We couldn’t be more excited to learn about a brand new festival coming to Marquette, just in time to help chase away the winter blues.

It’s touted by its organizers thusly: “To celebrate Marquette’s love of both winter and music, a group of the city’s non-profits have joined forces to create a new kind of music festival.”

That will be the The Winter Roots Festival which will be a day-long event featuring performances by regional folk and blues musicians, workshops and a performance by the Marquette Symphony Orchestra.

As announced this week, events will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at three venues: Peter White Public Library, Ore Dock Brewing Company and the Marquette Commons.

In the evening, there will be a special concert by the MSO.

That will include a performance of the composition “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” featuring the group Westbound Situation, in the evening at 7:30 p.m. in Kaufman Auditorium.

A $10 Winter Roots Festival button is good for entry to all venues during the day.

That’s a wonderful bargain when you consider the day includes the chance to learn at workshops from the likes of Papa Crow, hear some great tunes from groups like the Flat Broke Blues Band or singer-songwriters like Troy Graham, and witness traditional folk dancing done to music from The Knockabouts and others.

Wow. Talk about an awesome way to forget how tough this winter has been thus far.

Buttons can be purchased at the door or in advanced from the Hiawatha Music Co-op office, Peter White Public Library or the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center. Children under the age of 12 are free.

The button does not grant admission to the concert by the Marquette Symphony Orchestra concert that evening.

Tickets for that event can be purchased at www.nmu.edu/tickets or at all EZ ticket outlets.

The Winter Roots Festival is sponsored by: Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University; Hiawatha Music Co-op; Marquette Symphony Orchestra; Peter White Public Library; Travel Marquette; City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center; Marquette Area Blues Society; Marquette Downtown Development Authority and Ore Dock Brewing Company.

Thanks to all who have organized this wonderful day of music, dance and fun. We are looking forward to it already.