A wide variety of music will be featured at the 4th Annual 605 Unity Jam at Wagner Lake on June 9 in Wagner. One musical group is “Maggie in the Meantime”, which is a band made up of four musicians who play fiddle, guitar, keyboards, pipes, oboe and drums. They blend story telling with original and traditional Celtic music and stories. You will also hear hear familiar songs and new ones, as well as humorous and haunting tales of Scotland, Ireland and regions of America where the Celtic peoples have settled.

From their website you can see that the band is unique in their style of music. Band member Darrel Fickbohm commented: 'It is important to tell our region's stories, no matter what the ethnic origins might be-this is our place. Our culture is woven with marvelous material-of grandfathers, fathers and aunts who were storytellers and family 'characters.' There are enough sources in even one of our families to furnish a deep, rich look at what it means to live here in the Dakotas. All we have to do is remember. Many cultures, like the Irish and Scottish, still listen to the same music from generation to generation unites them. Stories will always be welcome, and the sound of guitar, violin, pipes and voice were chosen for the material because all of these sounds are so much like the natural music around us. Something in us responds because, young and old, we are all the same.'

Magdalena Modzelewska (Maggie) is one of the two principal violins in the South Dakota Symphony and has performed in Europe and America as a soloist. Her own musical project, Flower & Flame, has performed in Europe and the states of Iowa and South Dakota. Derek Hengeveld grew up on a farm near Valley Springs. This location proved to be an ideal practice spot for an aspiring percussionist. He plays with many ensembles as one of the most versatile drummers in the region. He adds the Celtic drum to his ongoing list of genres, which includes rock, jazz, and folk. Charli Fickbohm sings, plays guitar and violin, and is the youngest member of this professional group. She made her debut when she was only twelve years old, singing on the Homestake Opera Stage. Her glistening voice has since become an audience favorite. Jeff Paul is the jack-of-all-trades in the group with stage credits in every genre. He is principal oboist in the South Dakota Symphony, but for this show he plays penny whistle, oboe, keyboards, guitar, and English horn. Darrel Fickbohm, is a guitar player, singer/songwriter, and professional actor with performance credits in both Europe and America. He describes the group as a distilled blend of storytelling, Celtic, folk, country and ballad.

The purpose of the 605 Unity Jam is to increase cultural awareness, understanding, acceptance and appreciation for all cultures. This event invites the community to work together and create an activity for everyone to feel welcome. This event also draws attention to the community art, known as the Unity Buffalo, which stands as a constant reminder that we can work together if we choose to. Brining this event to Wagner Lake provides the perfect location for people to come together and begin seeing the value of building partnerships and finding ways and reasons to bring everyone together in search of better community relations.