Head-lining the upcoming fifth Sedona Bluegrass Festival is one of Bluegrass’s most respected artists as a singer, songwriter, band leader and instrumentalist. Claire Lynch brings a style and presence that has captured fans and critics alive.
The fifth Sedona Bluegrass Festival May 4-8 will feature the Claire Lynch Band in residence along with Festival icons Crystal Ridge and the Burnett Family Bluegrass Bands This year’s Festival is complemented by the Jack Webb New Orleans Jazz Band and Pastor Mustard’s New National Swing Band. “Bluegrass with a twist,” said Bert Harclerode, Chamber Music Sedona executive Director.
“I’ve been a fan of Claire’s for decades. Her personal style, angelic voice and personality,” said Harclerode. “Her performance at Pickin in the Pines several years ago brought that home and we are delighted to offer Claire’s artistry to youth at four Sedona schools, an evening program at the library, BBQ Benefit and Sunday’s Festival concert.”
Wednesday, May 4 from 7-8pm the Claire Lynch Band (CLB) will give an informal performance as the final Evening Chamber Music at the Library. Admission is $5 and two cans of food to benefit the Sedona Food Bank. The Sedona Public Library is located at 3250 White Bear Road. Seating capacity is limited to 85 and doors open at 6:45pm
Thursday, May 5 the CLB will perform for the Bluegrass BBQ Concert at the Segner Ranch in Mund’s Canyon. Chef Barron Unger will prepare a festive array of foods with complementary side dishes and beverages. Admission is $65 and reservations are required. Twenty seats remain.
Friday, May 6 the Burnett Family Bluegrass Band will perform as part of the 1st Friday Gallery Walks. The first performance takes place at Hillside Sedona 671 SR 179 from 5-6:45pm, and the second performance takes place at Goldenstein Gallery 390 N SR 89A.
Saturday, May 7 Chamber Music Sedona in cooperation with the Red Rock State Park Benefactors will present an afternoon concert to benefit the Park featuring the Burnett Family and Crystal Ridge Bluegrass Bands.
Sunday, May 8 the fifth Sedona Bluegrass Festival takes place Creekside at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa from 11am to 6pm. The Flagstaff-based Jazz Webb New Orleans Jazz Band performs from 11-11:45am. The Tucson-based Crystal Ridge Band, 3rd place Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest winners perform from noon to 1:15pm. The Burnett Family, 1st place winners at the 2004 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest, performs from 1:30-2:45pm. Dan Sadowsky, one of bluegrass’s most colorful personalities, and Telluride Bluegrass Festival Emcee from 1988 to 2006 brings his band from Aspen Colorado, Pastor Mustard’s New National Swing Band performing from 3-4:15pm.
The CLB closes out the 2011 Festival. Claire Lynch together with band mates bassist Mark Schatz; mandolinist, fiddler and vocalist Jason Thomas and newest member Matthew Wingate on guitar, mandolin & vocals performs from 4:30-6pm. “At heart, Claire weaves wonderful stories through her song writing and uses her sweet soprano to breath life and spirit to the telling. She is a confident performer who understands the audience experience in a live performance filled with much stimulus beyond the lyrics and the music. She takes stage with that objective in mind to give the listener a fuller experience,” said Chris Curtis of BellaOnLine.
Tickets to all events are available on line www.chambermusicsedona.org or by phone. Sunday Festival tickets are $40 for adults, and $20 for youth ages 13-21 with full time student ID. Advance meal packages are available for $12 on line also. Festival guidelines include no outside food or beverages, no smoking, no pets, no large bags or chests, and low-back chairs no higher than a softball base.
The Sedona Bluegrass Festival 2011 is made possible with support from the City of Sedona Arts & Culture Commission, Los Abrigados Resort and Spa, and WESTAF. Chamber Music Sedona is supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, The City of Sedona Arts and Culture Commission, The Sedona Community Foundation, the Margaret T. Morris Foundation and the J.W. Kieckhefer Foundation.
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