DETAILS

The evening will start with a guided tour of the preserve followed by music from Marc Janssen and Bella Moss. Da Flava Unit will bring their food truck for the perfect picnic in the prairie. Music will start at 5:30 p.m. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome, along with water, beer, and wine. Come early at 4 p.m. for a guided hike of Belgum Grove provided by Bur Oak board member Liz Maas. The preserve has walking trails, beautiful prairies, and a large pond. The gate will open at 3:30 p.m. and accessible parking is available. The event is free and open to the community, family-friendly, and bike-friendly. At will donations will be accepted and Bur Oak will have merch for sale. Belgum Groove is sponsored by Hills Bank and ImOn Communications. Artist bios: Marc Janssen is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from rural Johnson County, IA. Growing up in a Midwestern small town, Janssen observed firsthand the balancing act of hard work and hard luck. He writes songs about everyday life. Janssen has been active in the Midwest traditional music scene since arriving in Iowa City in 2007. Performing on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, steel guitar, and banjo, he regularly plays with multiple groups across multiple genres, including old-time, bluegrass, country, jazz, folk, and rock. He has taught traditional music on multiple instruments locally, regionally, and nationally since 2010. Janssen released Midwest Hideaway, his first album of original material, in December 2023. Bella Moss is an up-and-coming artist from Dubuque, Iowa, with a pure, mellow voice that has the power to captivate an audience. Her heartfelt folk style is clear and transcends genres. Recently named Iowa Public Radio’s Artist of the Month September of 2023. Bella’s debut album “Midwestern Daydreams” is available on all streaming platforms.