By Kevin Alan Lamb
An eight-thirty departure from Charlevoix en route to Beaver Island. Blue-skies and sunshine to accompany a two-hour ferry ride, along with the Black Pearl — my 2010 Ford Flex — making her first trip to America’s Emerald Isle. If this is the first you’re hearing of the magical 55.8 square mile island in Lake Michigan — you’re welcome — and perhaps it is time for you to answer the call and do something you’ve never done before.
“Beaver island is disconnected from the rest of the world. It’s like this Truman Show place where everyone waves when they drive by. It’s a beautiful little time capsule in the middle of Lake Michigan,” says Stephanie Williams, drummer of the Kansas City roots rock band Katy Guillen & The Drive.
We are adventurous spirits, too often denying ourselves the very air and fresh water we need to breathe to be free. Largely inhabited by the Irish, with roughly 600 year-round-residents, Beaver Island is the largest and only inhabited island in an eight island Great Lakes archipelago. With a unique and complicated history involving holy tablets, a Mormon theocracy, and the assassination of a king (King James Strang), time slows down on Beaver Island where her natural beauty knows few rivals.
Each year on the same weekend in July (18-20), a couple thousand people travel by ferry, and puddle-jumping-planes to indulge in the enchanted wonders of Beaver Island and its family-friendly music festival. Produced by executive director Carol Burton and her family on their property in the heart of Lake Michigan, Beaver Island Music Festival (BIMF) was founded in 2003 by a small group of people who had a vision. Their vision was to bring talented musicians and artists to make “Music in the Woods” to the island.
Due to this unique Michigan festival’s increasing growth and popularity, BIMF established itself as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 2013.There are three stages: all side-by-side with curtains to cover changeovers, while attendees enjoy the comfort and convenience of setting up their chairs, coolers, and blankets in a single location where they may tune into every set of music, if it is their desire.
“I’m proud of my family, my children Nathan, Cameron, Emily, Elsie, and Olga. Living out here has kept us close,” says Dan Burton. “That’s what the island can do is keep you grounded to see what’s important like family, love, and kindness. As far as the music festival, it’s our way of spreading that love and energy to help show that we can all be part of this together. Life’s too short to argue and think about what could have been. I’ve always tried to pay attention to what could be.”
Burton first visited 45.7454° N, 85.5224° W as a young kid with one of his childhood friends, Shane Wood, who remains one of his best friends still today. His family is from the island and they visited as often as they were able.
With temperatures peaking in the mid seventies, and dipping to the low sixties, conditions are dreamy for camping, dancing under the stars, exploring shipwrecks, and being serenaded by stringed instruments aside a blazing fire.
“There’s something about beaver island that feels so detached from the rest of the world, but in a completely freeing and spiritual way,” says Brady Lott of Flint’s Alt/Pop Rock band Heat Above. “In the mornings we would step outside and just sit under the sun, and the only sound was the rustling of the trees and the singing of birds. Beaver Island has brought us closer as a band, but also as friends. I think there’s something deeply inspiring and spiritual about this island, and I would love to come back.”
A good friend recently reminded me of the value of tone and timing, both of which seem to unfold serendipitously for those curious and courageous enough to embark on the northern Michigan trek.
“The loving supportive communal manner of the island is something that makes you feel taken care of and accepted. I’m moved by the sweetness of the community here,” Katy Guillen says. “Ever since my first visit to the island in 2016, I instantly connected with the entire energy and spirit of Beaver Island. We have dear friends who we love on the island that we met through music. The magic is unexplainable, only felt.”
There’s something to be said for trusting your heart, especially if you hope to arrive somewhere you’ve never been. Rumi says, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”
Some people and places have a more direct ability to remind us that we are exactly where we are meant to be, blessed with abundance, inspiration, and the organic healing remedy that only nature can provide.
“I was moved by the sense of community that I felt at the music festival in particular, but also all around the island as people would recognize us and compliment us, and it felt very genuine. I haven’t had an interaction here that felt forced or uncomfortable. I think the biggest thing we took from our time here was the reminder to slow down and appreciate the process of life as we go along. As I stated before, our friendship and band relationship has improved massively since being here, and we’re all incredibly grateful for that.” Brady Lott says.
The life of a touring musician is a dichotomy of beauty and struggle; not always providing the space, time, and proper rest to heal and flourish. BIMF is far enough away that attendees may similarly grasp the logistical commitment touring requires, and remote enough for artists to temporarily let go of the coming days, weeks, and months of shows ahead.
Throughout the weekend attendees and artists enjoyed live music during the day in town at venues like Wild Strawberry Cafe, Shamrock, Whisky Point, Print Shop Museum, Breakfast Club, and Daddy Franks where a couple hundred people gathered on Saturday, and partook in what was likely their first clogging workshop amidst a performance by Adrian and Meredith.
“The life of a touring musician is a grind,” says Adrian Krygowski of rogue-folk music duo and band Adrian and Meredith. “It is canceled flights, late hotel check-outs by cleaning crews, and hauling gear from location A to B. Weekends like Beaver Island where we can enjoy life like the other attendees: going swimming in Lake Michigan, eating ice cream at Daddy Franks, and shopping on Main Street are what keep us going!”
“Dance/clogging and music has always gone hand in hand,” says Meredith Krygowski. “As the dancers in the audience can agree! Dancing provides a story just like any other instrumentation in the band, as well as facilitates a way to enjoy the music!”
Children, puppies, and adults of all ages rose from their chairs to learn the joy of foot percussion, dating back to Medieval Times, native to the Netherlands.
“Beaver Island is a special place. Dan and Carol have created a wonderful experience for both attendees and bands! Everyone’s ready for a good time of dancing and enjoying life all weekend. Having the daytime to explore the island before music starts in the afternoon, gives everyone the best of both worlds!” Meredith says.
Central to the flow between work and play at BIMF are the kind, loving, and generous volunteers who open their homes and hearts to accommodate artists and their crew. Just ask Nathan & Jesse — the jazzy folk duo from Temecula, CA, who were stranded in Grand Rapids without accessible transport to Beaver Island — until Helen and Rich Emerson let them drive their second car which sat in the garage in nearby Grattan, MI.
Things (that are meant to) have a way of working out, and along that way we learn that it’s with the help of people like Helen and Rich, who explain what the experience means to them.
“Pretty hard to explain, but it starts with the journey,” Rich says. “The first step on the boat puts you in another state of mind. Being around so many people that are there for the same purpose: to just enjoy the island and what it has to offer. I’ve never felt so comfortable, everyone is just so frickin happy there!”
Music and nature are the best medicine; combine them, and allow yourself to receive the blessings coming next.
“I get moved by the music. Not just listening to it, but the stories from the artists and how moved they are to be there. They feel the magic, too,” Rich says.
Perhaps it is also time for you to fall in love?
“I visited Beaver Island in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the feeling of being here,” says Miki P of Katy Guillen & The Drive. “There’s something magical in the vibrations of this island that I’ve yet to experience anywhere else. It’s an incredibly special place.”
While Beaver Island is the only place in the United States to ever have a king, everyone is treated like royalty there these days.
“I was moved by the generosity and kindness of the locals on the island! I’ve felt welcomed into this tight knit community with open arms,” Stephanie Williams says.
If you are reading these words I hope you understand how far your kindness travels, and the depth to which your generosity and love resonate. Beaver Island Music Festival reminds each of us that the best way to make a friend is by being one, and that no matter how hectic and out of balance the world may feel, we can always slow down, retreat to nature, music, family, and better love one another.
“There’s a sense of community and generosity here that’s unmatched. If the rest of the world lived like the folks on Beaver Island, it’d be a pretty perfect place,” Miki P says.
This Is A Good Sound 