Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival 2011

Welcome

Seldovia Summer Solstice to the Eleventh Annual

MUSIC FESTIVAL June 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2011

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11th Annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival

Presented by the Seldovia Arts Council with sponsorship assistance from individuals and groups listed on the back cover, plus major funding from the Alaska State Council on the Arts

Beautiful sounds in a beautiful place

moira smiley & VOCO moira smiley & VOCO is a visionary blend of voices - redefining harmony singing with the power & physicality of folksong, the avant-garde fearlessness of Béla Bartók and the delicious, vaudevillian accompaniment of cello, banjo, accordion and body percussion. Moira Smiley leads an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who share a passion for spreading powerful, emotional music with lush four-part vocal harmony, cello, accordion and banjo. Original improvisation-built songs steeped in Appalachia and Eastern Europe. Named #1 a cappella group in the U.S. in 2007, VOCO is the energy of street singing and the elegance of a string quartet. Recently featured in Dirty Linen and on more than 100 radio stations nationwide on NPR’s “Harmonia”, VOCO has released two critically acclaimed CDs in ‘08-’09: “Small Worlds” and “Circle, Square, Diamond & Flag”. VOCO is sweet, hard-driving Americana mixed with crooked eastern European dance and dissonance. It’s all rounded out with body-stompin’ percussive movement and joyous, magnificent, hairraising harmonies - music that mourns and dances at the same time.

Jaime Michaels It’s been a winding musical path from his first solo gigs in the coffeehouses of Boston and Cambridge to several years as a bass player in the acoustic trio, Beckett, opening shows for Livingston Taylor, Doc Watson, Dave Van Ronk and Jonathan Edwards among others.

The 80’s found Jaime living in the South Carolina low country, spreading his rock and roll wings as lead singer for cult rockers “the Truly Dangerous Swamp Band”.

He spent eight years with the Swamp Band, crisscrossing the country playing colleges and bars, learning a whole new musical language, opening shows for rockers like Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton and Paul Barrere’s Bluesbusters.

In the early 90’s, Jaime tired of the rock and roll road life and returned to his first love, acoustic music, but this time with an edge. In 1997 he moved to the southwest desert town of Santa Fe, NM where, for the first time in his career, he began to seriously write. And write. And write some more. Eight solo albums so far, each filled with finely crafted songs that showcase his passionate voice and the varied musical influences he’s absorbed over the years.

Jaime tours the country playing house concerts and festivals from Texas to Alaska, California to Florida. Italy. England. Just Jaime and his wonderfully worn Taylor guitar. And the songs.

Jaime’s latest CD, the man with the time machine, was recently named Album of the Year by the New Mexico Music Awards. As Mark S.Tucker remarks in his FAME review, “Michaels watches the side currents of life, not the hurtlingly frantic noise and images…far more the missed opportunities, the mistakes, the wrinkles in the heart. We may be living through the 21st century, but work like his takes us back to a Mayberry that’s a lot scruffier around the edges, an indeterminate era when our fantasies about such things danced a little differently .”

Billy Goat Seldovia’s own “old timey” group, has been honing their skills by playing at various Seldovia and Girdwood venues and is a town favorite. The group consists of Kari Hendrick, Kirby Corwin, Jeff Snedgen, Chris Lillo, Jen and Curtis Dickson, and Carl Kittrell.

Curtis is This The group consists of Rob Rurka, Tracy Philpot, Mark Janes, Jen Dickson, and Ruth Sensenig.

Mountain Echo First performed in Seldovia in 2004 and since that time have been entertaining folks around Alaska with their songs about the funny side of life. They do many originals and guarantee people a rip roaring good time with their folk oriented views of life, love, largeness and laughter.

Diamonds in the Rough Diamonds in the Rough is a lively and family-friendly fiddle and guitar duo based out of Avon, IN. Fiddler Natalie Grimes (“Nat”), who is 18 years old, is an accomplished and award-winning fiddle player, having recently captured 5th place in the Traditional category of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship held during the International Bluegrass Music Association Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. She has also won other awards around the state of Indiana for her innovative and hot fiddle playing.

Victoria Ingersoll (“Vicka”) is the other half of Diamonds in the Rough. At age 24 she has decided to jump into a new challenge. Victoria played classical guitar for many years, but it wasn’t until recently, when Natalie approached her with the idea of forming a band, that she played bluegrass guitar. Victoria has learned quickly and is looking forward to performing on the road.

Festival Schedule Free event: Thursday afternoon ferry jam on “ Tustumena” en route to Seldovia.

No host volunteer/performer dinner at the “Linwood” 6:00 pm Free event: Thursday evening 8:00 pm for “open mike” at SBE School Commons Yoga Friday and Saturday 8:00 am SBE School Friday morning workshops – 10:00am: Indepth Songwriting Workshop lead by Robin Hopper with the help of other festival performers (Sea Otter Community Center) Learn to country dance with The Nelezens (Eagle) Free event: Saturday Morning 10:00 am for a song circle at the “Tide Pool” restaurant.

Free event: Sunday afternoon 2:00 pm for the Gospel Jam at Dancing Eagles with Judith Lethin.

The Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival formal events will be: Friday and Saturday nights, 7:00-11:30 pm Performers: moira smiley & VOCO, Jaime Michaels, Paul Thompson, Billy Goat, Curtis is This, Mt. Echo, Dan McElrath, Betsy Scott, Brian Slover, Acoustic Banana, Diamonds in the Rough, Bianca DeLeon, Robin Hopper, and the Nelezen Dancers.

Announcers: Susan Mumma, Robin Hopper, Jaime Michaels, and Mark Janes

Join us!

The Seldovia Arts Council needs your support to present arts programming such as you are enjoying at the festival. You can join the Arts Council as an individual or business member by filling out this application and dropping it off at the festival gate.

Name: Business name: Mailing Address: E-mail Address: Telephone: How can I help? Circle the Arts Council activities in which you would like to participate: Literary Committee School Programs Housing Transportation Food Stage Crew Fundraising Grant Writing Performer Workshop Provider Facility Committee Board member Other: Please make your check payable to the Seldovia Arts Council Individual $15 Business $50 Sponsor: $ What arts events would you like to see in Seldovia?

Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Friday evening performanceS

Welcome 7:00 pm

Brian Slover

Native American Flute

7:30 pm

Paul Thompson

20th Century One Man Band

8:00 pm

Diamonds in the Rough

Fiddle/Guitar

8:30 pm

Dan McElrath

piano/soloist

9:00 pm

– INTERMISSION –

9:15 pm

moira smiley & VOCO

vocals/body percussion

10:05 pm

Jaime Michaels

singer/songwriter

10:35 pm

Billy Goat

Bluegrass

All evening performances will be in the Susan B. English School Commons.

The gate opens for seating at 6:00 pm; admission is by ticket only. Proceeds from t-shirt sales benefit the Seldovia Arts Council and help fund the solstice festival; sale of CDs benefits the artists and performers.

Restrooms for festival attendees are in hallways adjacent to the school Commons; ask at the gate for directions. Food and drink are not permitted in the Commons or classrooms. The school is a non-smoking area. Lost & Found is at the gate during the festival; after the festival lost items may be retrieved from the Seldovia City Office (907-234-7643).

Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Saturday Afternoon Workshops

1:00 PM Songwriting Tips........................Jaime Michaels & Paul Thompson (Eagle) Fingerstyle Guitar........................................................Bianca DeLeon (Beluga) Ring & Sing: Choirchimes & Boomwhackers................................ Robin Hopper

(Sea Otter Community Center*)

2:00 PM Line Dance......................................................................................Nelezen (Eagle) How to be on the Road & NOT Kill Each Other...Rough Diamonds (Beluga) Slow Hand Jam.......................Kevin Cassity (Sea Otter Community Center*)

3:00 PM Stomp, Holler & Harmonize...........................moira smiley & VOCO (Eagle) Autoharp Techniques.......................................................Steve Hinds (Beluga)

Admission to workshops is via the main festival gate and is by ticket only.

Purchase workshop tickets at the gate. Admission to workshops will not begin until the previous workshop has concluded. Restrooms for festival attendees are in hallways adjacent to the school Commons or individual venues; ask at the gate for directions. Food and drink are not permitted in the Commons or workshop areas; all festival areas are non-smoking. *Please note the Sea Otter Community Center is what was formerly the Seldovia Boy’s & Girl’s Club building.

Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Saturday evening performanceS

Welcome 7:00 pm

Mt. Echo

humorists/autoharp/Mandolin

7:30 pm

Bianca DeLeon

singer/songwriter

8:00 pm

Betsy Scott

vocalist

8:30 pm

Accoustic Banana

multi-instrumental/harmonies

9:00 pm

Robin Hopper

singer/songwriter

9:30 pm

– INTERMISSION –

9:45 pm

Jaime Michaels

singer/songwriter

10:35 pm

moira smiley & VOCO

vocals/body percussion

11:05pm

Curtis is This

Rock and Roll

All evening performances will be in the Susan B. English School Commons.

The gate opens for seating at 6:00 pm; admission is by ticket only. Proceeds from t-shirt sales benefit the Seldovia Arts Council and help fund the solstice festival; sale of CDs benefits the artists and performers.

Restrooms for festival attendees are in hallways adjacent to the school Commons; ask at the gate for directions. Food and drink are not permitted in the Commons or classrooms. The school is a non-smoking area. Lost & Found is at the gate during the festival; after the festival lost items may be retrieved from the Seldovia City Office (907-234-7643).

Paul Thompson Paul Thompson is a singer-songwriter from the UK, influenced by artists such as NeilYoung, James Taylor and John Martyn.

Using a loop box to layer guitar, vocals and rhythm, he describes himself as a “20th Century One Man Band!”

Acoustic Banana Acoustic Banana rose to prominence amongst their Facebook friends and family at the 2010 Seldovia Music Festival. Their music has proven to be ripe and fruitful. The current incarnation of AB is Lisa (vocals) and Mari (violin, vocals) Jamieson, Peter (guitar and vocals) and Matt (violin) Crimp, Kevin (banjo, mando, vocals) Cassity and Kippy (percussion, vocals) Lanz.

Brian Slover Brian Slover is returning with his beautiful Native Flute to the stage of The Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival for the second year. On quiet mornings, most days, this beautiful, relaxing sound can be heard wafting its way up the Seldovia Slough.

Betsy Scott Seldovia’s songstress extrodinare Graduate of UC Santa Cruz. Involved in the performing arts in Santa Barbara, LA, San Fransisco, CA and Alaska for 40 + years as director, producer, performer, and educator. San Fransisco Critics Circle award for best actress in “Two O’clock Feeding” and best supporting actress in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child” @ the Magic Theatre. Actress with the Alaska Rep Theatre for two seasons. Artistic Director of Valley Performing Arts in Palmer, AK and of Pacific Rim Theater in Anchorage, AK at Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse.

Robin Hopper Robin is an award winning songwriter and a decorated music educator from Chugiak. The Anchorage Daily news describes her music as “As warm and comforting as a favorite sweater.”

Bianca DeLeon Bianca DeLeon – The Tex-Mex border ballad is a specialized genre, and there are only a few artists who excel at it. De Leon is one of them and nearly in a class of her own. proves once again that she’s as good a singer as she is a songwriter.

– Dirty Linen “A voice from Texas that does it right” – Guy Clark

The Nelezens Anne Renier has owned/operated her dance studio (The Anne Renier Dance Academy) for 36 yrs., teaching children and adults the arts of tap, ballet and jazz. Anne married Robert Nelezen in 1995, and they progressed into teaching ballroom and country dance, as well. The Nelezen’s reside in Abrams Wi. This will be their third time visiting Seldovia, and are excited to be involved in the Solstice festival.

Dan McElrath A sought after pianist with three CD’s to his credit, Dan McElrath has performed for the past 30 years in venues across America covering a wide range of musical styles from gospel to contemporary jazz. The Dan Mac Quintet is presently touring with their just released CD “Ajazzka” which is a musical jazz mosaic of Alaska composed and performed by Dan. Many also know Dan as Alaska’s premier piano technologist.

Recently, Dan was part of a piano tuning adventure extraordinaire, transporting a grand piano to the snow covered Chugiak Mountains...ask him why?

Seldovia Arts Council Summer Solstice Music Festival Crew Festival Committees: Director: Susan Mumma Publicity : Laurel Hilts Ads and Website: Susan Mumma T-shirts and Merchandise: Darlene Crawford Travel: Tania Spurkland Housing: Jerry Stranik Sound: Sadi Synn, Dan McElrath, and Veda McElrath Stage Managers: Rose McInnes and Bob Moser Open Mike: Ruth Sensenig Green Room: Felicia Rowland Stage Crew: Tobben Spurkland, Margie and Byron McCord, Tania Spurkland, Susan Zerwick, Sherri Burt, Felicia Rowland, Ruth Sensenig, Suzie & Jerry Stranik Hospitality: Suzie Stranik Performer Dinner: Suzie Stranik and Happy Schneider Financials and Sponsorship: Tobben Spurkland Program Design: Kathleen George Thank you to the many Seldovia Arts Council and other community members who helped plan and stage this festival: City of Seldovia (Tim and Mary), Bob Moser, Happy Schneider, Sherri Burt, Byron McCord, Jackie Graese, Rose McInnes, Mike Webber, Monty Hingley and the many others who generously donated their time and support.

A special thank you to Seldovia Village Tribe for printing the program and to Renee Purpura for cheerfully helping out with the use of the school.

AND, thanks in advance to all those folks who turn out to help us clean up: Monday 10am (or as announced at Saturday’s performance)

Seldovia Arts Council

www.seldoviaartscouncil.wordpress.com

President: Darlene Crawford Executive Director: Susan Mumma Vice President: Laurel Hilts Treasurer: Tobben Spurkland Secretary: Tania Spurkland Board of Directors: Betsy Scott, Rebecca Lambourn, Suzie Stranik, Ruth Sensenig, and Sadi Synn

The Seldovia Arts Council thanks its Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival

Sponsors The Seldovia Arts Council would like to especially thank the Alaska State Council on the Arts for their continued support of the arts programming in our community!

MegaStar ($500+) Gerald M. Stranik DDS June M. Uminski Trust Bradford G. Keithley

Tide Pool CafĂŠ Michael J. Keenan

SuperStar ($200+) Mike Webber Aunties Whole Foods Mad Fish Restaurant Robert D. Maurer Crabpot Grocery

Star

Susan Zerwick Uminski Family Trust Seldovia Seacatch Integrity Survey, Inc. Doug & Janett Garrison

Margie & Byron McCord Alaskan Grace Mark & Felicia Rowland Sea Parrot Inn George & Trina Smallwood Gary Bader

Housing donors

Tania & Tobben Spurkland Jerry & Suzie Stranik Val & Zane Henning Corkey & Carol Myers

Susan Mumma Tim & Savannah Lethin Mike Weber Pollacks - Boardwalk Hotel

Other in-kind donations Dancing Eagles (Gospel jam site) Seldovia Village Tribe (printing) Herring Bay Mercantile (ticket pre-sales) Susan B. English School (venue) Sea Otter Community Center (venue) TidePool Cafe (Song circle site) Seldovia Chamber of Commerce (publicity)

Thank You!