The Sessions at
McPike Park
JUNE 16, 17, 18 AUGUST 11, 12, 16, 17
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Grammy winning Aaron Lee Tasjan performs his own individualized version of “indie folk grit,” combining catchy melodies with virtuoso guitar playing. Solo after years of working with a diverse array of musicians from the glam punk band the New York Dolls to Texas country singer Pat Green to the folk-rock act Drivin N Cryin, Tasjan experiments with his love for an older 60s and 70s rock sound. Aaron Lee sings of stress, isolation and modern technology, as well as of gender expression and sexuality (particularly his own), his silky voice moving and encouraging listeners in music a critic calls “an antidote for anxious times.” He will make an encore performance on opening night Friday, June 16th. Quite an entertainer who we couldn't take too seriously last year in crocheted pants.
5:00 The People Brothers Band
6:30 The Cash Box Kings featuring Lee Kanehira on piano (Tokyo)*
8:30 Aaron Lee Tasjan (Nashville)
Bill Roberts Combo on the Chicory Stage
Xiomara Laugart
Xiomara Laugart Sánchez is a Cuban singer currently based in New York City. Before emigrating to the United States, Laugart had an extensive career performing nueva trova music in Cuba and she has recorded over 17 albums.
12:45 Grupo Balança
1:35 "Splash” by Valerie Green and local dancers
2:30 Forro Fo Sho
3:50 The Handphibians w/ Otimo Dance (offstage)
4:30 Grupo Rebulu
5:50 "Splash” by Valerie Green and local dancers
8:30 Xiomara Laugart (Havana, New Jersey)
Chicory Stage
12:00 Aleman*
1:30 Mark Croft and John Vriesacker*
3:30 The Sam Ness Trio*
5:30 The Joel Paterson Quartet (Chicago)*
6:45 The Joel Paterson Quartet
8:30 Pupy Costello and the New Hiram Kings (Milwaukee)*
Isaiah Collier
and The Chosen Few
Isaiah Collier is a Chicago/Brooklyn based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, curator, activist, motivational speaker and educator. Collier is most known for his work as a saxophonist, and in addition to him being a drummer as well. Collier's sound and approach is drawn from the influences of other masters saxophonists such as John Coltrane, Roscoe Mitchell, Wayne Shorter, Ari Brown and Gene Ammons.
Collier has shared the stage with many musicians both locally and internationally. With Artists such as Chance The Rapper,Lewis Nash, Waddada Leo Smith III, Antonio Hart, Junius Paul, James Carter, Rene Marie, Carl Allen, Paul Rogers, Bennie Maupin, Rudy Van Gelder, Angel Bat Dawid and many more.
Collier is also a former fellow of the prestigious Dave Brubeck Institute Stockton,Ca. In addition to being one of the last musician's to work with the late Rudy Van Gelder. The project would later win a downbeat award in 2016 after his passing.
MAIN STAGE Sunday, June 18th
12:45 -1:45-- The Little Earthquakes
2:00 -- 2:20-- James the Magician
2:30 --3:45 –The Lowest Pair (Olympia, WA/ Minneapolis)
4:30--5:45 – The Periodicals
6:30--7:45- The Donna Woodall Group (Milwaukee)
8:30 –10:00 –Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few
CHICORY STAGE Sunday, June 18th
12:15 –1:30 – The Charlie Painter Trio
2:15 –3:30 – Caravan
4:15 – 5:30 – Cris Plata and Extra Hot
6:15 – 7:30 – The Lowest Pair
8:15 – 9:30– The Oshima Brothers (Portland,ME)
Sarah Borges
Sarah Borges is a musician based in the Boston. Her music has been described as "walking that fine line between punk and country. Borges' wide variety of influences are often noted. They range from Dolly Parton, Mahalia Jackson, X, Sid Vicious, Merle Haggard to bubble gum pop.
One way or another, Sarah Borges connects with casual mastery. Whether it’s with the comrades she’s collaborated with over nearly 20 sparkling years of music-making, or the vivid portraits of people’s lives – and occasionally her own – she’s sketched in scores of emotionally resonant songs.
MAIN STAGE: Kiki's Fifth Righteous Session
Stage Sponsors:Willy St. Co-op ; To Benefit: Friends of Ukraine Madison
5:00 The Trapper Schoepp Band
6:30 Ben de la Cour (Nashville)
8:30 Sarah Borges (Boston)
9:45-11:00-- The Mary Mack Comedy Review
In Tent : Sean Michael Dargan
Tim Harmston host, Danielle Thralow Middle, Mary Mack headline.
Chris Pierce
With deep roots in blues, folk, and indie, Chris Pierce provides a perfect backdrop of guitar to his fierce and soaring vocals. With a voice that’s been compared to Ray Charles, Pierce packs powerful messages into song.
Pierce has done worldwide headlining tours and has performed with: B.B. King, Seal, Al Green, Allison Russell, Colbie Caillat, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Jill Scott, Keb’Mo, Blind Boys of Alabama, Aaron Neville & others. His recent album, ‘AMERICAN SILENCE’ garnered critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, NoDepression, SiriusXM, The Bluegrass Situation, AmericanaUK, Acoustic Guitar and others. PopMatters named ‘AMERICAN SILENCE’ THE #1 Best Folk Album of 2021.
Saturday , August 12th
Stage Sponsors: IBEW 159; To Benefit: WORT-FM
1:30 Johnny Chimes*
3:15 The Ghost Particles*
5:00 Adem Tesfaye Band *
6:30 The Chris Pierce Band*
9:45 IN TENT: The Mary Mack Comedy Review
The Whiskey Farm then Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines
Mary Mack Host; Tim Harmston Middle; Greg Coleman headline.
(Sunday, August 13th Rain Date)
Sona Jobarteh
Sona is the first female griot from a 700-year unbroken Gambian lineage. The New York Times describes her as "the virtuoso from one of Gambia's most celebrated musical families."
Wednesday, August 16th – The Sona Jobarteh/Viceroys Select Session
Stage Sponsors: Lauer Real Estate Group; To Benefit: The Native Food Network
5:15 The Viceroys(Jamaica) w/ Roots Renegades (Madison/ MKE)*
6:45 The Viceroys w/ Roots Renegades
8:30 Sona Jaborteh (The Gambia)
In tent: Madison Choro Ensemble*
Bon Bon Vivant
A live performance of Bon Bon Vivant embodies the spirit of revelry and celebration of life, because death is certain. BBV honors this “Bon Vivant” philosophy and the city where they live, New Orleans, with woven stories and a dynamic rhythm section. The band experiments with high energy dance music and dark, sensual melodies with lyrics like "start living now while you've got living left.” This music lives in the duality of enjoying the light because the darkness is always near!
Bon Vivant: a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle appreciating food, drink, and music.
Bon Bon Vivant: Good Good Liver
Thursday, August 17th - The Last ObSession
Stage Sponsors: MG&E; To Benefit: All Groups
5:00 Yid Vicious *
6:30 Sona Jaborteh (The Gambia)
8:10 Sessions Raffle Drawing (main stage front)
8:30 Bon Bon Vivant* (New Orleans)
5:00 MG&E Electric Car Expo
In Tent : Richard Wiegel
The Sessions at
McPike Park
The Sessions are free & volunteer run
The Sessions at McPike Park are free events that benefit 7 non-profits in the community. They each have a day to promote their programs. We funnel funds to these organizations through our raffle, auction, and profit-sharing plan.
local Food & product Vendors
The Sessions features a fine array of local food and product vendors to nourish and delight. This event is family-friendly.
Where is mcpike park?
202 S Ingersoll St, Madison, WI 53703
Located in the heart of the isthmus in Madison, WI, this nearly six-acre park, formerly known at Central Park, was officially renamed in April 2018 at a dedication ceremony honoring longtime East High School principal, Milton McPike.
Get involved!
The Sessions is entirely volunteer-run by a talented Board and volunteers from our non-profit partners and the community. Contact us if you would like to participate!
