FAR-West Spotlights: Community
A series of virtually hosted events celebrating
the rich cultural musical diversity of FAR-West.
Direct Video Link:
https://youtu.be/BHCXQri0Fws
Monday, June 21st, 7-9 PM PDT
FAR-West Community: The Woodshed Sessions Presents
“Americana Bridge: Trad Meets the Modern Singer-Songwriter”
Hosted by Susie Glaze
Featuring Brad Colerick, Iona Fyfe,
Lauren Sheehan, and Rick Shea
The Woodshed Sessions Presents “Americana Bridge: Trad Meets the Modern Singer-Songwriter” was conceived to showcase how the modern “Americana” song composer utilizes elements of traditional songs, melodies, themes and topics, for modern songwriting, setting up the use of older forms and bringing a contemporary vision to the universal elements of the human condition in music. Our artists reveal the powerful pull to the older stories in the tunes they write and perform today.
The Woodshed Sessions began as a monthly concert series at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, California, curated by The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble. Each month would bring brand new writing and songs to the stage from the “woodshedding” being done to develop new music. During the pandemic, The New Folk Ensemble moved to a monthly Facebook LIVE event, often with special guests.
https://www.facebook.com/WoodshedSessionsOnline
South Pasadena’s ‘Nighttime Mayor’— Brad Colerick writes songs that seep into your heart with a single listen. His finely wrought, plainspoken lyrics find the poetry in everyday language. Billboard Magazine called him “one of a baker’s dozen of acts to watch in the folk community around the world.”
http://www.bradcolerick.com/
Aberdeenshire singer, Iona Fyfe, has become one of Scotland’s finest and most recognized young folk singers, rooted deeply in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. She has been described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer,” and is an advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language. Iona was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021 competition and has toured throughout the UK, and Europe, Canada and Australia.
http://www.ionafyfe.com/
Lauren Sheehan‘s accomplished guitar, banjo and mandolin work behind her distinctive vocals is inspired by old American blues and folk traditions, time spent with elders, scholarship and musical training. From fronting a 9-piece band to solo work, this vivacious ‘songster’ delights audiences with the breadth of her material, evocative artistry and musicianship, blending old and new music around timeless themes.
http://www.laurensheehanmusic.com/
Southern California singer-songwriter Rick Shea got his early musical education in the bars and honky-tonks of San Bernardino. His songs reflect the folk, country, rock and Mexican influences he grew up with. “.. a master songwriter.” Alan Cackett. “… Shea may be southern California’s best kept secret.” Terry Paul Roland
http://www.rickshea.com/
Award-winning recording artist, Broadway singer, journalist, educator and critically-acclaimed powerhouse vocalist, Susie Glaze has been called “one of the most beautiful voices in bluegrass and folk music today.” (KPFK) “…an incomparable…flat-out superb vocalist…Glaze delivers warm, amber-toned vocals that explore the psychic depth of a lyric with deft acuity and technical perfection.” (LA Weekly)
http://www.susieglaze.com/
FAR-West Community Programming – Born from a union of connection and diversity. Just as a large city has many neighborhoods with distinct flavors, full of unique people drawn together, FAR-West has dozens, maybe hundreds of groups of people with common bonds spread throughout our region.
Commonalities can include cities, rural or suburan locations, many styles of music, or dance, or spoken word arts. It can be a product of age, or appreciation of nature, or of bookstores and the variety of listeners, players and presenters they attract and so much more.
In our Community programming, we will be reaching out all over the West (and possibly even beyond) to present a platform where we can all learn and appreciate more about our region. What are they up to? How do they do it? What can I learn from them? What do I have to offer them to help them with their needs?
Our diversity makes us richer. Knowing about each other makes us stronger. We learn from and inspire each other. Tune into FAR-West Community programming. It’s musical and cultural vitamins for your artistic life.
Press Release: Community
Date: June 2nd, 2021
By: Jeanette Lundgren,
FAR-West Board Secretary
& Communications Director