RSS Syndication
FolkWorks RSS Syndication
|
FolkWorks is supported in part by |
|
|
|
Site Statistics
Visitors: 346664
|
|
Topanga Banjo ● Fiddle
Contest
and Folk Festival
May 18th, 2008
at Paramount Ranch near Agoura Hills, California in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area
The main goal of the Topanga Banjo●Fiddle Contest has always
been to produce maximum participation within an affordable, quality event, one
which enables thousands of people, in an outdoor, non-commercial setting, to
experience the joy of acoustic music, folk singing and folk dancing. Through
volunteer participation and sponsorship, its proceeds continue to go toward
charitable causes and the promotion of old time and Bluegrass
music activities.
Every year spectator attendance grows. Every year the number
of contestants grows. Every year the quality of music and dancing improves.
Even if it's a simple version of "Cripple Creek," the level of
playing shows there was more practicing done this time in an effort to top last
years winners. Every year respected and talented people from the Old Time &
Bluegrass community donate their day to judging the contestants. Bluegrass is judged separately from traditional styles
and there is always a good representation from both groups.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
JOIN FOLKWORKS
WELCOME TO FOLKWORKS
As our byline says: We are the source for Folk/Traditional Music, Dance and Storytelling and other related Folk Arts in the greater Los Angeles area. In the tradition of our print publication which as printed from January 2000 to July 2007, we continue to release our columns bi-monthly. (For those of you interested, you can view the archives in PDF format.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization that is supported by our members (this could be you) and a handful of advertisers who are important and relevant to our readers. We treasure our writers and editors, all of whom are volunteers and hope you like what you find in these pages.
You can show your support by becoming a member. (see the Join FolkWorks button on the side). Your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.
Thank you all for the encouragement you have given us over the years.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
May-June 2008
SUZY WILLIAMS AND HER SOLID SENDERS
performing at the Temple Bar throughout 2008
By Joel Okida
About a mile and a half from the boardwalk and just past the
promenade of Third Street
in Santa Monica,
on a stage encompassed by shadow and red, a raven-tressed figure gyrates back
and forth to the big beat of a sizzling band. The LA Weekly calls her, "L.A.'s Diva Deluxe," but
perhaps a better monicker would be Suzy "the Doozy" Williams. Williams coaxes
and cajoles her Solid Senders 8-piece rhythm section to reach for that
something extra on the upbeat tunes and eyelashes them to caress those minor
keys on the ballads. On any given night, the Solid Senders include: Kahlil
Sabbagh (bandleader and vibes), Brad Kay (piano), Dave Jones (bass), Nick
Scarmack (drums), Danny Moynahan (sax), Dan Heffernan (sax), Dave Weinstein
(trombone and arrangements) and Corey Gemme (trumpet).
|
|
Read more...
|
|
COLUMN OF THE WEEK
|
|
|
May-June 2008
FOOD IS MUSIC
By David King
Food and music have a lot in common. Throughout history,
food grown in the community, like music in the community, was not just the best
- it was the only food or music available. The last one hundred years witnessed
a transition as these homegrown resources have been replaced by commodities for
mass consumption.
The effects of both have been similarly corrosive. Lots of
people can eat and hear the same stuff, but is that the best we can do? Most of
the food we eat from the market, especially the pre-packaged microwave and
instant meal items are composed of a chemist's mutation of corn and soy beans.
The varieties of plants we actually eat have been whittled down from hundreds
to a few that modern science can manipulate into different concoctions with a
box and a label. The Los Angeles FM dial reveals a similar phenomenon. Most
radio listeners are given sparse choice from music that has been homogenized to
conform to a format that the recording companies believe will ‘sell.'
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
CD REVIEW OF THE WEEK
|
May-June 2008
AND THE BEATS GO ON ...
ARTIST:
WICKED TINKERS
TITLE: RANT
By Joel Okida
Some hear the clarion call of the bagpipes and the ears perk
up, the heart races, and the sonority reverberates through the core. Even if
you don't have a molecule of Celtic DNA in your spittle, everyone has a
reaction to the echoing exhalations of the unique bag, chanter and drone
instrument. When combined with the sonorous beating of drums and the unique
bellow of the didgeridoo, something primal and immediate hits the psyche. Whether
it's your cup of tea or mug of grog, Wicked Tinkers provide an invitation to
explore those internal rumblings, subtle or undiscovered though they may be.
With RANT, Wicked Tinkers offer up one of their most
colorful recordings. And, although there is no substitute for a live
performance, pushing the volume control throttle of your sound system when
listening to this recording will provide a close rendering of the group, at
least sonically.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Support FolkWorks Advertisers
|
|
|
|
