Master of Ceremonies Robert Post and Simone De Biblioteque
Rawlson Bowles joins the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival
Reviews
- "A mature, thoughtful portrait of age, youth, and the place 'where dreams and truth collide." - All Music Guide
- "Carwreck Conversations is chock-full of the smart and catchy, rock- and folk-tinged material that has long made Bowles a coveted performer throughout the Midwest." - The Grand Rapids Press
Quotes
"Ralston's performances are always a treat and filled with the unexpected. He's the Cheshire Cat of the folksters, slyly romping in an unpredictable wonderland." - Michael Packer, Station Manager, WYCE Radio
"Ralston Bowles writes songs like his name: they seem connected to another time, burnished like an heirloom, and yet there they are, clearly as present in the here-and-now as their writer, standing right in front of you." - Peter Mulvey, Singer/Songwriter
"Some artists get better as they get older but most don't. Ralston is an example of the first kind. He has a veterans stage presence, a dry wit and a wise lyric." - Ken Heffner, Director of Student Activities, Calvin College
"Honestly, Ralston Bowles is a treasure, his ability to craft words with song is one completely lost in our 'boyband media soundbite culture' and I have been both humbled and exhilarated by Ralston's work." - Robert Deeble, Singer/Songwriter
"The world is crawling with singer/songwriters who are trying to 'make it' in the music business. And then there's Ralston, who probably couldn't care less about 'making it', but who writes songs that are better than probably three-fourths of those singer/songwriters." - Patrick Power, booking director, Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse Concert Series, East Lansing, MI
"With his balanced approach to Life, Faith and Art, Ralston Bowles has made a lasting impression on me on a personal level. With his music he has inspired me and audiences as well on several occasions when we have shared the stage. He is an observant listener who is ready with fresh insight. " - Michael Johnston, Small Town Poets
"Ralston is the songwriter I want to be when I grow up!" - Drew Nelson, Singer/Songwriter
Fun, Fiddle and Flamenco Jazz..a great combination for the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival June 20 and 21
Joe Craven
is a madman with anything that has strings attached; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar, mouth bow, banjo, berimbau, balalaika, boot ‘n lace plus a world of percussion instruments including animal bones, squeeze toys, cake pans, waste cans, umbrella stands, martini shakers and...Himself. His stage setup more often resembles a yard sale. But there's more to Craven than meets the ear. Educator, visual artist, former museum curator, motivational speaker, actor/storyteller and festival emcee, Joe’s work is born out of respect and reverence and seeks to honor the creative energy in everyone. An advocate of the folk arts, Joe’s educational mission is to empower individuals to take possession of their own music and tell their stories by “demystifying” art through self-expression as a daily ritual.
For almost 17 years, Joe Craven was the highly respected multi-instrumentalist with the David Grisman Quintet... yeah, Joe was the guy with the Ralph Stanley autographed bongos and fiddle. Having played and/or recorded with Jerry Garcia, Stéphane Grappelli, Maria Muldaur, Vassar Clements, The Persuasions, Psychograss, The Alison Brown Quartet, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes, Bob Brozman, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, spoken word maven Ken Nordine and many others, Joe has performed music & sound effects on a wide variety of recordings including commercials, soundtracks, computer games and several Grammy nominated projects.
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James Cohen, originally a rock guitarist for over twenty-five years, has worked with such greats as Mick Ronson and has written and arranged for several bands, winning major Canadian contests as a pop-rock songwriter. His newest CD released on Northern Blues records April 2003 was produced by Richard Bell of Janis Joplin and The Band fame. In 1999 James's guitar playing as part of the group "Del Norte" appeared on a compilation CD called "Puro Flamenco" which also featured Ottmar Liebert. This CD is available in all U.S. record stores on the Neurodisc label, as well as the 2002 release on Borealis records 6 Strings North Of the Border' featuring James Cohen's Flamenco piece, The Wind. Once he was exposed to the outstanding guitar playing of flamenco prodigies Paco De Lucia, Tomatito, and Miguel de la Bastide, there was no turning back for James. He worked day and night learning the complex and subtle rhythms of flamenco, and studied the lightning right-hand techniques of the Spanish gypsies. La Tormenta represents James's love of the more modern Flamenco without sacrificing the integrity and purity of a long and beautiful tradition |
Want to hear some great old timey Cajun music?
Interesting things about cajun music:
And here's a cool link about Michael Doucet and BeauSoleil.
Take a look at Doug Cox and Chris Proctor and then Huun Huur Tu.. for Sept. and Oct... good stuff!!!!
For ongoing information about Seldovia Arts Council events, meetings and musings, I have added a blog we can discuss on-line some of the issues that come up or just get notification or happenings at a moment's notice.
Check it out at http://seldarts.vox.com
For all who are interested in helping to evaluate this year's festival, volunteer for next year's festival (if voted in) and generally join in the discussion, a meeting will be held at the City Multi-Purpose Room on July 30. 4-6. This is an important meeting for all to attend.
We will also be planning for the upcoming event: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet which will be held August 14 at the SBE Commons This is the nation's most renowned Cajun/ Zydeco/Old time Louisiana band. Check the SAC website for the rundown.
We are going to have to provide rooms for these folks for the 13th and 14th.. and maybe the 15th (at their expense).
We are going to have extra sound for these folks as well. (BASE AMP) and more 24 track.. board. plug ins etc...
Michael Doucet - Violin, Guitar, Accordion, Mandolin, Vocals
David Doucet - Guitar, Vocals
Jimmy Breaux - Accordion
Billy Ware - Percussion
Tommy Alesi - Drums
Mitch Reed - Bass, Fiddle, Banjo, Electric Guitar
Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil have claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music. Michael Doucet avec BeauSoleil take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a satisfying musical recipe. From The Grand Ole Opry to Newport Folk, from concert hall to dance floor, the music of BeauSoleil continues to captivate. audiences the world over.
BeauSoleil's latest recording, Live in Louisiana, their first on the Way Down in Louisiana imprint, was released to coincide with the April 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It's their first live album recorded at home, their 28th overall, and it celebrates their 30th anniversary with a wide-ranging set of tunes from across their discography and the Cajun and Creole cultural spectrum.
GET READY FOR GREAT DANCIN’ MUSIC!!!!!!
The Seldovia Arts Council has received three grants:
Project Grant from the State Council on the Arts (helping to support our whole program) $3994.00
WESTAF Grant for Hunn Hurr Tu : Mongolian Throat Singers Oct. 31 $1500 half of the $3000 artist's fee
WESTAF Grant for Bearfoot Bluegrass $1500 which is half of the $3000 artist's fee
This will be the sum total of all grants we receive this year...so we'd better get some fund raisers started...or find more places for grants......
The folks who came to the Dan MAC concert on Saturday Night were treated to an artist's talk and invited... read more
on The "Basket of Hope and Harmony" :What lovely way to burn!"