A Folk Alliance Member Organization

Saturday Evening, May 9, 2009

John Gorka stormed onto the national folk scene in the 1980s and has not looked back. Armed with a soulfully rich baritone voice, he is honored to be a part of the folk tradition — energetic acoustic music that is not a trend, not a fad, but an expression of everyday life. John is known for applying his vocals to a wide range of song forms--intimate confessional songs about love and loss, humorous observations about daily life in his neighborhood, poignant commentary on political moods, and exuberant explosions of unmitigated joy. To date more than a score of artists have recorded and/or performed John’s songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. He also started sharing tours with many notable friends — Nanci Griffith and Mary Chapin Carpenter among them. All this has brought his music to an ever-widening audience. He continues tilling new musical ground with each new release. His CDs are the embodiment of his musicality — classic examples of where his wonderful voice and unique songcraft weave together in a way that can only be described as “Gorka.” Help ARC close its 14th season at this amazing concert!  

Justin Roth stood out from an early age stood out as a musician.  A very determined and independent child, in the 3rd grade the future singer/songwriter declined an invitation to sing with the St. Croix Valley Boys Choir because he did not want to miss Saturday morning cartoons.  Since then, he has put that dedication to cartoons behind him and applied it to music. We can all be glad for that. Blending intricate guitar work, smooth vocal melodies and a groove, Justin offers up a rousing potpourri of new acoustic folk. As a self-taught fingerstyle guitarist, Justin’s inventive technique leaves people asking themselves ‘how’d he do that?’ as he expresses a new voice of the guitar.

Join us for an evening of great music!

Information on the rest of the concerts for 2009 will be posted soon.

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