ARTS The Michigan Daily Friday, January 29, 1988 Pog~t7 . . . .. .. .. ... .. .. Festival brings home the Folk By Timothy Huet The biggest event on Ann Ar- bor's music calendar occurs this weekend. No, R.E.M. is not return- ing. Tomorrow will mark the 11th occurence of the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, when some of folk music's premeir artists gather to do a benefit for The Ark, our local folk mecca. The upcoming Festival does not boast a performer with popular name recognition like last year's headline act Donovan, but it more than com- pensates with a line-up deep in talent and performing experience. This year's event features at least three acts which possess the status to "headline" a folk festival: Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert, David Bromberg, and Tom Paxton. The duet of Holly Near and Ron- nie Gilbert combines two genera- tions of musical growth and two strong voices for social justice. Near grew up listening to the Weavers, a group including Gilbert and and Pete Seeger. During the late '40s and early '50s, the Weavers spun such classics as "Goodnight Irene" and "On Top of Old Smokey." But the group, suffering from McCarthyite blacklisting for their championing of progressive causes, eventually dis- banded. Yet Gilbert and other Weaver members, who later reunited, never lost their commitment or musical enthusiasm. Gilbert's career would later take a turn for the better when she teamed up with Near, a femi- nist/gay rights activist and singer. The two join moving words and powerful voices. Another person who matured un- der the inspiration of the Weavers is David Bromberg. Bromberg, a multi- talented musician and consumate fiddler, embraces a diverse range of musical styles including blues, country, jazz, folk, and classical. His talent and range is indicated by a short list of the people he has worked with: Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Chubby Checker, and Tom Paxton. Who is Tom Paxton? Well, to begin with, he's John Denver's fa- vorite songwriter. If you're not a John Denver fan, don't let his opin- ion deter you. Paxton counts among his admirers many singers and folk afficionados worldwide. His songs have been sung by performers rang- ing from Arlo Guthrie to Neil Dia- mond, Joan Baez to Dolly Parton. Paxton is best known for his witty and topical numbers. He is familiar to many as the "singing correspon- dent" for National Public Radio news. Rent a Car from Econo-Car We rent to 19 YR. OLD STUDENTS! Choose from small economical cars to vans. Special WEEKEND rates Pick up services upon request We accept cash deposits 1 from Lansing and hometown fa- vorites the RFD Boys. Despite the imposing list of vet- eran and international talent, the performer that may elicit the greatest audience reaction is the relative newcomer from New York, Chris- tine Lavin. Although Lavin has been at her craft for a number of years and has three albums to her credit, she has only recently begun to establish a national reputation. That reputa- tion has been made by a repertoire of outrageously funny songs and observations on everyday life. That repertoire includes a devastating par- ody of Suzanne Vega, a friend of Lavin's. She "does" a song with ba- tons that, well, simply has to be seen to believe (which I have heard from good sources'will be performed at the Festival). In addition to music, the Festival will offer the storytelling of Jackie Torrence. Torrence tells a collection of ghost stories, Appalachian lore, and Afro-American tales. She.is touted as the best of her resurgent art. Ken Whiteley, as emcee, has the formidable task of welding these di- verse elements together. A folk mu- sician himself, Whiteley will play during "set changes" as well as in- troducing the performers. He will have quite a challenge following up so many great acts. THE 11Th ANN ARBOR FOLK FESTIVAL begins tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at hill Auditorium. Tick- ets are on sale for $14.50 and $16 at the Michigan Union Ticket Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Garnet Rogers (left) and Archie Fisher will be among many of the talented acts featured in the line-up of the 11th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium. All proceeds go to benefit the Ark, the year-round site to catch the finest in folk music. Immediate Occupancy For Winter Term All apartments located on central campus Flexable Terms - Maximum Space for Minimum Price Lots of Parking st, Ann Arbor We Pay Heat -- A..l..--(313)l Two other songwriting veterans included on the Folk Festival line-up are Jonathan Edwards and Archie Fisher. Edwards first burst upon the scene in 1971 with his million-sell- ing hit "Sunshine." Although his sensitive music is now considered unfashionable, he still entertains those audiences with which quality never goes out of style. Archie Fisher, accompanied by Garnet Rogers, is a Scottish singer with a voice unsurpassed in richness and tonal depth. Fisher's neighbor from Ireland, Maura O'Connell, will be appearing with her band. O'Connell's voice, matches Fisher's in ability to capti- vate. O'Connell was voted top fe- male vocalist by her fellow coun- trypeople and readers of Hot Press magazine. And getting closer to home, there will be Kitty Donohoe 721 S. Fore "Af 14 -.33 791 _1 23 700 Geddes, Ann Arbor 1215 Hill, Ann Arbor and others...RM 543 Church Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 El The University of Michigan SCHOOL OF MUSIC Sun., Jan. 31 The Piano Sonatas of Franz Schubert, Part IM Eckart Sellheim, piano Recital Hall, School of Music, 8:00 p.m. FREE. For up-to-date programinformation on School of Music events call the 24-Hour Music Hotline, 7634726 1' -- Irish singer Maura Festival tomorrow vocalist in Ireland. O'Connell will be joined by her band at the night. 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