ARTS FESTIVAL MUSIC LINEUP FEATURES ACCLAIMED ARTIST WILLY PORTER, AMONG OTHERS

The Midsummer Festival of the Arts July 18-19 at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan is expected to draw music lovers of all genres with a lineup that features some of the area’s most talented musicians in addition to the nationally acclaimed contemporary American folk musician Willy Porter.

All performances are free of charge.

Porter, who recently performed at Summerfest, is a guitar-playing songwriter and recording artist. His current album, “How to Rob a Bank,” offers a rich blend of salt and sugar tracks that move from electric edges into soulful irony. Porter performs Saturday, July 18, at 3 p.m.

Jamming at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19, is Milwaukee’s reggae band, King Solomon. This popular group has become a favorite of the Arts Center’s Festive Fridays goers. Their smooth, hypnotic beat is comprised of dancehall roots reggae with a powerhouse punch to the heart.

Other favorites performing throughout the weekend include Oshkosh’s Copper Box featuring a blend of rock, Zydeco and polka; Icarus/Drifting of Sheboygan, who played at Summerfest and offers modern rock grounded in lyrics and melody; Madison’s Harmonious Wail is a jazz and gypsy swing band that just returned from a tour out east and works with Grammy-award-winning producer Aaron Levinson; and Sheboygan bluegrass and Irish string band, Beef Tea.

The annual Midsummer Festival of the Arts features more than 135 artists who showcase everything from fine jewelry and photographs to handbags, oil paintings, yard art and more. Other activities include face painting for children, art workshops for the young and young at heart and an assortment of delectable dishes.

The Midsummer Festival of the Arts is Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 608 New York Ave., Sheboygan. Admission is free to the festival and to the view the American Story exhibition within the Arts Center.

The complete musical entertainment schedule is below. For more information contact the Arts Center at (920) 458-6144.

Saturday, July 18

10-11 a.m., Icarus/Drifting (modern rock)

Noon-2 p.m., Copper Box (accordion swamp rock)

3-5 p.m., Willy Porter (singer songwriter)

Sunday, July 19

10-10:45 a.m., Beef Tea (Sheboygan bluegrass and Irish string band)

11:30-1:30 p.m., Harmonious Wail (jazz and gypsy swing)

2:30-4:30 p.m., King Solomon (reggae)