The next monthly Rabbit River folk gathering will kick off the new year at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, with featured artist/group the Leprecons.

The venue will be the Vibrant Grains Bakery and Restaurant, 142 S. Main St., Wayland.

“Gather ’round ye lads and lasses! Set ye for a while and listen to some Irish drinking tunes’ played by three Yanks from Grand Rapids,” said event organizer J.D. Gonzales. “The Leprecons are a wee little band that seriously has fun or funnily is serious about playing traditional Irish music. Their trademark is having a rousingly good time with the audience who are encouraged to sing along as best they can and with all their might. Singing the correct words is also encouraged but not strictly enforced since they are, after all, Irish, Scottish, and English folk songs.”

The group consists of Kirk Griffes (lead and harmony vocals, mandolin, bass, guitar); Derek Detman (percussions , bodhrán, guitar, bass, background vocals); and J.D. Gonzales (lead vocals, guitar, bass, recorder). They play for weddings, anniversaries, wakes, concerts, in hospitals, state prisons, and any and all Irish pubs, fairs and festivals that are brave enough to let them in the doors.

The featured group will be followed by open mic, starting at 6:45 p.m. and then the all musicians jam session begins at 8 p.m. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to join in the fun.