MID-COLUMBIA FOLKLORE SOCIETY HOUSE CONCERTS
Here are the MCFS concerts for the upcoming months. MCFS sponsors other events.
KIDS ARE VERY WELCOME
Thursday, October 7, 7:00 pm at 401 Montello in Hood River. Call 387-4011 for more info.
Dana Robinson
Dana Robinson is paying us a visit on Thursday, October 7th at 7 pm from Northampton, MA, site of clean living and quality liberal thinking. Dana's has recorded with the likes of Dar Williams and Lui Collins, and his "contemporary Americana" style comes with some old-time music touches. For five years, Dana has spent most days writing songs, traveling and performing around the country. He is likely to pull out a guitar, fiddle or banjo on any given tune. As Dirty Linen puts it, "Many songwriters, such as Bruce Springtsteen and John Mellencamp, have been heralded as modern-day Woody Guthruies or keepers of the American rural spirit, but that mantle might be best entrusted to musicians like Dana Robinson who embody both the heart and the soul of folk music."
Saturday,August 21, 2004 Saturday, 700 p.m,
Jake Armerding, Fiddler
Monday, August 23, 700 p.m.
Jim Hinde, A Singer Songwriter for the 21st Century
Fiddle virtuoso Jake Armerding wowed the crowd on his 2003 visit to Hood River, and he returns to Paul and Kristen's house for a return engagement on Saturday, August 21st. Two nights later, Seattle's folk troubadour (and Emmy award winner) Jim Hinde pays a visit to the Gorge on August 23rd. Both shows are at 401Montello at 700 pm. Call 387-4011 for more info.
Wednesday, July 28th, 7 pm
Dennis Warner
Folk musician Dennis Warner makes a stopover at Paul and Kristen's house, 401 Montello, on Wed., July 28th at 7 pm. Admission is a donation to the Mid-Columbia Folklore Society. Call 387-4011 for details or to reserve your seat.
Dennis' unique blend of music and humor brings him to well over 100 cities each year. With his six and twelve string guitars, Dennis appears not only at major theaters, clubs and some of the best festivals around, but also in the small towns throughout America, drawing inspiration for songs that appeal to the universal aspects in our lives.
Sunday, June 13th, 7 pm
Lex Browning & Mick Doherty
Two members of the beloved "Trail Band" are paying a visit to Hood River. Don't miss these gifted musicians playing in a rare small-venue atmosphere.
Lex came to Oregon from Kentucky when gasoline was 40 cents a gallon. Eight years ago he relocated to Nashville where he worked with Tanya Tucker and Pam Tillis, among others. He has since come back to his senses and Portland where he makes his home with his wife Grace and son Mason. Lex performs with the Trail Band and the Freak Mt. Ramblers.
Mick is one of 10 siblings who were raised singing around the piano. He first came to Oregon in '73 to visit a friend, and just kept coming back "until it stuck." He works with his wife Deb Chase in the Oregon Shadow Theatre. Of his work with the shadow theatre, Mick says, "I make the racket." Mick also performs with the Trail Band and the Cascadia Folk Quartet.
House Concert at Paul and Kristen's, 401 Montello, Hood River
For more information, call 387-4011.
Make it to one (or two!) of these great shows. Donations to the Mid-Columbia Folklore Society will be accepted. As always, tea and cookies will be served. Call 387-4011 for details or to reserve your seat.
Saturday, May 15th 2004 at 7:00
Anne Weiss
Portland artist Anne Weiss will play a concert at Paul and Kristen's house, 401 Montello, on Saturday, May 15th at 7 pm.
Fellow musician Dar Williams call her simply "inspiring". The Willamette Week chimes in "Her vocal flights suggest a baby raised by Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell." and "One of the freshest, most versatile voices I've heard...She ranges from folk to pop to swing to blues, all with a self-assured ease."
Anne's first recording work was with Shawn Colvin and Patty Larkin. It wasn't long before she was opening concerts for Richie Havens and Dar Williams. A decade later, Anne has performed with everyone from power folk singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco to country blues heroes Cephas & Wiggins. She has toured internationally and has appeared at folk, blues, world music festivals, and week-long music workshops.
For more information, call 387-4011.
Friday, April 16th 2004 at 7:00
Rebecca Scott
"Memorable, instantly grabbing, persistently tugging, emotionally revealing female folk pop. If you like Shawn Colvin, you will love this artist" and "With ten years and three albums under her belt, folk-pop maven REBECCA SCOTT releases the album that captures what faithful fans have followed for the past decade. Her fourth recording and first live album, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" takes the energetic passion exuded on stage and combines it with the melodic and familiar sound Scott is renowned for."
Sunday, April 18th 2004 at 7:00
Curtis and Loretta
Minneapolis duo Curtis and Loretta return to Hood River.Reviewers say "Loretta's almost operatic alto and Curtis' rich tenor form a lush, polished and varied vocal blend. The pair's instrumental interplay is equally compelling, with Loretta's harp textures dancing in and around Curtis' deft guitar and mandolin lines." and "Acoustic folk music duo Curtis & Loretta have been acclaimed across the country for their exquisite harmonies, incisive songwriting, and skill on an array of stringed instruments, including Celtic harp, mandolin, guitar, clawhammer banjo, and ukulele." They played the house 2 years ago and they were lovely, so we've invited them back.
Wednesday, March 24th 2004 at 7:00
Atlantic Crossing
...at Paul and Kristen's, 401 Montello, Hood River.
Atlantic Crosssing returns to Hood River on Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00. Paul and Kristen's house, 401 Montello. Call 387-4011 for information or to reserve a seat.
Atlantic Crossing is a quartet featuring authentic New England songs and tunes, high-energy Celtic and contradance grooves, Maritime and French-Canadian kitchen junket music, and originals inspired by long northern winters warmed by the timeless sound of voices and fiddles.
Atlantic Crossing's arrangements feature rich harmonies and driving rhythms, showing a deep love for the tradition along with a high level of creativity, emotional expression, and just plain fun.
Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00
Steppin' In It
...at Paul and Kristen's, 401 Montello, Hood River.
A delightful up tempo quartet is coming this time. Come enjoy some toe tapping on Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00 pm. Celebrating American roots music, Steppin' In It is an acoustic quartet with hearts based in tradition and minds ever moving in creative directions. The combination of multi-instrumentalist Andy and Joe Wison, upright bassist Dominic Suchyta and singer songwriter Joshua Davis is a rootsy roller coaster ride of original and traditional music. Playing everything from blues to bluegrass, honky tonk and cajun, woeful waltzes to western swing, Steppin' In It has become one of Michigan's most sought after live acts.
Friday, February 13th, 7 pm
Joe Crookson
Enjoy an acoustic winter evening in one of Hood River's grand old homes. Joe Crookston, nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter comes to Paul and Kristen's house at 401 Montello on Friday, February 13th at 7 pm. Donations to Mid-Columbia Folklore Society accepted, tea and cookies will be served.
Joe Cookston grew up in the rural farmland of Ohio, where at the age of 13, he began picking and strumming his mothers old D-18 Martin, and writing about the natural world around him. His passion for distilling songs down to their core essence and creating powerful live experiences is clearly his gift. Joe's music is deeply rooted in the grand celebration of life, death, and the interconnectedness of us all, and his musicianship as guitarist, banjo player, singer and songwriter are an intriguing fusion of contemporary and traditional styles.
Saturday, January 31, 2004 7:00 pm
Humphrey and Hartman
The Northwest duo of Humphrey and Hartman will be stopping by Hood River on Saturday, January 31st to play a house concert at Paul and Kristen's. The concert starts at 7:00 in the living room of 401 Montello.
The acoustic duo Janet Humphrey and Mary Hartman have been described as the harmonious equivalent of peanut butter and jelly: distinctly different and perfectly complementary. Playing guitars, banjo and respohonic guitar, their original songs and intricate harmonies have been entrancing audiences across the northwest. Strong vocals and tight harmonies are the signature of their high energy live performances.
Friday, December 5, 2003 7:00 pm
Carolyn Cruso
House Concert at Paul and Kristen's, 401 Montello,Hood River
Carolyn Cruso is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer. Over the past fifteen years she has toured widely in both the United States and Europe, as well as producing six CDs during that time. She is equally at home on hammered dulcimer, flute, guitar and vocals and performs a diverse array of original tunes and songs as well as traditional material. Her instrumental compositions are mainly for the hammered dulcimer and are inspired by her strong connection to nature as well as her extensive travel and the cultures she's encountered along the way. Her unusual and lyrical approach to the dulcimer especially delights audiences and has even won over curmudgeons who swore they hated hammered dulcimer!
Most of her traditional material has been gleaned from her two and a half year sojourn in Europe with late partner Robert Almblade, whom she performed and wrote with for over a decade, as well as playing at Irish sessions around the United States. The material is largely Celtic and her involvement with that genre colors her original work.
As a relative newcomer to the performing songwriting genre, Cruso has been surprising fans around the country with the fact that she is a poetic lyricist, a powerfully expressive singer and a strong guitar player. Her lyrics explore love, loss and regeneration and convey a compelling sense of longing. She regularly uses open tunings which allow her to find rich voicings to the chords she uses.
Carolyn Cruso has been performing professionally in both the United States and Europe for over a decade as a multi- instrumentalist playing hammered dulcimer, various flutes, guitar and vocals. In the past three years Carolyn has been focusing more on her singer/songwriter talents. She is now celebrating the release of her first CD in that genre, As Clear A Hue, a body of work developed over the last seven years. Carolyn's performances have been called powerful and emotionally provocative. Her lyrics are thoughtful, poetic and possess a compelling sense of longing. Her vocals are tough and tender. Her guitar chordings have been described as delicious and her playing is dynamic and expressive.
This will be Carolyn's second House Concert in the Hood River area.
Call Paul at 541- 387-4011 for more information.
Tuesday, Oct 14th at 7:00 pm
Clive Gregson House Concert
The Mid-Columbia Folklore Society welcomes it's first returning artist in the recent house concert series. Clive Gregson, who played to a packed house last spring, returns on Tuesday, Oct 14th at 700 to Paul and Kristen's house at 401 Montello, Hood River. The public is invited; admission is a donation MCFS.
Clive Gregson is widely acclaimed as a leader in the British folk scene. Rolling Stone calls him "the state of the art in British folk-rock". Dirty Linen calls his voice "marvelous", his guitar playing "brilliant". "As fine a singer-songwriter as anyone has a right to expect," gushes The Independent.
During last year's Northwest tour, he set the standard for house concert attendance in the Gorge, packing 45 fans into the living room. Don't miss this year's visit by this prominent entertainer.
For more information or to reserve your spot, call 387-4011
Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 7:00 pm
Instrumental guitar and mandolin concert at Paul and Kristen's house, 401 Montello, Hood River
Dorian Michael and Kenny Blackwell bring their justly famous duo to Hood River for a night of fantastic folk, blues and jazz. Their music has been featured on NPR and the national scene. Reviewers of their latest CD say things like: "Fans of acoustic guitar music will want to pick up a copy of Dorian Michael's 'The Way We Dance, a collection of a dozen original compositions. Featuring mostly blues and folk, 'The Way We Dance' is a clear demonstration of Michael's fingerstyle guitar skills. The instrumental tunes are richly arranged, and like many great solo guitarists, Michael makes it sound like there's more than one guitar at work. My favorite track, 'Cardinal Rule,' is a slide guitar number that's simply transporting. This is a must-have for acoustic music fans."
Dirty Linen: "This is an impressive collection of 12 solo guitar pieces composed and nimbly performed by guitarist Dorian Michael, whose writing and playing has obviously been influenced by guitarists like Leo Kottke and John Fahey. His fingerpicking style sharply defines the tunes, and his melodies show a wide range of influences. An engaging and entertaining recording."
Wednesday, August 27th, 7:30 pm
Belgian folk music comes to Hood River.
Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts
Karen and Paul bring their hammer dulcimer, guitars, and whistles to town on Wednesday, August 27th. This folk duo has
stunned audiences from Washington to Washington, DC with their moving harmonies and surprising rhythms. They play
traditional music from days of old, infusing it with new energy and ideas. They have played at the White House and
Smithsonian Institution. And now to the MCFS!
Paul and Kristen's house
401 Montello, Hood River
Wednesday, August 27th
7:30 p.m.
$12 suggested donation to the Mid-Columbia Folklore Society
For more info, call Paul at 387-4011
STILLWAY & BONHAM
Friday night, July 25th, at 7:30, Hood River
House concert at Paul and Kristen's, 401 Montello, Hood River.
Jamie Stillway & Ben Bonham perform duets on a variety of steel string and acoustic lap steel guitars. Their unique guitar styles complement each other perfectly to produce a fresh, inspiring sound that is sophisticated and fun.
Jamie Stillway is one of the best young female acoustic guitarists currently performing in the U.S.A. Originally from Minnesota, Jamie has recently settled in Portland, Oregon. With a foundation in classical guitar, Jamie soon shifted her focus to the complex ragtime guitar styles of the 1920's, and has had the benefit of studying with many of today's top acoustic players. These influences, along with a newly developed passion for gypsy jazz guitar have contributed to Jamie's distinct sound.
Ben Bonham has over ten years of professional experience as a live performer and recording musician in both the U.K. and the U.S.A. Since 1996, this British expatriate has delighted U.S. audiences with his renderings of old time American music and his mastery of delta blues, vintage Hawaiian lap steel and country blues and ragtime guitar. Ben has several CDs to his credit, which have earned him the admiration of acoustic and steel guitar aficionados, and can often be seen playing his varied collection of vintage musical instruments at major festivals as the ultimate One-Man Band.
$10. per person. Tea and cookies served. Call (541) 387-4011 for more information.
THE RED-HAIRED BOYS
Friday night, June 13th, at 7:30, Hood River
The Red-Haired Boys will bring their own Gorge-style of bluegrass to Paul and Kristen's house at 401 Montello. The first local band to perform in the Mid-Columbia Folklore Society's house concert series, RHB is a coed trio fielding banjo, guitar and fiddle, plus vocals all around. Don't miss this chance to see one of Hood River's favorite acoustic bands in an intimate setting. Tea and cookies will be served, and an $8 donation to MCFS will be accepted.
CLIVE GREGSON
Wednesday, March 26, 7:00 pm Hood River
Clive Gregson, one of Englandıs most admired and acclaimed songwriters, will perform at a house concert at Paul Blackburn and Kristen Dillon's, 401 Montello Street in Hood River, one of Hood River's grand old houses, on March 26th at 7pm. Call 541-387-4011 for more info.
Over the course of a long and varied career, Clive Gregson has excelled in a number of contexts - from the success of his first band Any Trouble (named "the most exciting new rockınıroll group since the Pretenders" by Melody Maker) in the early eighties, to his legendary partnership with Christine Collister (described by Rolling Stone as "the state of the art in British folk-rock") and a stint in the Richard Thompson Band. His recent string of albums released by Compass are decisive proof that Gregsonıs gifts continue to flourish.
ATLANTIC CROSSING
Friday, March 28, 7:30 pm, Hood River
Vermont-based Atlantic Crossing is playing a house concert at the home of Paul Blackburn and Kristen Dillon on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Come enjoy this fine string band in a cozy setting. Tea and cookies will be served. 401 Montello, Hood River. 387-4011 for info.
Vermont-based acoustic music ensemble Atlantic Crossing releases their third recording, "Groundswell" this month. For this Champlain Valley band, who were originally drawn together by a love of Celtic music, "Groundswell" represents a homecoming of sorts. Their experience playing Celtic and Quebecois folk music has led them to re-examine the traditional music of New England, and they have developed an affinity for this rich, diverse and largely unperformed cultural resource.
John McCutcheon
Saturday, April 12, 2003, Hood River
n the past twenty years, ask anyone in the music world who is the most influential hammer dulcimer player in America and one name come ups: John McCutcheon. Ask anyone who has written, produced, and released the most folk music albums during that span: same answer. Who has been in the forefront of redefining children's music with five back-to-back Grammy nominations, making it truly "adult-friendly"? Same guy. Who has championed grass-roots community organizing, helped reshape the musician's union, promoted international musicians, written articles for number publication, chaired literacy campaigns, and in his spare time toured the world filling concert halls on four continents? Guess who. The real question about John is not what he does best, but how he does it all so darn well.
The concert is at the Bowe Theatre at HRVHS at 7:30 on Saturday, April 12. $15 at the door, $12 ahead at Waucoma, under 12 half price.This concert is being presented by Gorge Arts.
Lui Collins
Tuesday November 19th Parkdale
Lui Collins has proven herself a powerful presence in the folk community; a compelling writer, singer and instrumentalist.
Lui will return again this fall, for a concert at the home of MCFS member Beth Hukari the evening of Wednesday, November 20th. Time 7:00pm at 4878 Van Nuys in Parkdale. Admission is $6 for members and $7 non-members. Kids under 12 are half-price and under 5 are free.
Collins' songs speak gently of hope and love and respect. She makes the political personal, becoming the mentor, quietly sharing her own values. Rather than overtly addressing environmental awareness, for instance, Collins teaches regard for the Earth simply by sharing her own awe of the Earth's beauty and abundance.Directions: Once you are in Parkdale, on the main street, which is Baseline Rd., go north on 5th Ave. It is a one way street and has a sign pointing to the grade school at the intersection with Baseline. Go 2 blocks on 5th Ave and the driveway will be in front of you! (In the big fir trees) The street changes to Van Nuys there and turns left. There will be a sign out--please go left and park at the elementary school next to the tennis courts.
Wes Weddell
Sunday December 8th, Hood River
The Northwest's own Wes Weddell will play at the Hood River home of Kristen Dillon and Paul Blackburn, 401 Montello, on Sunday, December 8th at 3 pm. $7.00 members, $8.00 non-members, $5.00 kids 5 and up, under 5 free.
In the spring of 2001, Seattle singer/songwriter Wes Weddell captivated the region with his ambitions to chronice the lives of contemporary Washington State residents in song. In sixty-five days cavorting around the state, the multi-instrumentalist produce nine regionally-themed songs based upon stories he encountered everywhere from Mossyrock to Toppenish. The academic component of the University of Washington -sponsored "Project" also earned Wes the first-ever Mary Gates Venture Fellowship and a sizable following from media sources across the state - not to mention comprising fifteen credits worth of coursework for the UW history major.
In December, the Pullman, WA native released a CD - his second solo - of these songs. Entitled "My Northwest Home", the disc allows Wes to return the songs to the communities from which they originiated and to share the intertwining melodies and anecdotes inspired by his recent travels.
Wes belongs to a younger generation of folk musicians who work to incorporate elements of many well-established musical traditions into their own personal styling. His particular approach offers a fresh take on the identity of American folk music by drawing form a multitude of musical disciplines, which provide a flexible backdrop for his clever and detailed lyrics. His poised musical delivery and celebrated storytelling ensure an entertaining and memorable experience for any listener.
Wes first appeared on the Seattle scene with an unannounced guest appearance the the 1999 Northwest Folklife Festival, and he has steadliy increased his engagements across the region since p much to the delight of his growing audiences.
Come see this rising star as he passes through Hood River!
Blue Pass
Saturday, March 15th, The Dalles
MCFS Board member, Ann Brown, is opening her house in The Dalles for a rousing concert by Blue Pass, a four piece bluegrass/old-time band based outof La Grande OR. The party will be at 14th and Trevitt, 7:30 PM on Saturday, March 15th. For reservations and/or directions, call Ann at 541-298-5875.
Admission is by donation.
Jesse Jones plays mandolin, guitar, bass, and does lead vocals. He is originally from New Mexico and is now living in Union OR, with his wife and two little girls. Luke McKern, originally of Hood River, plays guitar and bass. He now lives in La Grande and is our excellent lead guitar player.
Isaac Callender plays fiddle, guitar, and bass. He is originally of Great Falls, MT, and is well-known for his fiddle playing throughout the northwest. Emily Callender, his wife, plays fiddle, guitar, and sings lead vocals. She is originally from Pendleton OR.
"All four of us study music at Eastern Oregon University, where Jesse majors in composition, Luke in guitar or music ed, Isaac in violin performance, and Emily in vocal performance. We have been playing together since October, though Jesse and Isaac played together last year and recorded their CD, Here Comes the Rain, which will be available at the concert."Constructed using HTML by gennett at gorge dot net.