This year's Cooper's Glen Music Festival offers up a variety of acoustic performers, including heavy-hitters like Beppe Gambetta, Peter Ostroushko and the Gibson Brothers, as well as plenty of Michigan-based acts.

The Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association (GLAMA), founded in 1998 and dedicated to helping promote acoustic music in West Michigan, is an advocate for musicians and hosts the yearly festival. It regularly hold sessions around Kalamazoo for musicians of all levels to enjoy jamming with fellow instrumentalists in a fun, helpful environment. GLAMA is also working to promote more earplug-free live music.

"Acoustic is inherently social, and when you feel like you have to wear earplugs, it inhibits that engagement," says Michael Beauchamp, GLAMA board member and chair of the programming committee for this year's festival. "It's all about the music, and that connection between the audience and the musician."

Having seen an increase in popularity the past few years, Beauchamp says acoustic music provides enthusiasts with an "activity that doesn't rely on technology."

Cooper's Glen Music Festival Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo Feb.10, 7 p.m. Feb.11, noon $20 to $50 + $10 per workshop coopersglen.com, (269) 343-333

Held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, the festival strives to bring together acoustic lovers from all genres -- whether it's folk, bluegrass, Celtic or gypsy swing. The decade-long event spent its first five years outdoors before moving indoors to the Radisson's ballroom.

Why the move inside?

"There aren't too many winter music festivals, and winter is a good time for getting together and jamming," Beauchamp said. "The Radisson has been very accommodating and encouraging of us, especially with the late night jams."

There's also a restaurant right on location, and attendees receive a discount on rooms.

Concertgoers to Cooper's Glen can expect not only nightly music, but also afternoon workshops with the artists, jam sessions and a barn dance Saturday afternoon -- a first at Cooper's Glen.

From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., join performer White Mule and learn to square dance, circle dance, waltz and contra-dance. There will be a variety of kids' activities throughout the festival, including crayons and coloring books that feature various acoustic instruments, all-ages jams and building a can-jo -- a banjo-like instrument out of an aluminum can that has become a fan favorite. Kids under 16 also get in free, making it the ultimate family event.

Want the experience for free? Volunteer four hours of your time at some point during the festival and receive a weekend pass.

A full list of performers, schedule, and ticket information can be found at coopersglen.com.