Maypole Dances and Other Festivities!

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published April 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM EDT

1891 Drawing of the Maypole from The Graphic Newspaper

Gather around the maypole and celebrate May Day this afternoon on Blue Lake Public Radio, as Foley Schuler presents music evoking several different celebrations of this festival of ancient origins and usually marking the beginning of summer—including
the darker counterpart of the holiday, Walpurgisnacht, when witches and various spirits were said to gather.

You can hear Foley Schuler's classical music selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 5 on Blue Lake Public Radio.

Foley Schuler

Encouraged by creative parents, Foley began his music career at age 7, studying violin with Jean Manning at North Muskegon Public Schools. As a Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp camper, he became Blue Lake Public Radio’s first high school intern. Foley earned an English Literature degree from Hope College, and Masters in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson College. He has performed with the West Michigan (formerly West Shore) Symphony; served on the English Department faculty at Muskegon Community College, and been the Music, Art & Theatre reviewer for the Muskegon Chronicle. He follows his love of the arts around the globe, but says, “There is no place like the Blue Lake setting, sharing extraordinary music with our listeners.” Foley hosts Blue Lake Public Radio’s weekday classical music from 1 to 5 p.m. and “Sunday on Blue Lake”.

See stories by Foley Schuler