Holly Near with John Bucchino in Rehoboth, Del. during an LGBT benefit, produced by CAMP. Photo: Carolyn Watson Photography
Two of the Lansing area's most venerable music institutions, East Lansing's Ten Pound Fiddle and Old Town's Goldenrod Music, are joining forces to bring Holly Near and emma's revolution for a night of folk music and politics on Oct. 23 at LCC's Dart Auditorium.
After three years of touring together and repeated audience requests for "the CD with all of you singing," Holly Near and emma's revolution hit the studio in June 2009 and the result is "We Came to Sing!" The show promises a whirlwind of passionate harmonies when Holly Near and emma's revolution take the stage together. Near and emma's revolution will each perform songs from their own repertoire, plus music from the new LP.
On it, tender and daring a cappella vocal arrangements of some of Near's most requested songs are paired with some of emma's revolution's most popular tracks and some new ones that perfectly fit the three women's voices. Musical styles range from a meditation on "Study War No More" to a light-hearted jazzy version of "Swimming to the Other Side."
Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher and activist. An immense vocal talent, Near's career as a singer has been profoundly defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery and theatricality.
emma's revolution writes songs that have become traditions. Their hauntingly beautiful harmonies and acoustic instrumentals deliver the energy and strength of their convictions. A motivating force from intimate concerts to mass demonstrations, they bring their uprising of truth, hope and a dash of healthy irreverence to concerts and peace and justice events around the world.
Tickets are $25 ($20 for Fiddle members) and may be purchased at Elderly Instruments and Goldenrod Music in Lansing, Archives Book Shop and East Lansing Food Co-op in East Lansing, or online at goldenrod.com or tenpoundfiddle.org. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the concert.
