Music festival features hot performers, workshops, local food and a bike ride
The fourth Tall Tales music festival, set for East Chestnut Street in downtown Burlington this weekend, is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, according to organizer Patrick Sullivan.
“We have some really special things in store for Burlington on Friday and Saturday,” he said. “I was at Mile of Music Festival in Appleton over the weekend with many of the artists who will be performing at Tall Tales this week.
“They are truly excited to be coming to Burlington to be a part of this special event we have created, and are cooking up some special surprises that will make this year our best festival yet,” he added.
Saturday night headliner Cory Chisel is know for his collaboration with other artists – which is something festival-goers can expect during his show beginning at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, according to Sullivan.
“At this point, all that’s left to do is make sure that we have a great turnout and turn this into a celebration of our wonderful city.”
Sullivan has worked for months to put the ingredients in place to entice that type of crowd. His goal this year is to keep improving the music lineup while drawing greater participation from local businesses and residents.
The festival will run from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12 and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. The section of Chestnut Street from Pine to Dodge streets will be closed to accommodate not just the musicians in attendance, but also the numerous workshops.
This year’s festival will feature “Taste of Tall Tales” food service, with items from local suppliers Zumpano’s, Wilson Meats and Wilson Farms, as well as Iron Grate BBQ out of Milwaukee.
In addition to the food and music festival, the group Bike Burlington will host a bike ride concurrent with the festival, as well as a bike parade and decorating contest. The Big Fat Little White Lie Bike Race begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Little White Lie riders will take a four-mile loop through the streets of Burlington. Big Fat Lie riders will ride on country roads covering 14 miles and looping back to Burlington.
There is no need to register – just show up with a bike and you’re in, according to organizers.
The bicycle decorating contest and subsequent parade begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to the popular music and art workshops done in the past, Jason Seiler – known for his work with Rolling Stone magazine and the newest incarnation of Alice in Wonderland – will host a drawing and illustration demonstration at 2 p.m.
“That’ll appeal to someone who doesn’t want to do a ukulele workshop or a drum workshop,” Sullivan said.
Sound Opinions, a nationally syndicated radio show, will also do a live interview session with Cory Chisel.
In addition to Chisel, Los Colognes returns after a one-year absence, and a number of Nashville and Milwaukee singers and bands will be in attendance.
For more on the festival, visit TallTalesFestival.com.
A complete festival schedule follows.
Tall Tales Music Festival
2016 Schedule of Events
Friday, Aug. 12:
Outdoor Main Stage
4:30 p.m. – Festival grounds open
5 p.m. – William. Wild (Knoxville, TN)
6:15 p.m. – Dori Freeman (Galax, VA)
7:30 p.m. – Trapper Schoepp (Milwaukee, WI)
8:45 p.m. – Cereus Bright (Knoxville, TN)
10 p.m. – Los Colognes (Nashville)
11 p.m. – Festival curfew
The Coffee House Stage
Paulie Matushek (between set performances)
Saturday, Aug. 13:
Workshops and Activities
9 a.m. – Big Fat Little White Lie Bike Race (presented by Bike Burlington)
10 a.m. – Instrument Test Drive (presented by Musicology)
10 a.m. – Paint a Hit Record! (open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
10 a.m. – Arts and Crafts tent (open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
10:30 a.m. – Drum Fun!
12 p.m. – Another Roadside Attraction (presented by the Burlington Public Library)
12 p.m. – Sound Opinions Live, featuring Grammy nominee Cory Chisel
12:30 p.m. – Write a Song with Duke Otherwise!
1 p.m. – Aloha! An Introduction to the Ukulele
1:30 p.m. – Beginner Violin
2 p.m. – Learn to Play the Harmonica
2 p.m. – Jason Seiler Illustration Demo and Book-Signing
2:30 p.m. – Bicycle Parade and Decorating Contest (presented by Bike Burlington)
2:30 p.m. – Intermediate Violin
Outdoor Main Stage
1:45 p.m. – Duke Otherwise (Kids concert)
3 p.m. – Simon Balto, Peter Mulvey, and John Statz
4:15 p.m. – J-Council (Fox Cities)
5:30 p.m. – Erin Rae and The Meanwhiles (Nashville)
6:45 p.m. Los Colognes (Nashville)
8 p.m. – Andrew Combs (Nashville, TN)
9:15 p.m. – Cory Chisel and Friends (Appleton and Nashville)
11 p.m. – Festival curfew
The Coffee House Stage
4 p.m. – John Stano (Milwaukee)
5:15 p.m. – Seasaw (Madison)
6:30 p.m. – Auralai (Oshkosh)
TBD – Carl Anderson (Charlottesville, VA)
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