Free music is luring East Lansing families downtown to socialize as they listen to artists like Mustard’s Retreat sing humorous folk stories.

The Fountain Square Concert Series began June 14 and continues until Aug. 2 with various acts performing for free.

Mustard’s Retreat started at 7:30 p.m. on the corner of M.A.C. and Albert avenues, and families were seated in rows of lawns chairs and blankets to hear the folk group perform.

David Tamulevich, guitarist and vocalist for Mustard’s Retreat, said he loves performing in East Lansing.

“They have a great folk music scene here,” he said. “We’ve played here several times before at the Creole Gallery and at the Ten Pound Fiddle.”

Since the series is near a semibusy intersection, more and more people stopped to hear stories told in song.

The duo started with “Moody Monday,” which all of the working people of East Lansing could relate to. As people laughed and nodded their heads to thoughts of returning to work Monday, the musicians continued to connect with the attendance.

They also connected with children, performing a number about third-grade experiences of passing a spelling test.

Rick Wyble, East Lansing’s community and events organizer, said the city has enlisted Mustard’s Retreat on several occasions because it has proven to be very popular.

“The city also invites them to perform during the Children’s Concert Series in the spring and the fall,” Wyble said. “They have an excellent children’s program that is very fun for the kids and their parents.”

East Lansing resident Bruce Reizen said he’d never heard the group before but enjoyed the show.

“It would be nice if the younger people riding by would stop to see this great show,” he said. “Because folk music is usually associated with protest and freedom of expression.”