unique cultural and artistic value of folk music, and to create and promote venues for folk music performances.
PlainSong Folk Festival History
The Plainsong Folk Festival began in the fall of 2002, as a showcase for local musicians and dancers.
The first two seasons were held indoors at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and featured a variety of multi-cultural acts as well as limited cuisine for Festival go-ers. Workshops were also held throughout the day.
The next two seasons were held in an old barn at an orchard just outside Lincoln, with a shift toward national and regional acts and some hometown music and dance, as well as poetry and songwriting workshops, and some space for local artisans.
Another move to a facility just east of Lincoln for the 2006 and 2007 seasons brought a lovely outdoor setting with a gazebo stage, as well as some different cuisine options. Again, nationally known musicians were interspersed with local talent. The workshops continued, as did some limited booth space for local artisans. (Fortunately, there was also seating for inside performances because Nebraska weather can be tricky!)
As lovely as the outdoor setting was, uncertain fall weather for two years brought a reality check to the Festival planners, We need an indoor venue! We're growing the Festival slowly and surely, and an indoor venue brings assurances to both the crowd and the performers that the show will be comfortable for all concerned. So we looked around and then we booked PO Pears late in 2007 for the 2008 Festival. PO Pears was the one of the venues for the 2007 Meadowlark Chamber Music Festival and we were impressed with the expertise shown by Pears.
P.O. Pears closed March of 2008, and that left us without a venue for 2008. After a suggestion from a PlainSong fan, we found a super venue in the historic Havelock area of North Lincoln! We held the festival in the Isles reception hall. It had a wonderful place for the performers but the space limited us to one act at a time and was not conducive to any outdoor activities or workshops. It was indoors, but still not quite what we needed, although the attendees enjoyed the wonderful performers (and the pizza and beer next door!).
The 2009 festival site was moved to the South side of Lincoln to give easier access to the smaller communities around it's rural location while still maintaining a quick access for people in the city of Lincoln. The Sprague/Martell Community Center building provided a wonderful space away from the weather for the performers and artisans while at same time providing plenty of free parking and a great outdoor space with playground for children.
2009 Festival Main Stage
The theme for the 2009 festival was humor
Christine Lavin, Small Potatoes, Lou & Peter Berryman, Lye Soap and Michael Murphy.
Sprague/Martell Community Center, Sprague, Nebraska
Christine Lavin, Small Potatoes, Lou & Peter Berryman, Lye Soap and Michael Murphy.
Sprague/Martell Community Center, Sprague, Nebraska
2008 Festival Main Stage
Pavilion 3 with Karen Ashbrook, Paul Oorts, Steve Bloom, Connie Dover, Skip Gorman and Kusi Taki.
Held at The Isles Reception Hall
6232 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska
Held at The Isles Reception Hall
6232 Havelock Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska
2007 Festival Main Stage
Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Denice Franke, Chris Talley Trio, The String Beans and Nebraska 2 Nashville
held at Country Pines just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska
held at Country Pines just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska
2006 Festival Main Stage
Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Oceans Apart, Kusi-Taki, Terri Jo Dodson, Chris Sayre, Toasted Ponies and Emanon held at Country Pines. Just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska
2005 Festival Main Stage
Special Consensus, Five Mile Chase, Dorian Michael, Marge Saiser – Poet, Phyllis/Bob Dunne,
Capital City Cloggers, Doris Winkler and Tractor Bob – Poet.
Held at an Olive Creek Apple Orchard in Hickman, Nebraska
Capital City Cloggers, Doris Winkler and Tractor Bob – Poet.
Held at an Olive Creek Apple Orchard in Hickman, Nebraska
2004 Festival Main Stage
John McCutcheon, Frank Meyer, Blues Therapy, Edgar Clemens,
Bill Kloefkorn – Poet, Lincoln Irish Dancers and In Your Dreams.
Held at an Olive Creek Apple Orchard in Hickman, Nebraska
Bill Kloefkorn – Poet, Lincoln Irish Dancers and In Your Dreams.
Held at an Olive Creek Apple Orchard in Hickman, Nebraska
2003 Festival Main Stage
Josh White, Victoria Parks, Jubilant Bridge and local musicians
on other stages spread throughout Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska
on other stages spread throughout Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska
2002 Festival Main Stage
Guy Davis and 15 local musicians and acts
on other stages spread throughout Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska
