Black Hawk Folk Society

06/18/2024

some free live music to stream tonight, Tuesday, June 18.

Birthday Signups, Gorka, Summer Rock & more View as Webpage Stable of Contents This Tuesday: Streaming Tuesday with Zoe Lewis Friday, July 26:John Gorka with Meg Beattie Patrick Start Saving Your Ene

06/17/2024

Black Hawk Folk Society's 36th annual day-long folk festival is coming up fast: Saturday, July 13 in beautiful lakeside Mt. Morris Town Park. (Rain site: Mountain View Community Center.) So many great reasons to attend: An open mic from 10:30 to noon, followed by five fabulous sets of music; yummy concessions served up by the Mt. Morris 4-H Pioneers; a raffle/silent auction fundraiser for BHFS; and a curated arts and crafts fair. Here's a few photos featuring some of these wonderfully talented artists and crafters:

06/16/2024

Here's a ginormous thank you shout-out to Black Hawk Folk Society's sponsors whose generous contributions help make monthly concerts and our upcoming day-long (Saturday, July 13) music festival possible: The Jane Behlen Family, Lyle & Beth Buettner, Conners/Barrett & Company LLC, Louise Coumbe & Janet Scalpone, Frey Family Foundation, Patricia Grant, Dave Gunderson, Paul & Betty Hagan, The Dick Hansen Family, Tim & Elizabeth Holz, Guy & Lauretta Kaplan, Katie Lauritzen & Jeff Anderson, and Barbara Peterson. Interested in supporting BHFS? You'll find more info at

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-shiny day

06/13/2024

It's Thursday--time for another round of Pickin' @ the Post, from 1 - 3 at the Mt. Morris Trading Post Bar & Grill. Music makers are invited to bring an acoustic instrument or two and share some tunes. Music lovers are invited to show up and enjoy! And, here's a reminder: Black Hawk's 36th annual day-long folk music festival is exactly a month away--Saturday, July 13 to be precise--just down (or up) the road at Mt. Morris Town Park. Chances are there will be some Black Hawkers playing music today who will happily sell you your festival tickets!! And we'll leave you with this bit of silliness:

06/12/2024

Black Hawk Folk Society's 36th annual day-long folk festival is just a month away: Saturday, July 13 in Mt. Morris Town Park. So many reasons to go: An open mic from 10:30 to noon, followed by five fabulous sets of music; yummy concessions served up by the Mt. Morris 4-H Pioneers; a raffle/silent auction fundraiser for BHFS; and a curated arts and crafts fair--all in a beautiful lakeside park (no worries, we have a rain site)! Here's a sampling of items created by some of the artisans (and more to be listed soon):

06/10/2024

FYI, no banjos were hurt or damaged to create these images!

06/08/2024

Today's concert by Mark Dvorak will be held at Mountain View Community Center. Start time still 2 p.m. and optional potluck at 1. We'll all stay warm and dry while we're enjoying this amazing performer and we'll let smiles be our umbrellas!! Advance tix for next month's (July 13) day-long festival on sale and for today, the Mt. Morris Town Park stage with its fabulous new artwork remains empty.

06/07/2024

CONCERT HAS BEEN MOVED TO MOUNTAIN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER!!!!!

Black Hawk Folk Society presents singer-songwriter Mark Dvorak tomorrow, Saturday, June 8. Dvorak’s performance is one of Black Hawk’s summer concert series at Mt. Morris Town Park, a beautiful lakeside park, N3847 County Road G, on the edge of Mt. Morris. (Rain site is nearby Mountain View Community Center). The music begins at 2 p.m. and is preceded by an optional potluck at 1.

Dvorak’s read a Bob Dylan biography in high school that launched Dvorak’s lifelong career--performing, teaching, promoting folk music, and building a supportive community for folk musicians. He tours extensively: at festivals, and venues large and small. Dvorak has recorded 20 plus albums, including “Live and Alone,” released this April. After hearing one of his concerts, you will know why he is lovingly known as Chicago’s official troubadour! For more info about this multi-award winning talent or to sample his music, visit www.markdvorak.com.

Again, this is an outdoor concert, so bring whatever you need to enjoy an afternoon outside. Free on-site parking is available; park and restrooms are handicap friendly. General admission at the park entrance. (Adults, $10; 18 and younger, free. Cash or check only.) p.s. This is also a chance to buy your tix for Black Hawk's July 13 day-long fest and save a couple bucks!!

06/06/2024

Here's your music-making and listening reminder: Pickin' @ the Mt. Morris Trading Post Bar & Grill, this afternoon (and every Thursday those fine folks are open), from 1 - 3. A chance for acoustic musicians to share some tunes, for an audience to enjoy them, and a round of fellowship for all!

06/06/2024

This Saturday, 2 p.m. beautiful lakeside Mt. Morris Town Park!!! (You're invited to an optional potluck--bring a dish to pass, your own silverware, plates--at 1 before the concert begins!)

06/01/2024

If you're making a CA road trip and looking for a new guitar....

Come on in. Catch the vibe. Lots and lots of high-end acoustic guitars.

05/30/2024

Wow to this promotion by Mark Dvorak, performing next Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m. Mt. Morris Town Park. Looking forward to hearing him!!

“Too many years ago when I first started studying guitar, my teacher said, ‘You need to go see this guy and you need to get there early if you want to get a seat.”

05/30/2024

Calling all Pete Seeger fans (and those who would like to know more about this social activist and American folk music icon), here's a link to some podcasts you might find interesting and certainly informative!

‎Arts · 2024

05/30/2024

Here's to powering through today's to-do list so you can power over to the Mt. Morris Trading Post Bar & Grill for "Pickin' @ the Post," from 1 - 3. Musicians (and music-lovers who are happy to simply sit and enjoy) are invited to load up a couple of their much loved acoustic instruments and share some tunes. Thursdays (unless the Post is closed)!!

05/26/2024

FYI, in case you didn't make it to Texas (or tune in): Katie and 3 fellow musicians will be performing at Black Hawk's 36th annual day long folk music festival on Saturday, July 13. Paper Birds at 1:10 and 4:45!

https://facebook.com/events/s/kerrville-folk-festivals-grass/430081813222182/ Listen to Katie's tunes some time today (Sunday) between 1 & 4, and enjoy lots of other great musicians, too!

Hello from the Texas hill country, specifically the crazy beautiful hot wonderworld that is the Kerrville Folk Festival. I’m here as a finalist in the storied New Folk Competition, and I play in the 1-4 pm slot tomorrow (Sunday). You can stream it live at the link in comments. 🌵 🎙️

(EDIT: I don’t play all three hours! I play two songs somewhere in the middle.)

05/24/2024

Music festival in Wisconsin's beautiful driftless area, starts Thursday, August 15. The line-up features many mighty fine musicians, including Pat Wiley, a much enjoyed performer at a Black Hawk Folk Society a few concerts ago!!

Get your tickets for the LarryFest Music Festival, located on 60 acres in rural La Farge, Wisconsin. Scenic wooded landscape with rolling hills and a trout stream meandering through the Fish Valley.

05/24/2024

Here's the Bobfest line-up at the Spring Green General Store--please note date moved up to this Saturday, May 25!!!

05/24/2024

DATE CHANGE: Annual music tribute to Bob Dylan at the Spring Green General Store!! Now on Saturday, May 25.

The weather is going to be cold and rainy all day Sunday- so we have switched BobFest 2024 to Saturday May 25th!
We hope that you understand, and we hope that you can come!!
608-588-7070

05/23/2024

Sharing a tune from Lyal Strickand, a performer Black Hawk Folk Society was honored to present a few years back.

05/23/2024

Looking for a great early start to your holiday weekend? Gotta recommend heading over to the Mt. Morris Trading Post Bar & Grill for "Pickin' @ the Post." Acoustic musicians are invited to grab an instrument (or two) and share some tunes with fellow folkies. And it's okay to just sit back and enjoy the music--an appreciative audience is always appreciated! Every Thursday, from 1 - 3, whenever the Trading Post Bar & Grill is open. Here's to a safe holiday.

05/20/2024

For Bob Dylan fans, but not just....this Sunday, May 26, free at the Spring Green General Store!!

05/17/2024

Folk music in Madison this Sunday: Mad Folk presents:
Joe Jencks and Deidre McCalla
May 19, 2024 (Sun) 7 pm (doors at 6:30)
North Street Cabaret, Madison

Ticket link is at www.madfolk.org

Join us for our final concert until the end of summer! This will be a fun show as we bring the amazing Joe Jencks back to our stage, and he brings with him to join him for a night of song Deidre McCalla, who we have been wanting to bring to Madison for awhile. Sunday can't come soon enough!

Bringing the best of folk & acoustic music to the greater Madison, WI area

05/16/2024

🦋 REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Folk+ is a free online music conference happening June 5 - 6 – presented by our Folk Alliance Regions! Networking, panels, songwriting contests, giveaways, song circles... it's gonna be a good time! https://go.folk.org/fb-folkplus24

Our Regions:
Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)
FAR-West
NERFA
Nordic Folk Alliance
Southeast Regional Folk Alliance
Swrfa - SouthWest Regional Folk Alliance

05/16/2024

Steve may show up at today's "Pickin' @ the Post," 1 - 3 at the Mt. Morris Trading Post Bar & Grill.

Go for it, Steve!