Show your support for the McMillan Concert Series by collecting our new buttons! Buttons for the whole '25 series are available at each of our self-checks. We'll also have buttons for each artist available only at that concert, so come to each show to collect the entire series!
Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 7pm -- LJ Booth and Chris Kokesh Central Wisconsin songwriting genius L.J. Booth and the amazing Chris Kokesh return to the McMillan Library Concert Series. L.J. Booth’s four recordings of original songs have won him the admiration of songwriters John McCutcheon, Carrie Newcomer, and David Wilcox. Chris Kokesh’s recordings feature her skills as a singer, guitarist, and fiddle player. Both L.J. and Chris have performed throughout the nation. This concert is sponsored by Ron and Deborah McCabe.
Thursday, July 24, 2025 - 7pm -- Ron McCabe In addition to being a former McMillan Library director, Ron McCabe has a sideline as a singer/songwriter folk musician. He tells us that songs can organize our emotions and show us a way forward. He will share songs of love and encouragement—some originals, some old favorites, and some we can sing together. Join Ron to explore the solid ground beneath our political earthquake.
Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 7pm -- The Snack Bar Flamingos For over three decades the Snack Bar Flamingos have been performing their unique jazz stylings in Central Wisconsin. They combine their talents in a sonic blend of original songs, jazz standards, Brazilian jazz and Gypsy swing. Their current side project is Les Flamants Manouche, which showcases the compositions of French swing masters such as Django Reinhardt, Stochelo Rosenberg and Dorado Schmitt.
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 7pm -- John Gorka Folk musician John Gorka has won a national following through his many albums dating back to the late 1980's as well as his countless performances. Rolling Stone magazine has dubbed him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement." The New York Times has written that “[l]istening to John Gorka sing, one can get goose bumps all over. There are many reasons: fresh lyrics, a stunning emotional baritone, and his twisted humor.” This concert is sponsored by Ron and Deborah McCabe.
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 7pm -- Ponyfolk was formed in 2014 by Clifton Nesseth (vocals, strings, guitar, synth/keys) and Paul Sauey (vocals, strings, guitar, bass). Over the last few years, the band has expanded to include Aaron Hays (drums), Alex Nelson (keyboards), Mikey Marget (cello), and Lewis Franti (percussion). Ponyfolk's music always keeps a foot planted firmly in the ethos of Americana and Nordic folk traditions while stepping forward into new sounds and musical terrains. Their sound has been described as “the dark side of Simon & Garfunkel” and “early Pink Floyd mixed with the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.”
Thursday, October 2, 2025 - 7pm -- Medusa would slay at a Hobbit family wedding. Wielding a sound that would turn classical music scholars to stone, these four folk musicians are reimagining the Western string quartet. By inviting back voices previously regarded as too ugly for “polite society,” Medusa tempts us to redefine what is beautiful. Their dynamic arrangement style cross-pollinates the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European music, as well as original tunes, to create something previously unheard. With their music, the band connects audiences across dividing lines of culture and identity to reveal the common threads beneath.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 7pm -- Brian Drow is best described as a pop/folk artist, with a large dose of blues, rock & country influences. He generally performs solo, playing acoustic guitar featuring plenty of blues harmonica but he’ll be bringing along a friend for his show at McMillan. In addition to his own music, his vast repertoire also includes covers from artists such as Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Buddy Holly, pop one-hit wonders, traditional folk tunes, and much more.