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Winter Holiday Sampler (Special Event)

  • 27 Dec 2014
  • 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Washington Ethical Society, Washington, DC
Featuring Reverb, Hesperus, and the All New Genetically Altered Jug Band


Most people seem to throw holiday parties before the holiday in question. We?re throwing ours AFTER Chanukah, AFTER Christmas and BEFORE New Year?s Eve! The family gatherings are winding down and shopping is over, except for the gift cards, but there?s no rush for them. Join us for a relaxing, harmonious, entertaining, participatory afternoon of music with some of our talented area performers.


We?ll start with fine a cappella harmonies by Reverb. Perhaps you?ve seen them at the Washington Folk Festival, where they have performed for several years. Look for gospel from the African-American quartet tradition rooted in the 19th century and popularized in the 1930s and 40s. They?ll bring doo-wop, unaccompanied vocals that developed in urban centers in the 1950s and 60s. Expect tradition, inspiration and R&B. Since the group?s formation in 1991, Reverb has performed along the East Coast, toured eastern and southern Africa, the Caribbean and the Persian Gulf, and graced DC?s own Cherry Blossom Festival. They?ve also received Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies) for Best Harmony Group and Best Gospel Group. Regulars include tenor Steve Langley and bass Victor Pinkney.


After our first intermission, we?ll be entertained by the Wammie-winning ensemble

Hesperus. Tina Chancey co-founded the group in 1979 to bring centuries-old chamber-music traditions alive to area audiences. Since then, they?ve toured the world, collaborating with a number of musicians to expand the scope of the ensemble to include world music, American Colonial music, Appalachian traditions and in recent years, providing the live ?soundtrack? to silent films. In this crossover configuration, Tina Chancey plays violins, viols and other bowed strings. Bruce Hutton plays most stringed instruments in traditional American styles. He has brought our folk music into libraries and classrooms on a regular basis for many years and performed as part of Double Decker String Band and currently the old-time group Roustabout. He might include a mouth bow, some blues guitar, or a little dance music in this set. Vocalist Molly Andrews is granddaughter of West Virginia coal miners. Her mountain roots served her well as she has become a noted and award-winning ballad singer. She has also maintained an ongoing stage career, and is an accomplished guitarist and banjo player. She is part of the ?Dear Jean? collection of Jean Ritchie songs, recently released on the Compass label.


After a few more holiday refreshments, we?ll close with some high-energy fun!

The All New Genetically Altered Jug Band took their name more than ten years ago, but three-fourths of the group had already been trading musical licks for many years. Featuring novelty songs of the 20th century, the band includes obscure oldies, parodies, and sometimes even the classic ?Christmas in Jail.? ?Special? Ed Light plays tenor banjo and guitar, sings and adds sound effects. Richard ?Bags? Howard is a long-time horn player, sings and plays slide-whistle on occasion, and wearing different garb, has been known to play perfectly respectable wedding receptions. Jim ?Gutbucketeer? Bunch, known mostly for washtub bass, extends himself with jug, jaw harp and extraneous noises. ?Mr. Scratchy? Ron Goad plays one of those washboards with add-ons, from tin can to bike horn and various other percussion. Train whistles show up too, along with ethnic drums and full trap sets on appropriate occasions. Ron might be the busiest percussionist in town, supporting a number of performances he helps run; he has been active over the years with Focus Music, at the Reston-Herndon Folk Club, with the Songwriters Association of Washington, and is a full-time cheerleader for Washington-area music.


So come listen, sing, laugh and enjoy the end-of-the-year company of some great talent and fellow Folklore Society members. NOTE THE TIME!


Saturday, December 27, 3:30 to 6-ish pm at the Washington Ethical Society Auditorium, 7750 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20012. General admission $15; $10 for FSGW members; students half. Purchase tickets on line through Brown Paper Tickets


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