Colorscape: Feast for the eyes and ears

The lineup of performers for the 13th Annual Colorscape Arts Festival on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9 in Norwich is complete and includes a stunning mix of Celtic, jazz, bluegrass, a cappella, rock n’ roll, and acoustical singer-songwriters in a free outdoor festival. The lineup of performers gracing the NBT Main Stage includes:

SATURDAY
10 Ron Palmer & Mark Sherwood
11 The McKrells
12 Pat Wictor with Cheryl Prashker
1 Red Molly
2 Jeremy Kittel & The World Band
3 Fetish Lane
4 Ellis Paul
5 John & Mary (of 10,000 Maniacs) with the Valkyries

SUNDAY
11 Gospel Show with various performers
12 SONiA with disappear fear
1 The Kennedys
2 Aztec Two-Step
3 Lunasa
4 Prof. Louie & the Crowmatix

The lineup of musicians is arranged by Ken Millet, owner of the well-renown Night Eagle Café located at 200 State Street in Binghamton, NY. The caliber of performers at this year’s Colorscape is truly impressive, and you get to see them all for free.
Professor “Louie” & The Crowmatix from Woodstock, NY, are known for their great live shows, songwriting, singing, and jamming. They have been touring and recording nationally for the past five years and are making a return appearance at Colorscape. They also have performed at premier clubs including B.B. Kings & The Bottom Line in New York City, The House of Blues in Los Angeles, The Towne Crier and The Turning Point, NY, and Fitzgeralds in Chicago just to name a few.
“Ireland’s newest supergroup… the hottest acoustic band on the planet,” stated the Irish Voice. Since their auspicious beginning, Lunasa has become one of the most sought-after bands on the international Irish music scene. The band’s inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory. On their first American visit, word-of-mouth led to sold-out shows and rave reviews.
Rex Fowler from Pittsfield, Maine, and Neal Shulman of New York City met one “open mike” night at a Boston folk club in the spring of 1971. Each impressed by the other’s talents, they joined forces and Aztec Two-Step (named for a line from “Coney Island of the Mind” by Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti) was born. After 30-plus years as a staple of FM radio, major label recording contracts and world-wide touring, Rex and Neal have become one of the folk music’s most popular and enduring acts. They continue to wow audiences with intelligent songwriting, hot acoustic lead guitar, and great harmonies.
The story of Pete and Maura Kennedy’s personal and professional relationship, now in its second decade, is somewhere between fate and a fairytale. How else can you explain a chance meeting in Austin between two East Coast-born musicians that immediately sparked a song writing collaboration, a first date at Buddy Holly’s grave, an enduring romance, and a creative partnership that radiates warmth, positive energy, and captivating music?
SONiA has become one of the most visible and important troubadours of our time. SONiA’s uncompromisingly honest songs blend the personal with the political. She writes frank and captivating low songs and confronts the hypocrisies and biases of our culture with a positive message of openness and optimism. Recently nominated for a Grammy and an OUT Music Award for her current CD, Baltimore’s favorite singer/songwriter uses her musical palette to paint post 9-11 issues, hypocritical scenarios, and the simple belief that love is love.
The folk duo John and Mary (of 10,000 Maniacs fame) has always had a bit of dichotomy – hauntingly pristine live performances on one hand combined with a full-blown band instrumentation on their recorded work. Those albums included some of the world’s most enigmatic musicians. Now, John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey have augmented their new group, The Valkyries, with some of the Buffalo’s most interesting musicians as well. The collection includes Patrick Kane, Rob Lynch, Kent Weber, Joe Rozler and Nelson Star.
Ellis Paul is one of the leading voices in America’s thriving singer-songwriter/folk circuit. He was a principle leader in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, an urbane, literate folk-pop style that helped ignite the folk revival of the 1990s. Though he remains among the most pop-friendly of today’s singer-songwriters, his songs regularly appear in hit movie and TV soundtracks.
Fetish Lane is folk with a big fat kick! A kick stuffed with a little folk, rock, Americana, and whatever else they decide to sprinkle in. Their lyrics will paint pictures in your head. The three part harmonies will blow you away. The melodies will grab you by the ear and drag you along. Music Outlook Magazine says, “Fetish Lane is feel good music…boasting harmonies reminiscent of CSNY, and feel-good percussion…this band makes me happy!”
Fresh from his debut performance at Carnegie Hall, Jeremy Kittel, an amazing fiddler, will perform his own captivating blend of Celtic, Jazz and Bluegrass. He’ll be joined by a brand-new band, featuring virtuoso guitarist Kyle Sanna, Polish-born percussionist Bodek Janke, and bassist Andrew Kratzat, winner of the International Society of Bassists’ Jazz Competition.
Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello of Red Molly were brought together by a love of traditional American music, old gospel, bluegrass, and the old-time songs of contemporary artists like Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss. Red Molly plays a variety of stringed instruments, and sings in tight three-part harmony, creating their distinctive, and rootsy sound. Their live performances resonate with warmth, fun and infectious energy. They were a big hit at last year’s Colorscape and are making a return appearance.
Pat Wictor stands out in a crowd. With his flowing red hair and zen-like calm, he sings in a pure voice and makes his instrument, the lap-style slide guitar, “sing” back to him. He can bring a crowd to silence, weaving several parts on his guitar and reaching quietly into each listener’s heart. And his songs, drawn from the deep wells of rural blues, gospel and country music linger in the mind long after he’s done. Pat will be joined for this performance by Cheryl Prashker.
Kevin McKrell has been a founding member of some very popular bands. First and foremost, Celtic group Donnybrook Fair, and his namesake band, Celtic Bluegrass band The McKrells . This singer/songerwriter has appeared on the stage of Carnegie Hall to standing ovations, and has performed at some of the top Irish, Bluegrass and Folk Festivals in the country. His musical talents have been showcased all over the U.S. and Ireland. His songs have been recorded and performed by many groups.
Times are approximate and subject to change without notice. NBT Bank, The Follett Foundation, Inc., and The Greater Norwich Foundation, Inc. sponsor the NBT Main Stage, along with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts.
There is also a Children’s Stage sponsored by Target Stores in the East Park that will feature Ellis Paul and SONiA, along with the Nathan Brown World Music Percussion Workshops. Also on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on the NBT Main Stage, a Gospel Show will include collaborative and solo performances by many of the artists featured in the show, along with an occasional cameo performance by local talent.
Located on the greens of East and West Parks in the city of Norwich, Colorscape features over 80 juried artists and crafters selling their wares in an interactive atmosphere that includes artist demonstrations, literary and arts activities for all ages, student art exhibits, a competitive poetry slam and the finest in creative food, all accompanied by the rolling rhythms of professional musicians from across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
For more information: www.colorscape.org.

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