Lincoln Association For Traditional Arts Since 1982. News To Put A Little LAFTA In Your Life !
Spring 2007- 2008 PO Box 30561 Lincoln, NE 68503
LAFTA is fortunate to be able to host a concert in The Loft at the Mill, Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 pm, featuring Diana Jones. She was a winner of the 2006 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest and has toured this country and Europe, sharing the stage with Martina McBride, Del McCoury Band, Guy Clark, Odetta, Old Crow Medicine Show, and John Gorka among others. During the summer of 2007 Diana played several top music festivals, including Philly, Newport, American and Rhythm & Roots. Her latest CD titled My Remembrance of You was released in Europe in May, while Diana followed with 3 tours including performances at Cambridge Folk Festival, Galway Arts Festival and a tour for legend Richard Thompson at some of Europe’s top venues. "It goes without saying, Diana Jones is a consummate singer and writer, who totally charms audiences. What sets her apart — and this is the highest praise in a crowded music profession — is her originality. Her music doesn't sound like anyone else's." — Richard Thompson Diana’s themes are love, loss, and redemption. From the mournful lament of a dance hall girl to the stomping melodic rant of a young woman’s burial instructions, each of Diana’s original songs from her CD My Remembrance of You draws life from old-timey, country blues and mountain music. Critics across the nation have extolled the wonders of her music and performances: Chicago Tribune declares Diana Jones's "My Remembrance of You" #1 Country album of the Year! “Jones is on the verge of a critical breakthrough. Increasingly compared to the likes of Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch, Jones just might be the best American songwriter most people have never heard of.”— Chicago Tribune "Her songs are as threadbare and timeless as a Carter Family classic, yet as personal and carefully crafted as a John Prine or Guy Clark tune." — Nashville Scene "One of the most exciting singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years"—Sing Out! Magazine "Diana Jones allows her mountain heritage to shine through on her delightful album, My Remembrance of You.” —Bluegrass Now Magazine Regular ticket pricing of $13 for members, $17 for nonmembers, $10 for students and children under 12 for $1 applies with tickets online at www.lafta.net or at the door the evening of the performance. More information is available on the web or at 580-8656, the LAFTA phone number.
Prairie Dog Music is a local independent music label featuring country blues, American folk and bluegrass, and other forms of traditional music. LAFTA is hosting a massive Prairie Dog Release Party Friday, March 28, 7:30 pm at The Loft at the Mill, 8th and P Street, spotlighting a new compilation CD, "A Year of the Prairie Dog: A Sampler from the Congregation at the First Church of the Prairie Dog." The album features the artists who have recorded on the label and is organized around a confluence of a church service theme and the 12 months of the year. The CD will feature an Invocation song, a song for each month of the year, an Altar Call song, and a Benediction, a poem by Bill Kloefkorn. The artists represented on the CD include Pete Blakeslee, Terri Jo Dodson, Dave Fowler, Steven O. Hanson, John Hischke, Terry Keefe, Bill Kloefkorn, John Kloefkorn, Rob Kloefkorn, Dave Marsh, Erin McGovern, David Morris, Dan Newton, Jim Pipher, Chris Sayre, John Walker, and C. A Waller. The bands highlighted are The Bluegrass Crusade, Daddy Squeeze and the Doctor, The Loup River Nightcrawlers, Paddywhack, and The Toasted Ponies. All the songs are either original or traditional tunes arranged by the artists. The party will also feature a number of recent Prairie Dog releases, including new CDs by The Bluegrass Dr. JOHN WALKER Crusade, Terri Jo Dodson, Steven O. Hanson, Terry Keefe, Rob Kloefkorn, Paddywhack, The Toasted Ponies, John Walker, and C. A. Waller. The doors will open at 6:30 pm and while it lasts, expect to find some gumbo, chili, cornbread, and cobbler provided by Dr. Walker and friends. Coffee, soda, water and cookies will be available for sale. Admission at the door is only $10 for for adults and children under 12 only $1 for this special event. And with such a well known talent lineup, tickets are bound to go early. Buy them on the web at www.lafta.net or call 580-8656. LAFTA Board of Directors to be short 3 members It will soon be time for the 2008 annual election of the LAFTA Board of Directors and the future is not looking rosy. Rebecca Carr (10 years), Tom Franti (6 years) and Dave Hughes (4 years) are stepping down from the board and not running for re-election. Job and Previews abound on folk family restraints are cited as the reasons, and their friendly KZUM radio dedicated and active input will be sorely missed. That leaves the board in a tenuous position with only Haven’t heard one of our featured artists 1 person running for re-election for 4 open positions. before? Listen to these fine shows featuring With only 6 out of 9 positions filled, the already busy workload schedule of the folk music at KZUM radio, 89.3 FM, for a remaining board members could cause a burnout leading to more members preview ! leaving, effectively destroying the board and LAFTA program. As LAFTA has Sun 2:00 - 6:00 am Dr. Rock & The expanded it’s offerings over the past 15 years, it has taken more work and people Medicine Show to keep the program running smoothly. Trying to increase attendance while Sun 11:30 - 1:30 pm The Wimmin’s Show balancing the rising cost of performers versus ticket costs is a concern. Finding Mon 6:30 - 8:00 pm Exposition Flyer the money for advertising and finding the most effective means of advertising is Mon 10:00 - Noon Tom Thumb’s another concern. Balancing the performance dates and available Loft open Fillmore Midwest dates plus physically setting up the concerts for attendance and cleaning up Tue 7:00 - 9:00 pm Tuesday Night Drive-In afterwards is a concern. Websites, newsletters, food sales at concerts, Wed 8:00 - 9:00 am River City Folk government filings and grant applications all are part of the work the board Wed 7:00 - 8:30 pm Just Off The Fringe accomplishes. All these items are handled by dedicated volunteers that also Wed 8:30-10:00 pm Radio Gumbo have personal and professional lives. Thurs 6:00 - 8:00 am A Prairie Sunrise LAFTA is one of the few non profit organizations that accomplish this without a Thurs 6:00 - 7:00 pm Thunder on the Plains paid staff member. It doesn’t happen without volunteers that are willing to share Thurs 7:00 - 8:30 pm The Acoustic Cafe their time and talent to promote folk music and bring it to the Lincoln people that Thurs 10:00-11:00 pm Alive in Lincoln otherwise would not see it. Fri 10:00 - Noon TGI Femmes This year the annual 2008 LAFTA board election will be held by mail. Other fine specialty shows have also featured Members will vote for board members to fill positions whose terms have expired. our showcase artist, so keep on listening and There is one vote per household unless two memberships have been purchased. supporting community radio at KZUM! The following board member is the only one running for re-election. Write in "Powered By the Community" votes are also allowed. So watch the mail and return those ballots! Randy Smith is currently the LAFTA board treasurer. He has enjoyed Celtic CONTRA DANCE and hammer dulcimer music for several decades and has even made feeble 7:30 pm first Saturday of attempts to play the hammer dulcimer. He likes the diversity of (mostly) acoustic each month at Auld music presented by LAFTA during the past few seasons as well as the Recreation Center. $6 community building aspect of LAFTA. He would like to continue to work with the Donation. For more rest of the board members to further both of these goals. information call (402) 464- There are three more open board member positions with no one currently 3143 or (402) 325-9450 or running. If you would like to be on the ballot, contact the board president, Joan check the LAFTA web site at Johnson, by calling 580-8656 or by emailing LAFTA at [email protected]. www.lafta.net. A Novel Idea Bookstore Used, Rare and Out of Print Building & Buying Book Collections Since 1991 WE BUY BOOKS ! Hardcover and Paperback 118 N. 14th St. Lincoln NE 68508 OPEN HARVEST (402) 475-8663 COOPERATIVE www.anovelideabookstore.com GROCERY Lincoln’s Natural Food Cooperative Freshly Baked Bread Organic and Local Produce Deli, Seafood, Fresh Meat Vitamins / Herbs DON’S PIANO SERVICE Cruelty-Free Health / Beauty Gluten and Dairy Free Products PIANO TUNING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 1618 South St. Lincoln NE 68502 Don Pinkley Lincoln NE 68502 (402)-742-4229 Phone (402) 475-9069 http://www.openharvest.coop You’ve heard them on the radio with Garrison Keillor and seen them on the big screen (Robert Altman's “Prairie Home Companion”). They have appeared on The Grand Ole Opry and Austin City Limits. Now you can see Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group at our season’s closeout show. For more than a quarter of a century they have delighted audiences large and small with a blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country that truly merits the title of "American music." The Saturday show at 8th and P streets starts at 7:30 pm. They are first-class singers, instrumentalists and superb songwriters, able to, as The Washington Post put it, "sum up a life in a few details with moving completeness." It's why their compositions have been recorded by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Tim and Mollie O'Brien, George Hamilton IV and The Seldom Scene. Irish singer Mary Black included their haunting "Don't Let Me Come Home a Stranger" on her CD Full Tide. Robin and Linda Williams, the Virginia-based duo known for their rich harmonies and original songwriting, are joined in concert by Jim Watson, a founding member of the Red Clay Ramblers, on bass and his distinctive harmony Robin and Linda Williams vocals, and bluegrass veteran Jimmy Gaudreau on mandolin and mandola. Just released on Red House Records, Robin and Linda's new CD, “Deeper A Great Big LAFTA Waters,” is a selection of personal and strong songs that has been described as “nothing more than a masterpiece” by the All Music Guide. Their previous CD, Thank You To The Mill "Visions Of Love," stayed on the Americana Charts soon after its release Coffee Shop ! January 2002 and was rated in the top five of both the Folk and Bluegrass charts If you’ve enjoyed the on Roots Music Report. wonderful coffee at our For this concert only, special pricing applies: $17 members; $22 non- concerts, thank the Mill for members; $15 students w/ ID; $1 children under 12. Tickets are available online its donation and buy a cup at www.lafta.net and at the door. or two.
Check out the LAFTA website for venues in the area promoting folk or traditional music. And check out the local music scene! Keep those feet flying! If dancing is your thing, check out the folk dancing clubs available in Lincoln. Made possible with the support of International Folk Dancing: The Lincoln International Folk Dancers meet on Friday evenings in room 210, Mabel Lee Hall on the University of Nebraska City Campus. Call (402) 617-2483 for information. Irish Folk Dancing: For information about the Lincoln Irish dancers, call LuAnne at (402) 475-8674 or check http://irishdance.inetnebr.com/ . Scottish Country Dancing: Call Judi Duerr at (402) 617-2483. through funds from The Nebraska Legislature and National Endowment for the Arts. www.nebraskaartscouncil.org Age 5 thru Adult Number 2 2007-2008 The LAFTA NEWSLETTER is published several times annually by the Lincoln Association for Glenda Dietrich Moore Traditional Arts, P O Box 30561, Lincoln, NE 68503-0561. LAFTA is a non-profit organization, Experienced Teacher & Professional Artist committed to the promotion of folk music and folk See Glenda’s paintings at www.GlendaDietrich.com arts in the Lincoln area. For membership or other information, please call (402) 580-8656 or check 5401 Franklin St. Lincoln NE 402-483-5308 the website at www.lafta.net . Email: [email protected] Editor: Kerry L “Butch” Krause Supporting writers listed by column.
Butch has been hounding me to write a column for the LAFTA newsletter. To be honest, I am having a very difficult Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm will find Greg Trooper time writing this because this past year ensconced in the living room at 857 N. 42nd St., has been a financially difficult one for ready for another house concert. Dubbed "one of the LAFTA. (I would like to write about best-kept secrets in Nashville" by the Austin something other than money but it is Chronicle, Trooper is considered a “songwriter’s foremost on my mind) LAFTA will be songwriter.” Many artists, including Steve Earle, Billy very fortunate to be in the black at the Bragg, Maura O’Connell, Robert Earl Keen, Lucy end of this season. Memberships are Kaplansky, have recorded his songs. Trooper has down, attendance is down and of established a reputation as an exuberant performer course, costs are up. Yes, we are a not whose wit and vigor have charmed audiences across for profit organization but we generally the U.S. and Europe. His music feels equally need money in the bank at the end of the informed by Memphis soul, Greenwich Village folk year to pay sales tax and other and Nashville twang. scheduled payments. In a review of his live album Between A House For the past several years, there has And A Hard Place, music critic Barry Mazor said that Trooper "sings with a clarity been someone at the ticket table asking of purpose and a variety of effect that few in the acoustic world match." Billboard you, “How did you hear about our magazine has called him "an artist of considerable insight and passion." Nashville show?” This question may have been music critic Robert K. Oermann has said Trooper's "songs and delivery grab you irritating after a while but it is a valuable by the throat." Fans know a voice of grit and experience signing songs in which question to ask. Advertising is they recognize themselves. expensive! In the Lincoln Journal Star’s "Greg Trooper writes great songs, including one of my very favorite songs in Ground Zero, we run 2 ads for each the world, Little Sister. On top of all that, there's his voice - an instrument I have show; just 2 ads cost $280.00 coveted for 15 years." Steve Earle $1960.00 per year! We also partner with Donations at the door are $12 and all proceeds go to artist. Call 466-4775 for NET Radio. Because there is an reservations or e-mail [email protected] to RSVP, since seating is limited. imbalance between what we can offer NET and the publicity NET can give to Cosy Sheridan house concert us, we pay $400.00 per year to NET to Friday May 9 run ‘spots’ announcing our shows. Cosy Sheridan is one of the pre-eminent Fortunately, KZUM and LAFTA are able songwriters on the folk scene documenting the to exchange equally so no dollars are lives of the modern women. Cosy describes involved in running ‘spots’ for our shows. herself as being “on a spiritual quest, with So, how did you hear about the show? occasional moments of tasteless, comic I’ve been on the asking end many times diversion.” Winner of both Kerrville Folk Festival’s and one response I’ve rarely heard is Newfolk award and Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Troubadour award, her musical “Word of mouth”! To me, this should be approach places her in a class apart. She’s played from Carnegie Hall to the Dr. one of the most frequently heard Demento Show to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and many places in between. You can responses. Those of us who are LAFTA count on her humor, warmth, and wonderful voice to entertain you throughout the members AND want this tradition to evening. We love her in Lincoln and are very pleased to have her back on Friday, continue should be out there May 9, 7:30 pm at 857 N. 42nd St. encouraging our friends/ neighbors/ "She’s a wonderfully lively, very funny and enormously amiable entertainer, acquaintances to come see what with a keen and wicked eye for the excesses of our fast-food, TV-happy and LAFTA offers. Not only is LAFTA about noisome culture.” Boston Globe putting on shows, it is about community. “Exactly the kind of artist that Lilith Fair should be celebrating...you never It’s a chance to get together with friends know where you might find a diamond like this. Sheridan is definitely an artist to and to meet new people that share your watch.” Disc Domain love of music. We have had outstanding Donations at the door are $12 and all proceeds go to artist. Call 466-4775 for artists this year. Rarely, does LAFTA reservations or e-mail [email protected] to RSVP, since seating is limited. host a bad show. So, put some trust in us and come out to hear these musicians whose music may not make it (402) 328-0677 to the Top 40 but who have so much CGSMUSIC talent. And, bring a friend! And for one last bit of incentive the Restorations Repairs Instrument Sales Loft has softer, larger chairs! No longer is your backside screaming for mercy by (402) 423-7121 the end of the first set! Harris Music Studio Joan Johnson, Lafta President Private Music Instruction Professional Musician Ensembles Don’t forget to reserve Sunday, September 28, 2008. Head to PO Pears in downtown Lincoln, which will be the new site of the 2008 Plainsong Folk Festival. The indoor, weather and audience friendly site will have a host of performers. Connie Dover & Skip Gorman, and Kusi Taki have committed to the performance with other artists to be named yet. The headliner act is Pavilion 3, consisting of Karen Ashbrook, Paul Oorts and Steve Bloom. Pavilion 3 brings together dance traditions from central Europe and adds the immigrant experience with Afro-Cuban, Persian & Latin drumming. Stately Peruvian drumming joins with 18th century minuets from the courts of Europe. The Flemish Bear Dance swirls with the wild beat of the Persian daf frame drum. Irish reels, Galician muñeiras, sultry Parisian café waltzes and enchanting airs, old and new, are all part of the Pavilion 3 experience. Paul Oorts & Karen Ashbrook started playing as a duo featuring Celtic, Belgian and French music with the recording "Celtic Café" on the Maggie's Music label. They added master percussionist Steve Bloom in 2006. Keep checking www.plainsongfestival.com for updated information and links to the artists. JACKIE JACKIE TICE TICE
MICHAEL MURPHEY
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