This event takes place in Crooked Tree Art's Center - Petoskey's Theater but is hosted by Blissfest Music Organization. Please contact Blissfest for all inquiries and ticket sales.
Hosted by Courtney Kaiser & Tim Jones Featuring Luke Winslow-King and 1000 Watt Prophets. An annual favorite, the Winter Solstice is about as close to “halfway to Bliss” as we can get! The evening is a special time to gather and get a mid-year dose of our favorite festival feelings.
HOSTS: As a performer and songwriter, Courtney Kaiser has more than fifteen album credits on iTunes including with her band Kaiser Cartel and two solo albums. Her original songs have been heard on multiple film and television placements (Bored to Death, Liberal Arts, Private Practice, and more) and has worked alongside high-profile artists including John Mellencamp, The Wallflowers, Sufjan Stevens, Tracy Bonham, Petra Haden, Yuka Honda and Sean Lennon. Courtney has toured all over the United States and Europe with her band as well as with some of the artists above. She is a classically trained vocalist and has studied the Hindustani style of classical Indian music and southern African Folk music.
As an educator, Courtney Kaiser-Sandler has been teaching music for over 20 years, pioneering music programs for the Blue School (NYC), Brooklyn Heights Montessori School (NYC) and created the songwriting program which has evolved into her leading a larger Contemporary Music Program at Interlochen Center for the Arts
Tim Jones is a powerhouse vocalist and “Chauffeur of Soul” who has contributed to hundreds of records including collaborations with Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket. He has written over 100 published songs for his own projects and artists like Shelly Fairchild, Jaime McLean, Tony Lucca, Erin Viancourt, Szlachetka, Emily West and Nicki Bluhm. He has also led songwriting workshops with Art of Elysium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Alive Hospice, Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, Interlochen Center for the Arts, CreatiVets and Stories That Heal with Molly Sturges.
LUKE WINSLOW-KING brings an eclectic mix that combines Mississippi delta blues, folk, traditional jazz & roots rock & roll. His alchemical songs blend contemporary ideas with styles from bygone eras producing a sound that is rustic & urbane, elegant & entirely his own.
In addition to recording seven studio records in the last decade, he has toured extensively in North America and Europe, sharing the stage with Taj Mahal, Jack White, Little Freddie King, Rosanne Cash, and Pokey LaFarge. He has appeared on notable stages such as Austin City Limits, Jazz Fest, Azkena Rock Festival (Spain), Tønder Festival Paradiso (Netherlands), Maverick Festival (UK), and countless more. (Luke Winslow-King’s band) is one of the most professional, staunchly original, and true-to-their-core bands working today. — American Songwriter
“Steeped in the muddy Delta blues…” — Consequence of Sound
“…he demonstrate[s] a wide range of songwriting worthy of comparison to Jason Isbell andJohn Fullbright.” — Austin Chronicle
1000 WATT PROPHETS Introducing themselves as purveyors of "Soulful Americana," 1000 Watt Prophets was born from the musical partnership of Zak Bunce and Denny Richards. The group fearlessly fuses Soul, Americana, Blues, R&B, Rock, Jazz, and Gospel elements, both in their original compositions and their captivating renditions of deep cut covers and a few beloved classics. With years of performing together under their belts, Zak and Denny's harmonious vocals blend seamlessly, while their almost mystical musical connection sets them apart from their contemporaries.
This concert is a part of Downtown Sound, a collaboration between Crooked Tree Arts Center and Blissfest Music Organization. The 16-show concert series in Downtown Petoskey features nationally touring acts and local favorites from Michigan's vibrant music scene and is held in CTAC's 220-seat theater.
