MD named co-director for 2016 Shawano Folk Music Festival
Chicago’s official troubadour, Mark Dvorak, will be heading back to Shawano, Wisconsin next summer for the 38th Shawano Folk Music Festival, August 12 through 14, 2016. Dvorak was a main stage performer at this year’s gathering, which takes place annually in beautiful Mielke Park each summer.

Each year, an aritst is named honorary "co-director” for the following year’s festival. Dvorak will join Nicole Hanquinet, Becky Van Buren and Rhonda Bellamy in planning the 2016 event.
“2015 marks my twnetieth anniversary of performing and teaching at the Shawno Folk Music Festival,” said Dvorak, who succeeds the trio Brother Sun as honorary co-director. “All over the country, communiites like Shawano are coming together to celebrate and produce their own music and dance events. I am proud to be named the 2016 honorary co-director of the Shawano Folk Music Festival, and thrilled to be a part of the community music movement,” he said.
“The honorary co-director helps us out in immeasureable ways,” said Nicole Henquinet, who has been co-director for three years. “The artists we choose have gained a lot of experience in their travels. By including them in our planning process we able to learn first hand, what artists and audiences may need. We’re always looking for ways to improve our programming, presentation and attendance,” she said.
“Mark was an easy choice. He’s been performing for us for a lot years now, and is regarded as a top performer and educator, but is also a close friend and a member of our musical community. We are sure looking forward to working with him in the coming months.”
For more information on the Shawano Folk Music Festival, visit www.shawnofestival.com. For more information on Mark Dvorak visit www.markdvorak.com.
Download the 2015 Shawano Folk Music Festival program guide here.