Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at the door.
Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Workshop: Dick Hensold also will be presenting a workshop at Dusty Strings at 1.30 PM.  Click here for more information.

Dick Hensold is a full-time freelance musician specializing in early music; traditional music of Scotland, Ireland and Northumberland; Nordic folk music, and Cambodian traditional music. He performs on the Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from Northeast England), Swedish bagpipes (säckpipa), Medieval greatpipes, Scottish Highland pipes, recorder, seljefløyte (Norwegian willow flute), low whistle and traditional Cambodian reed instruments. He has taught Northumbrian smallpipes at workshops in the United States, Canada, and Northumberland.

He played in the band Way Up North from 1993-7 (self-released CD in 1995) and has been principal composer and arranger for the bagpipe-oriented quartet, Piper’s Crow, since 1998 (released CD in 2006), as well making numerous solo and duo appearances.  He released his solo CD, Big Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes, in August 2007.

A recorder and early music major at Oberlin Conservatory, he has appeared as recorder soloist with the Twin Cities-based baroque orchestra Lyra Concert since 1986, and also appeared with the Chicago Early Music Consort, Ex Machina, Circle of Sound, and the Minnesota Orchestra.  His research interest in early Scottish music resulted in a lecture and concert appearance at the 1997 Lowland and Border Piper’s Society collogue in Peebles, Scotland.  The proceedings of this conference, along with Hensold’s two other related papers, were published as “Out of the Flames” in 2004.

Tickets: $14 advance, $18 at the door.

Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Radim Zenkl was born in Opava, Czech Republic. He grew up in the town of Ostrava (about 200 miles east of Prague), where his father teaches classical music at the University of Ostrava. Zenkl began his musical studies with piano and singing, then later on classical guitar. In addition to classical music, his early influences were folk music and Czech unique “tramp music”. He began playing the mandolin at thirteen.

The discovery of bluegrass music came by listening to records that were smuggled in via those that had escaped from this communist country. The sound of a bluegrass mandolin initiated the spark that launched a decision to play music as a career at the age of seventeen and subsequently led Zenkl beyond bluegrass to an eclectic array of styles. Zenkl’s choice of mandolin came as no great joy to his father, who claimed that the instrument had no “real” repertoire, fueling his desire to create one of his own. He started transcribing music from other instruments and later on began composing.

Radim’s style features progressive original and eastern European traditional music flavored with bluegrass, jazz, new age, flamenco, rock, classical and other. The US Mandolin Champion is at the cutting edge of the mandolin’s future, designing new instruments within the mandolin family and creating new playing techniques which sound like two instruments simultaneously. Besides collaborating with the top musicians of the acoustic music scene, Radim has built up an extensive repertoire for solo mandolin, mandola and Irish bouzouki. He has recorded eight solo CDs (released on Acoustic Disc, Shanachie and Ventana) and has appeared on more than sixty other recordings.

Zenkl went on to record two CDs for David Grisman‘s record label “Acoustic Disc”. Galactic Mandolin (1992) is comprised of 13 original solo works, each in a different tuning. Czech It Out (1994) features original and Czech and Slovak traditional tunes on solo mandolin, mandocello and mandolin banjo.

On several occasions in 1995 he substituted for Mike Marshall in the classical group Modern Mandolin Quartet.

In the same year, Zenkl signed a recording contract with Shanachie Records and recorded String & Wings, which was released in 1996. Included in this CD are improvised duets with 20 different artists such as Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, David Grisman, Tony Rice and Rob Wasserman among others, featuring 20 different acoustic string instruments. A new CD entitled Restless Joy was released in November 1999.

Today, Zenkl’s virtuosity and innovation have placed him at the forefront of the modern acoustic music scene.

Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at the door.
Click here to purchase advance tickets.

The Haunted Windchimes sound is very traditional folk and blues and the songs have a vintage quality, as if they might have been written yesterday or 75 years ago.

It’s the vocal harmonies that really set them apart, a three-headed juggernaut of Desirae Garcia (ukulele), Chela Lujan (banjo) and Inaiah Lujan (guitar). When their voices blend, it is nothing short of beautiful. The sound is often moody and melancholy, but it is always deeply affecting. That sound is embroidered by the instrumental mastery of Mike Clark (harmonica, guitar and mandolin) and the standup bass foundation of Sean Fanning.
– Bill Reed, The Colorado Springs Gazette

“With gorgeous harmonies, striking originals and an encyclopedic knowledge of music older than the three of them combined.”
– Bill Forman, Colorado Springs Independent

“The ghost of classic blues mingles with a pop sensibility that’s given an edge by incredibly touching harmonies.”
– Jon Pompeii, Pueblo Chieftain

“The Windchimes are, beyond a reasonable doubt, one of Colorado’s most significant musical treasures.”
– Adam Leech, Colorado Springs Independent

“The Haunted Windchimes paint an evocative and compelling musical picture with familiar hues of folk, blues and Americana.”
– Cory Casciato, Denver Westword

“The Pueblo group Haunted Windchimes opened the show (for Arlo Guthrie Sept. 6, 2010) with a set of old-timey Western swing music that was so fun and so tight, it was clear this group is ready for prime time.”
– Warren Epstein, Colorado Springs Gazette

“They recreate the vibe of rural 1930s music with a contemporary consciousness.  The rustic, honeyed harmonies are a delight.”
– Bruce Sylvester, Sing Out! Magazine

“Traditional, old-timey backwoods, backporch music that burrowed its way into your head and then refused to budge.”
– The Mad Mackerel (UK Music Blog)

Tickets: $8 advance, $12 at the door.
Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Shannon Stephens began her musical career in 1994 as the voice of the band Marzuki, a folk-rock ensemble assembled by Sufjan Stevens.   After Marzuki disbanded, Shannon began to perform and record on her own. She recorded her self-titled debut LP in 1999, the same year she moved to Seattle and shared the stage with the likes of Denison Witmer, Rosie Thomas, Jason Harrod and Damien Jurado. But by the time the new album had come back from the manufacturer, she had realized that all this music stuff was a lot of work. The boxes went into her garage and collected dust for nine years while she got married, read copious amounts of books, had a daughter, and did lots of hippy stuff like growing potatoes, canning preserves, and making kombucha.

In 2008, one of her songs (“I’ll Be Glad”) was covered by Bonnie Prince Billy on his album Lie Down In The Light. Shannon pulled her head out in time to release her second album, The Breadwinner, in 2009, which Rachel Sanders at Exclaim! described as “…a spectacularly beautiful and fiercely compelling sophomore album” and Sufjan Stevens called “…a joyful, heartful collection of quiet, gorgeous songs”.  In 2010, Asthmatic Kitty Records re-released Shannon’s self-titled debut.  Shannon performs locally and nationally, solo or with her band, and will release a third album in spring 2012.

Jeff Fielder is an exceptional and accomplished guitarist and instrumentalist. Based in the Seattle area, Jeff has worked and recorded with artists from all over the musical spectrum. Most recently  Duff McKagen, Amy Ray, Rocky Votolato and Kasey Anderson. Also being a member of a number of bands including Sera Cahoone, Lindsay Fuller and extensive touring with Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, Fielder keeps very busy. All the while, Jeff has kept a foot in a solo career. Releasing the solo record Last Disguise in 2007 and playing compelling shows, both solo acoustic and with various instrumentation.

The overall theme of the solo work is rooted in a very rich tradition of blues and roots music combined with thoughtful guitar playing and soulful vocals. Jeff hopes to focus a bit more on solo projects in the coming year, play more solo shows and put out a new record in 2012.

Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at the door.
Click here to purchase advance tickets.

“The He Said…She Said…Folk Tour”
Featuring Shook Twins & John Craigie
Eclectic Blend of Folk, Roots, Pop and Fun
Touring Throughout Pacific Northwest
www.shooktwins.com ~ www.johncraigiemusic.com

“A unique, personal music that lights up the stage with its joy and enthusiasm.” Mason Jennings

Portland OR — Identical twins Laurie Shook (vocals, banjo, percussion and beatboxing) and Katelyn Shook (vocals, guitar and mandolin), are two thirds of the quirky folk trio, Shook Twins. Rounding out the trio, often referred to as the  “third twin,” is Kyle Volkman on bass. The Shook Twins intertwine gorgeous “twin” harmonies with an eclectic and eccentric blend of folk, roots, pop and fun. Jeff Rosenberg of the Willamette Weekly says, “Their songs are witty and well-built, the performances poised, the production adventurous. Recently transplanted to Portland, Shook Twins are the most exciting local folk act I’ve heard in ages. Strike that word “local” and the sentiment still stands.”

Originally from Sandpoint Idaho, the twins have been making music together since childhood. Playful, warm and lighthearted, a Shook Twins show percolates with the twins infectious radiant energy. Pristine vocals layered on top of traditional stringed folk instruments, create lovely aural imagery of two women with one sound.

But don’t be fooled. The Shook Twins are not your average folk trio. They have a few tricks up their sleeves. Laurie may drop a beatbox in the middle of a song, while Katelyn plays the guitar, glockenspiel, mandolin, and sings into a telephone and bocks like a chicken. Laurie plays wah-wah Banjo and loops various melodies and beats to make it sound like more than just two identical twin sisters. Meanwhile Kyle lays down the groove adding resonant bass lines to the mix. It’s a refreshing romp filled with unexpected surprises.

This past year the Shook Twins have been touring behind their sophomore CD Window, released in April 2011, taking them throughout much of the Northwest. Along the way, The Shook Twins have shared the stage with artists including Ryan Adams, Mason Jennings, Laura Veirs, The Fruit Bats, Jonatha Brooke, Michelle Shocked, JJ Gray and MoFro, Crooked Still, Jason Webley, The BoDeans, Elephant Revival, The Head and The Heart and many more. Festival performances this past summer included the Oregon Country Fair, Sisters Folk Fest, Northwest String Summit, Idaho Down, Sawtooth Music Festival & Sandy Summer Acoustic Series.

San Francisco, CA — For the past seven years, John Craigie has taken his unique musical style across the western United States. He stays true to the essence of folk music, and the traditions of the seminal writers of our past century. With timeless melodies and insightful lyrics—interspersed with witty storytelling—his songs take many poetic turns before bringing you back home. His themes range from social commentary to personal empowerment, political satire, and modern love. He has traveled all of this planet, having played in all 50 states and beyond, bringing his music to the world. John Craigie writes, sings, and plays for the people.

Tickets: $14 advance, $18 at the door.
Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Two fiddlers from widely respected bands (Brittany Haas of Crooked Still, and Lauren Rioux from Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings) are joining forces. As a duo, the women bring their extensive knowledge of Appalachian music and experience of being at the forefront of the contemporary string band scene, as well as the strength and depth of seasoned performers. Their music is steeped in groove, emotion-filled and harmonically progressive. The joy they share on stage as they weave and dance through duets on their instruments and vocals is palpable among audience.

“Enchanting, thoughtful and musically satiating”
-Portland Herald

Brittany Haas is a 5 string fiddle player from Northern California, currently residing in Nashville. A Princeton graduate, she is a member of the Boston-based alternative bluegrass band, Crooked Still. She has spent the past 11 years touring the world with various musicians and groups such as Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings, Yonder Mountain String Band, Tony Trischka, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, and The Waybacks.

She played fiddle on Steve Martin‘s Grammy Award-winning CD, The Crow, and performed in his band on “The David Letterman Show” and “Saturday Night Live”. Herdebut self-titled solo album was released in 2004, produced by Darol Anger and featuring Bruce Molsky, Mike Marshall, Alison Brown and others. She recently recorded a soon-to-be-released project with hardanger fiddler and composer Dan Trueman featuring their own original music. She also plays in an all-girl indie old-time band called The Fundies and an exciting new duo with fiddler Lauren Rioux.

Lauren Rioux fiddles from the heart with soul and joy. This, in combination with her warm tone, elegantly expressive phrasing and playful style, leads her to create music that artfully explores themes of both heartache and hope. With her debut album, All the Brighter, Lauren presents a beautiful collection of melodies that embrace and celebrate the richness of life. Rooted in the old-time tradition, and drawing inspiration from a wide swath of musicians, from Sam Cooke to Hillary Hahn, her music is at once timeless and fresh.

Lauren performs regularly with Darol Anger, Scott Law, and Mike Block in the band Republic of Strings, and Scott Nygaard and Joe Walsh in Crow Molly. She also tours with fellow fiddler and All the Brighter producer Brittany Haas of Crooked Still. She has shared the stage with Bruce Molsky, Tim O’Brien, Mike Marshall, Vasen, Laurie Lewis, Natalie Haas and others at such festivals as Wintergrass, Delfest,Rockygrass, and Celtic Connections.

Tickets: $20 advance, $24 at the door.

Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Kitchen tables, springs, loss, miners, mountains, culture clash, trailers, stray dogs, loggers, hope, forest fires—Rita Hosking‘s country-folk music is this and more, and always fierce and lovely. Her delivery is, to put it simply, intense. “From the first time I heard Rita sing, her voice gripped me and did not let go,” (Joe Craven.)

That voice, called a “soulful howl from the mountains” (California Bluegrass Association) is calling attention around the country—”What? California girls don’t sing like that!!?” But Rita, called “the real thing” by CA acoustic music fans, will tell you about her upbringing in rural Shasta County, and the old-time band of seasoned mountain characters that took her under their wings. “This California girl comes by her mountain-music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family’s frontier experience,” (Dan Ruby, FestivalPreview.com.) A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice.

Rita’s songs have been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised for capturing the audience. Honors include winner of Best Country Album (Vox Pop) in the 2010 Independent Music Awards, winner of the ’08 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival, finalist in the ’09 Telluride Troubadour Contest, and others as well. “There’s a grit to her songs and sinewy toughness to her voice that weave their own spell,” (Q Magazine.)

Come Sunrise, a collection of 11 original songs and Rita’s third album, was released in June of 2009. Recorded in Austin, Texas with producer and guitarist Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen, Caroline Herring,) Come Sunrise launches Rita onto the international Americana scene with players such as Brotherton himself, Lloyd Maines, Warren Hood, Glenn Fukunaga, and many more. “Superb country-folk from a brilliant singer-songwriter,” (Americana UK.) In addition to her ’07 Silver Stream and ’05 Are You Ready? featuring members of her band “Cousin Jack,” Come Sunrise completes a collection of well received recordings.

Rita performs in variable configurations including solo, duo or trio, and often as a quartet called “Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack,” –Rita on guitar, Sean Feder on banjo, dobro, bass and guitar, Andy Lentz on fiddle, and Bill Dakin on bass and guitar.