By Kevin Alan Lamb
Given two hands, two feet, ten fingers, ten toes, and one heart. From purely a logical perspective maybe our hands, feet, fingers, and toes are here to serve our hearts. What we were given as an instrument to deliver what we need. Because things we build, create, and give life to with our hands, would not have an origin story unless they were first born in our hearts. Handmade Music Festival at Showboat Park in Chesaning, Michigan is a miracle born from many hearts. We have the tendency to overlook the most meaningful miracles, but, if you’ve ever borne something from your heart—you have a unique understanding of what it takes to alchemize a feeling into fruition: a longing into legacy; something you hope for into something you can hold.
It means planting seeds without knowing if they’ll ever grow. It means pouring your heart into an elixir that may be here today, and gone tomorrow. It means standing by, and showing up for a set of traditions, beliefs, and events that may change some people’s lives for the better, yet disappear tomorrow because the good fight has less support than you might think.
But despite the challenges showing up and showing out actively presents to most kind and decent people in the world, for the Rupple’s it’s always meant letting your heart be felt, your song be heard, and your kindness find footing in a world where it belongs. Because no matter the outcome, some people understand that to try is more necessary and beautiful than it is to succeed. Yet sometimes, when the hopes and hands of humans who hold good intentions in their heart—refuse to stand by and accept another human’s standard of the way things should be—ordinary miracles are born from the simple yet profound belief that they could be.
“In such times when a country, its cities, and even its little villages can feel divided over so many things, it’s essential to have gatherings like Handmade, where we don’t try to ignore or forget those matters that cause division, but we’re able to boil it all down and see each other for our undeniable similarities; we’re all human (with thee exception of them Chirp bois maybe)
Somehow, someway, the world bought and sold itself on the notion of being in one big goddamn hurry. For too many, time seems to be fleeting, and space to breathe feels like an evaporating commodity. Artists, musicians, and bands can relate to this more than most. There comes a time when each of us must ask if the juice is worth the squeeze, and thankfully some places like Handmade remind us that it is.
“Summer is always a whirlwind for touring bands. Town after town, show after show, sometimes hit after hit. A lighthouse of sorts, Handmade has always been a home at the end of the season to decompress, to slow down and take in the season. Like sitting on a beach at dawn after a storm. The air is always more still, and the view just as good. And who knows what will wash up on the beach” says Chirp who alone knows the privilege of headlining while being the festival’s family band of sorts.
Fall reminds each of us to take a breath, take in nature’s beauty which engulfs us, and take some time to ponder over all of the magnificent happenings we’ve enjoyed the blessing of during our recent days. Even though magic sometimes happens seamlessly, it doesn’t mean we don’t owe at least some of those particular magical seams our intentional acknowledgment, gratitude, and praise.
“If Handmade disappeared, the thing I’d miss most is celebrating all of our artists and their incredible work, and getting to share it with the local community of Chesaning. That’s one of the things that means the most to me; getting a chance to share the talent and beauty we see on the road with the people in our community. I’d miss ending the festival season together in Showboat Park,” says Cole Rupple.
We have the tendency to take the things we love and need most for granted. People like The Rupples, and places like Handmade give me some assurance that we have the ability to grow, and recognize the very things we need to do so.
“To me, Handmade has become an extension of the summer festival season I love so much, one last opportunity to share in the love and kindness I cherish so much, with some of my favorite humans on the planet. It has become a place of importance for our fellow musicians, as our schedules don’t have us bouncing to two or more festivals each weekend, so the fact that so many bands plan their Handmade weekend so they can spend the whole time here is something we’re beyond grateful for. We’ve become such close friends/family, that it makes you miss them as our schedules get ever busier, with more and bigger events, so it’s a huge bonus to have so many musicians altogether overnighting at Handmade,” says Evan Rupple.
Some people only discover their favorite places because their family takes them there and tells them it’s okay to belong. I hope you’ll consider there’s a lot of places that you’ve never been, where you’ll always belong. Handmade Music Festival is one of them.
“For me the festival represents unity. It’s a place where each person leaves the real world at the gate and finds a comfortable space for their hearts to heal, for tears and for laughter, to dance and to hug… surrounded by love. Love of nature, of art, of music and most of all… of human kindness. It’s also really cool and comforting to build something with my children that they can continue when I’m gone. I’m very proud of that. While I do have my favorites, Ive never liked to answer that question because every act is equally important to the overall experience of the festival. But… The Rupple Brothers are always my highlight,” Shelly-Rupple-English says.
It shouldn’t sound like such an original idea to treat people with kindness, love, and respect, with hopes that in return they will feel like they belong. But guess what life’s weird—and right now I think each of us is longing for a little love, nostalgia, and permission to be ourselves in a world having an identity crisis. Music helps us get back to the basics. Music helps us remember why we’re here. Environments that curate good music and good people give us permission to belong.
“We try to pick a lineup that will ultimately offer something to almost anybody who appreciates live music. We haven’t booked edm or hip hop artists since our first year, but we’re always looking and listening, and always open to whatever may move us. Even though we’re family, we’re all overwhelmingly different in our tastes across all categories, as well as being stubborn, insistent, supportive, and wanting to make sure we’re all represented or heard I think opens that possibility up for just about everyone to feel welcome and wanted here. That’s another thing I appreciate so much about my family, which has translated to how we present Handmade; the diversity of people as far as beliefs, lifestyles, age, etc is pretty sweet, which has come from our willingness to accept and respect, and love so many different humans, from so many different walks of life. I’d say everyone, but there are some things that are not tolerable, and we only hope they’re left elsewhere,” Evan Rupple says.
I don’t know about you but I’m tired of listening to ideas and complaints from people who don’t give a shit about other people. People far more intelligent and compassionate than myself helped me learn that it’s really not that difficult to use the gifts you were given, to help look after and improve the lives of others. Faiths that most people study, subscribe to, and raise their children in are entirely based on being open to receive eternal guidance which asks you to do what you can to ensure that others suffer less.
Forty-years in and I still don’t play music, but I do have a decent understanding of using my gifts to help others suffer less. Each of us makes music in our own way, and I genuinely believe that the only reason we’re given an ability to play, is to help lighten the load and elevate others. I could die tomorrow and fulfill promises to gods and forces beyond my perception because for as long as I can remember I’ve listened to the call which asked me to help carry the weight and persist.
Being in the presence and company of good music reminds me that I am not alone. You are not alone. If too long has gone by where you feel like you are, let yourself be loved, appreciated, and bathed in good sounds under the stars along the Shiawassee at Handmade Music in Chesaning. We are in this together and everyone has a place in this story. Music walks and grows by way of addition, hate reduces itself by division. Please be courageous enough to grow and multiply.
A brand new experience awaits you. Just because you haven’t found your people and flow yet, doesn’t mean you’re not about to. Especially as the world insists its chaos and confusion, rebel by walking towards your joy, enthusiasm, and fun.
Yo, get tickets.
By the way, every campsite has a fire pit and firewood is free. It’s fall in Michigan and each of us needs to retreat along the water. Handmade lives along the Shiawassee. My, how each of needs to reprieve and release along and into the river. Quit holding on so tight. Let yourself let go when the time is right. Handmade Music with hearts, hands, and souls when we trust the future is bright. All together now, a syncopated symphony is within site.
Handmade Music Festival FAQ
Where is Handmade Music Festival?
Showboat Park, Chesaning
When do gates open?
Friday 2:00 PM / Saturday 10:00 AM
When does music start?
Friday: Nicholas James 5:00 PM
Saturday: Caitlin Cusack 1:00 PM
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Yes! Tickets will be sold at the gate. Weekend General Admission tickets are $64.23. Friday Day Pass $33.30. Saturday Day Pass $38.45.
Is there camping?
Yes! Camping is included with your ticket purchase on both the general admission day pass and general admission weekend passes.
The campground has electric, bathrooms, and fire pits and is first come first serve.
Kid friendly?
Absolutely! Kids tent on Saturday from 12 to 5, and kids 12 and under are free.
Can I come for only Saturday?
Yes! Saturday passes are $38.45.
Can I bring by dog?
No. Pets are not allowed, but we secretly all wish we had our dogs.
Restrictions?
Please, no glass.
This is a public park – please be mindful and respect regular park rules.
Security?
Yes – there is security, and the local police will occasionally stroll through to check on us and keep us safe! And 6’7 Kevin will put you down if needed =)
Are there fire pits?
Yes! At every site! With FREE firewood.
Are there bathrooms and showers?
You bet! Showboat park has a number of permanent facilities with showers and bathrooms.
Are the stages covered?
Yes! Both stages are under a giant tent and can be enclosed if needed.
ATM
Not on site. There are many in town though, which is 5 minutes away.
Beer?
Bring your own.
Public park rules.
More questions?
Feel free to message us!
This Is A Good Sound 