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Saturday January 21st, Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Créole

After returning to Illinois from Louisiana, Dennis began a long odyssey that eventually culminated in the forming of Creole Stomp in 2002. And since that time he and his band have carried the torch of French Creole music and culture across North America performing a blend of music from the state of Louisiana and old upper Louisiana. Their unique sound and mix of ancient and modern Mississippi River valley musical tradition positions them as the only band to encompass French Creole and Folk Music from the entirety of the old Louisiana Territory. And although Dennis continues to play with many of his Louisiana based friends on occasion, you can always find him at the helm of Creole Stomp playing somewhere from San Diego to Boston.

Saturday, November 19th, Bernice Lewis

With three decades of performing festivals, concert halls, coffeehouses, colleges, and house concerts, along with a half dozen acclaimed CDs, Bernice Lewis has built a solid national fan base. She is also a published poet, a producer, and an educator extraordinaire. Bernice studied vocal improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, guitar technique with Alex DeGrassi and Guy van Duser, and songwriting with Rosanne Cash and Cris Williamson — has been a featured performer on NPR’sMountain Stage program, as well as at the Kennedy Center.

In 1987, she was a finalist in the prestigious New Folk Songwriting Contest at the Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival, where she continues to be a main stage favorite. Her ballad, “Bridges That Hold,” was included in Peter, Paul and Mary’s Lifelines video (PBS). She was featured in Yoga Journal for her work with sound and yoga, and has shared the stage with many renowned artists, including Dar Williams, Dixie Chicks, Patty Griffin, Pete Seegar, Ellis Paul, Rory Block, Livingston Taylor, Odetta, Christine Lavin, Marty Sexton, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis… it’s a long list.

Seats are $12, and you can reserve your seat online by hitting the Reserve Seats tab.

This is a Saturday show, starting at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM for social mixing and grabbing your favorite spot.

You can pay online via PayPal or just bring cash or a check. All funds go directly to the artist, and this is how they make their living. We’ll put out snacks and beverages, and you’re welcome to bring something to share, which makes it all the more fun!

Remember, seating is limited to 25 spots, so it’s best to reserve early by hitting the Reserve Seats tab!

 

Saturday, October 22nd, John Flynn

We are truly pleased to announce the return of the amazing John Flynn to our concert series. John was originally brought to my attention by Vern Crawford, who for years ran a venue in Carbondale, Illinois called Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse. John is a talented songwriter and singer, a remarkable and inspiring individual, and someone I always look forward to seeing when he comes our way. This is John’s fourth return to the cabin and we’re sure seats will fill fast.

Singer-songwriter John Flynn draws from a significant body of work, ranging from his early country offerings to story songs, love songs, songs for kids, funny songs, songs of social justice and meditations on loss, tolerance, faith and hope. The 54 year-old former Nashville staff songwriter and father of four spurned touring when his children were young, but as the kids grew older superlatives began to welcome their dad’s arrival to the national folk stage. In 2005, Arlo Guthrie invited John to join musical legends like Willie Nelson and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on the historic City of New Orleans Train Tour following Hurricane Katrina. And Kris Kristofferson recited the lyrics to John’s song “Without You with Me” at Stephen Bruton’s funeral. Ramblin’ Jack Elliott himself has called Flynn the undiscovered “John Lennon of the plasma generation”!

Seats are $12, and you can reserve your seat online by hitting the Reserve Seats tab.

As usual, the show starts at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM for social mixing and grabbing your favorite spot. You can pay online via PayPal or just bring cash or a check. All funds go directly to the artist, and this is how they make their living. We’ll put out snacks and beverages, and you’re welcome to bring something to share.

Remember, seating is limited to 25 spots, so it’s best to reserve early by hitting the Reserve Seats tab!

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Friday, September 16th, 2011: Andrew McKnight

Andrew McKnight plays a Concert at the Cabin in Evansville, Indiana

We are truly thrilled to bring back our friend, Andrew McKnight. He has played in Evansville a few times, but not since 2004. This is a rare Friday night show, which we did so that we wouldn’t compete with the Ferdinand Folk Festival.

Andrew is a great guy. As a former environmental engineer, he can’t help but be involved in some of the environmental issues that plague the eastern mountains and he has an encyclopedic depth of interest in the history of the Civil War. He’s a keen observer and that is reflected in the stories woven into his songs.

When Andrew was last here, he took a day-long drive through southern Illinois and when he returned, he had penned a song called “Hard Times in the Heartland”. The first performance of this song was at our kitchen table in the spot where I’m sitting right now. This made the cut on his 2005 CD titled “Beyond Borders”.

Andrew has recorded several CDs published through a record label that he launched, expertly plays a Martin guitar, and well, he just sets the bar really high. Every Andrew does, he does to a high level of polish. I know you’ll enjoy his solo performance.

Of course, you can learn a lot from Andrew’s website, but here’s a quick quote: “Since permanently leaving his corporate environmental engineering career in 1996, award-winning folk and Americana artist Andrew McKnight’s musical journey has traced half a million miles of blue highways, and earned him a wealth of critical acclaim and enthusiastic fans for his captivating performances and five CDs.”

Seats are $12, and you can reserve your seat online by hitting the Reserve Seats tab.

As usual, the show starts at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM for social mixing and grabbing your favorite spot. You can pay online via PayPal or just bring cash or a check. All funds go directly to the artist, and this is how they make their living. We’ll put out snacks and beverages, and you’re welcome to bring something to share.

Remember, seating is limited to 25 spots, so it’s best to reserve early by hitting the Reserve Seats tab!

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Saturday, August 27, 2011: Jubal's Kin

It’s a real joy for us is when the stars align–the gap in our schedule meshes perfectly with the touring schedule of an act that we fall in love with on first listen. This is one of those times! If you like Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sarah Jarosz, or Gillian Welch, you’ll be right at home with Jubal’s Kin. This trio of siblings take Old Time traditional music and infuse it with a new pulse, a heartbeat for modern times. Jubal’s Kin is definitely something a little bit different from what we usually bring to the cabin. They are a young trio at the beginning of their music career, and we are very fortunate to have them join us.

Roger Amundsen, the senior sibling, is a three-time Florida Old Time Music Champion.  Gailanne Amundsen, while still in her mid-teens, has already been honored with the title of Grand Champion Old Time Music Fiddler for Tennessee and Rustic Fiddle Champion for Florida. With younger brother Jeffery, they create a sound that is flawless and fresh, honest and time-honored, tastefully seasoned with the textures of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo.

This is going to be a great show! This is a rare opportunity to hear a group that is already taking off on the festival circuit, but is still relatively unknown on the airwaves. You really won’t want to miss this one! I have to agree with what No Depression magazine had to say: “This is a band to watch closely, as their refreshingly honest and innovative recuts of classic old-time/urban folk songs and excellent musical talents will take them far. Now you can say you knew them when…

Please make your reservations on our website at http://indianafolk.com/seats/

As usual, we’ll put out some snacks and a little wine and lemonade, and you’re welcome to bring something to share or just for yourself. The show starts at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM. This will be a very unique show, so please come out and join us!
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