Music and dance stages are sponsored by the City of East Lansing, with more than 50 performances throughout the weekend. Here's a look at the preliminary music line-up:

Beyond the Pale, Klezmer -- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Cottars, Celtic -- Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nadim Dlaikan Ensemble, Middle Eastern -- Dearborn, Michigan
Feufollet, Cajun -- Lafayette, Louisiana
Wayne Hancock, Juke Joint Swing -- Austin, Texas
Peter Hedlund, Swedish Nyckelharpa-- Vallsta, Sweden
Hellenic 5, Greek -- Chicago, Illinois
Ron Likovic, Slovenian Polka -- Cleveland, Ohio
Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big-Timers, Lafayette, Louisiana
Los Texmaniacs, Tejano -- San Antonio, Texas
Lovell Sisters, Bluegrass -- Calhoun, Georgia
Phava, African-American Gospel -- Chicago, Illinois
Roots Vibration, Caribbean -- Detroit, Michigan
Samite, Ugandan -- New York, New York
Aditya Verma, Indian Sarod -- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Cedric Watson, Creole Fiddle -- Lafayette, Louisiana

See the GLFF website for more information: http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net/What%27sNew/

Music program notes: A Louisiana-themed music block includes Cajun, Creole and Zydeco together at the event for the first time. GLFF truly showcases tradition: Lil' Nathan is the son of Nathan Williams of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas who performed at the 2002 event. Feufollet, a high-energy Cajun group and crowd favorite from 2002, makes a return visit to East Lansing.

Karim Bader, oud (lute) player with the Nadim Dlaikan Ensemble is the recipient of a 2006 Michigan Heritage Award, the state's highest award for artists who continue traditions with excellence. Bader will receive the MHA at a special program during the festival weekend.

Roots Vibration returns for more. Due to another out-of-town engagement last year, the group was only able to perform one slot at the 2005 festival and they will bring more Caribbean sounds to the festival weekend this year.

A new "Meet the Artist" slot has been added at the Legacy Stage, giving the audience a chance to hear artists in a more intimate setting from the bigger stage venues across the half-mile site.

Additional musical artists will be booked throughout the spring. See the festival web site (http://www.greatlakesfolkfest.net) for bios and background on these artists representing diverse musical traditions and cultural roots from Michigan, the Great Lakes and beyond.

Additional program notes: GLFF planners from the MSU Museum are also working with City of East Lansing officials on a couple of modifications to the site. With a construction project at the west end of Valley Court Park, the Children's Folk Activities Area will be relocated nearer to the center of the downtown site.

The City Hall Stage will be shifted from the city hall parking lot into Abbott Road, allowing for additional seating and overflow area, and anchoring the north end of the site.

Traditional games and demonstrations are also in development.

This award-winning event is recognized as one of the state's premiere arts programs and a summer-time high point. The festival is a one-of-a-kind fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, hands-on activity workshops, living museum exhibitions, and celebration of multi-ethnic heritage.

Admission to the Great Lakes Folk Festival is free. Festival hours are: Friday, Aug. 11, 6 - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 12, 12 noon - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 13, 12 noon - 6 p.m.

Primary financial support for GLFF comes from the City of East Lansing, Michigan State University Office of the Provost and University Outreach and Engagement, and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Nearly 100 corporations, foundations and organizations also support GLFF annually, as well as individual donors, "Great Friends."

August 13-15, 2004
Great Great Lakes Folk Festival