Coming up on November 27, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Wiltsie’s is hosting the first annual Midwest Sounds Music Festival in collaboration with the Independence Township Parks, Recreation and Seniors team.
The festival, being held at the Brady Lodge in Bay Court Park, will celebrate local music talent and feature 10 Michigan musicians in five different acts.
In addition to working with numerous local vendors, the funds from this event will go to directly support grants for local musicians to help them on their journey of becoming professional musicians.
The Wiltsie’s group chose Brady Lodge, a unique 1920’s building, complete with brick archways and a medieval-looking turret tower “as the perfect place to enjoy some incredible music.”
The Midwest Sounds Festival will also feature beer from HomeGrown Brewing Company available for purchase throughout the day. Good from the D & W Street Eatery Food Truck and coffee will be available from Shaded Bloom Coffee Co. Other sponsors include Main Street MI Coworking and Spencer Real Estate.
Wiltsie’s is a Michigan nonprofit organization with the mission of assisting local independent musicians.
It started slowly as casual, impromptu performances by local artists at the local coworking space and has transformed into an organization that helps musicians by providing videography, photography, social media and business consulting, assistance getting music published and helping musicians book paid gigs. Wiltise’s generates funds by hosting small concerts with local musicians and through the support of sponsors.
The group is primarily run by Jackie Pappas, a local singer-songwriter and published musician. Pappas brought her talents and passion to Clarkston in 2019 and since then, has worked with dozens of local artists, including local high school students.
Wiltsie’s musicians have performed at numerous local events, including Family Day at the Clarkston Family Farm, the Clarkston Historical Society’s Art in the Village, Concerts in the Park at Depot Park, and more.
Overall, the entire team at Wiltsie’s works hard to support local businesses and other charitable organizations in Clarkston and the surrounding areas.
Joining in the event for November 27 are Amy Laboissonniere and Lisa Christensen from Independence Township Parks, Recreation and Seniors, Pappas and Amanda Brannan from Wiltsie’s, and Aaron Markovitz, local musician and headliner for the festival with his band Through the Thicket.
The Wiltsie’s group is also committed to the local scene.
Pappas has collaborated with a number of businesses and business owners to ensure Wiltsie’s has a positive impact on the community, while local business owners Paul Angelini and Brandon Still have assisted with organizing the nonprofit.
Wiltsie’s has also supported and been supported by Essence on Main, Independence Township Parks, Recreation and Seniors, Beyond Juice of Clarkston, Shaded Bloom Coffee Co., Spencer Real Estate and Main Street MI Coworking, among other businesses.
Tickets for the festival are only available online on Eventbrite which also has more details, at eventbrite.com/e/172127938297.
— Matt Mackinder

PHOTO: From left, Amy Laboissonniere, Jackie Pappas, Lisa Christensen, Aaron Markovitz, and Amanda Brannan are preparing for the Midwest Sounds Music Festival, which will be held at Brady Lodge on November 27. Photo provided