Jamie Stillway is one of the best young female acoustic guitarists currently performing in the U.S.A. Originally from Minnesota, Jamie has recently settled in Portland, Oregon. With a foundation in classical guitar, Jamie soon shifted her focus to the complex ragtime guitar styles of the 1920's, and has had the benefit of studying with many of today's top acoustic players. These influences, along with a newly developed passion for gypsy jazz guitar have contributed to Jamie's distinct sound.

Ben Bonham has over ten years of professional experience as a live performer and recording musician in both the U.K. and the U.S.A. Since 1996, this British expatriate has delighted U.S. audiences with his renderings of old time American music and his mastery of delta blues, vintage Hawaiian lap steel and country blues and ragtime guitar. Ben has several CDs to his credit, which have earned him the admiration of acoustic and steel guitar aficionados, and can often be seen playing his varied collection of vintage musical instruments at major festivals as the ultimate One-Man Band.

$10. per person. Tea and cookies served. Call (541) 387-4011 for more information.

THE RED-HAIRED BOYS

Friday night, June 13th, at 7:30, Hood River

The Red-Haired Boys will bring their own Gorge-style of bluegrass to Paul and Kristen's house at 401 Montello. The first local band to perform in the Mid-Columbia Folklore Society's house concert series, RHB is a coed trio fielding banjo, guitar and fiddle, plus vocals all around. Don't miss this chance to see one of Hood River's favorite acoustic bands in an intimate setting. Tea and cookies will be served, and an $8 donation to MCFS will be accepted.

CLIVE GREGSON

Wednesday, March 26, 7:00 pm Hood River

Clive Gregson, one of Englandıs most admired and acclaimed songwriters, will perform at a house concert at Paul Blackburn and Kristen Dillon's, 401 Montello Street in Hood River, one of Hood River's grand old houses, on March 26th at 7pm. Call 541-387-4011 for more info.

Over the course of a long and varied career, Clive Gregson has excelled in a number of contexts ­ from the success of his first band Any Trouble (named "the most exciting new rockınıroll group since the Pretenders" by Melody Maker) in the early eighties, to his legendary partnership with Christine Collister (described by Rolling Stone as "the state of the art in British folk-rock") and a stint in the Richard Thompson Band. His recent string of albums released by Compass are decisive proof that Gregsonıs gifts continue to flourish.

ATLANTIC CROSSING

Friday, March 28, 7:30 pm, Hood River

Vermont-based Atlantic Crossing is playing a house concert at the home of Paul Blackburn and Kristen Dillon on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Come enjoy this fine string band in a cozy setting. Tea and cookies will be served. 401 Montello, Hood River. 387-4011 for info.

Vermont-based acoustic music ensemble Atlantic Crossing releases their third recording, "Groundswell" this month. For this Champlain Valley band, who were originally drawn together by a love of Celtic music, "Groundswell" represents a homecoming of sorts. Their experience playing Celtic and Quebecois folk music has led them to re-examine the traditional music of New England, and they have developed an affinity for this rich, diverse and largely unperformed cultural resource.

John McCutcheon

Saturday, April 12, 2003, Hood River

n the past twenty years, ask anyone in the music world who is the most influential hammer dulcimer player in America and one name come ups: John McCutcheon. Ask anyone who has written, produced, and released the most folk music albums during that span: same answer. Who has been in the forefront of redefining children's music with five back-to-back Grammy nominations, making it truly "adult-friendly"? Same guy. Who has championed grass-roots community organizing, helped reshape the musician's union, promoted international musicians, written articles for number publication, chaired literacy campaigns, and in his spare time toured the world filling concert halls on four continents? Guess who. The real question about John is not what he does best, but how he does it all so darn well.

The concert is at the Bowe Theatre at HRVHS at 7:30 on Saturday, April 12. $15 at the door, $12 ahead at Waucoma, under 12 half price.

Lui Collins

Tuesday November 19th Parkdale

Lui Collins has proven herself a powerful presence in the folk community; a compelling writer, singer and instrumentalist.

Lui will return again this fall, for a concert at the home of MCFS member Beth Hukari the evening of Wednesday, November 20th. Time 7:00pm at 4878 Van Nuys in Parkdale. Admission is $6 for members and $7 non-members. Kids under 12 are half-price and under 5 are free.

Collins' songs speak gently of hope and love and respect. She makes the political personal, becoming the mentor, quietly sharing her own values. Rather than overtly addressing environmental awareness, for instance, Collins teaches regard for the Earth simply by sharing her own awe of the Earth's beauty and abundance.

Sunday December 8th, Hood River

The Northwest's own Wes Weddell will play at the Hood River home of Kristen Dillon and Paul Blackburn, 401 Montello, on Sunday, December 8th at 3 pm. $7.00 members, $8.00 non-members, $5.00 kids 5 and up, under 5 free.

In the spring of 2001, Seattle singer/songwriter Wes Weddell captivated the region with his ambitions to chronice the lives of contemporary Washington State residents in song. In sixty-five days cavorting around the state, the multi-instrumentalist produce nine regionally-themed songs based upon stories he encountered everywhere from Mossyrock to Toppenish. The academic component of the University of Washington -sponsored "Project" also earned Wes the first-ever Mary Gates Venture Fellowship and a sizable following from media sources across the state - not to mention comprising fifteen credits worth of coursework for the UW history major.

In December, the Pullman, WA native released a CD - his second solo - of these songs. Entitled "My Northwest Home", the disc allows Wes to return the songs to the communities from which they originiated and to share the intertwining melodies and anecdotes inspired by his recent travels.

Wes belongs to a younger generation of folk musicians who work to incorporate elements of many well-established musical traditions into their own personal styling. His particular approach offers a fresh take on the identity of American folk music by drawing form a multitude of musical disciplines, which provide a flexible backdrop for his clever and detailed lyrics. His poised musical delivery and celebrated storytelling ensure an entertaining and memorable experience for any listener.

Wes first appeared on the Seattle scene with an unannounced guest appearance the the 1999 Northwest Folklife Festival, and he has steadliy increased his engagements across the region since p much to the delight of his growing audiences.

Come see this rising star as he passes through Hood River!

Saturday, March 15th, The Dalles

MCFS Board member, Ann Brown, is opening her house in The Dalles for a rousing concert by Blue Pass, a four piece bluegrass/old-time band based outof La Grande OR. The party will be at 14th and Trevitt, 7:30 PM on Saturday, March 15th. For reservations and/or directions, call Ann at 541-298-5875.

Admission is by donation.

Jesse Jones plays mandolin, guitar, bass, and does lead vocals. He is originally from New Mexico and is now living in Union OR, with his wife and two little girls. Luke McKern, originally of Hood River, plays guitar and bass. He now lives in La Grande and is our excellent lead guitar player.

Isaac Callender plays fiddle, guitar, and bass. He is originally of Great Falls, MT, and is well-known for his fiddle playing throughout the northwest. Emily Callender, his wife, plays fiddle, guitar, and sings lead vocals. She is originally from Pendleton OR.

"All four of us study music at Eastern Oregon University, where Jesse majors in composition, Luke in guitar or music ed, Isaac in violin performance, and Emily in vocal performance. We have been playing together since October, though Jesse and Isaac played together last year and recorded their CD, Here Comes the Rain, which will be available at the concert."