National entertainers expected at Big Island Rendezvous and Festival

Published 9:00 am Saturday, September 28, 2019

Throughout the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival, special entertainment is scheduled for the Food Area Stage and throughout the festival grounds, according to a press release.

The Big Island Rendezvous and Festival welcomes Texas banjo man Alan Munde, one of the foremost banjo players on the planet, the release stated. Trischka and Wernick’s “Masters of the 5-string Banjo” featured Munde as one of the 16 top banjo players. Alan Munde is a five-string wizard who has been wooing bluegrass audiences for more than 50 years, the release stated. Munde will play as The Alan Munde Trio, along with rendezvous stage favorites Adam Granger and Dick Kimmel. Thetrio toured Europe in 2015. The Alan Munde Trio will appear on the Food Area Stage Oct. 5 and 6 for one show each day.

The Roe Family Singers from the Twin Cities wins Big Island Rendezvous’ Best Fit Award for Rendezvous Entertainment. Energetic jug band music laced with old-time stringband music is their forte. The Roe’s program focuses on the award-winning husband and wife duo Quillan and Kim Roe. They feature heart-felt singing along with an array of jug-band instrumentation. The Roe Family Singers are featured both Oct. 5 and 6 on the Food Area Stage.

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The fancy footwork from the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers always results in a standing-room-only concert area, the release stated. This traditional dance troupe has been a Big Island favorite since they first graced the stage more than 25 years ago. They provide a fantastic show of energetic traditional dancing, according to the release. The Cloggers perform on the Food Area Stage for one show Oct. 6 only.

Do not miss the heartfelt old-time fiddling of Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains, the release stated, as the Kansas-based duo are both expert fiddlers creating wonderful old-time stringband sounds with the addition of traditional guitar and clawhammer banjo playing. Both musicians are purveyors of the old songs.

Wyoming banjo guru and songwriter Sharon Martinson will appear throughout the rendezvous grounds both days. Martinson plays clawhammer banjo to back her traditional and original songs.

SisterTree from the Twin Cities plays an excellent variety of energetic songs backed by fiddle, guitar and other instruments. Their powerful Irish fiddle music with “DADGAD” guitar backing drives audiences wild, according to the release.

Strangebyrds from Colorado has a traditional Americana sound with a contemporary twist. Expect many original songs enhanced by wonderful arranging and acoustic instrumentation. Strangebyrds will be at the rendezvous both days.

DD & Roscoe is a brother/sister duet from south-central Minnesota. Family friendly traditional songs are sparked by the clawhammer banjo playing and original songs from Danielle Deopere. Deopere’s songs will be featured throughout the rendezvous grounds Oct. 5 only.

Dick Kimmel and Kelly Coyle will minstrel throughout the rendezvous grounds Oct. 5. Minnesota Music Hall of Fame musician Kimmel plays bluegrass, old-time stringband, and folk music. He is joined by duo partner and Kentucky native Coyle, a superb guitarist and singer, the release stated.