A Folk Alliance Member Organization

Schedule - 2011/2012 Season

Roy Zimmerman

Tickets: $16/Adults, $14/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

Roy Zimmerman is a master political parodist who sings smart songs that bring audiences to their knees with laughter. He is a one-man Capitol Steps with a gift for juggling words. Don’t miss the anger-laced wit of “California Couldn't Pay Our Education,” describing the fate of impoverished, illiterate Cali students: “Now we've got great jobs / I stock the salad bar at Bob's / And I polish knobs at Union Station / And I practice law... la la la la la la la / California couldn't pay our education." Roy has been called “the 21st century’s answer to Tom Lehrer,” who himself says, “I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducing literacy to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don't just ‘rhyne’.” Roy also receives high praise from Joni Mitchell who says, "Roy's lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection." Roy Zimmerman is the perfect kickoff for ARC’s 17th season!

Claudia Nygaard and David Massengill

Tickets: $16/Adults, $14/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

As a performer, Claudia Nygaard was once described as "a female Will Rogers without the rope.” From her earliest gigs playing bars and restaurants, she learned that she could slip one of her own songs into the set if she could come up with an introduction interesting enough to capture the audience's attention. By the time she started playing fairs, her repertoire was half original songs and she had refined her stage patter to an art. Her quick wit and relaxed stage presence is as much a part of her shows as the songs themselves. A winner of numerous songwriting awards including the Kerrville Folk Festival “New Folk” Songwriting Competition, Claudia crafts songs with vivid imagery, and an authentic point of view.

David Massengill says, "Basically, I tell true stories about friends and family. Basically true .... or stories I made up about friends and family." His songs are rich with insight and poetic imagery, they are upbeat and engaging, but full of subtle complexities. David accompanies himself mainly on the Appalachian dulcimer, and has achieved a fluidity on the traditional instrument that enables him to wring from its few strings music of a richness far beyond anything it was ever meant to produce. He draws the listener into his lyrical imagery and the close-up focus on human foibles and experience that is the substance of his best songs. This promises to be an evening of gracious and quality music, as well a many entertaining stories — an evening with a southern sensibility.

Venitia Sekema and Dennis Warner

Tickets: $16/Adults, $14/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

Venitia Sekema’s music may not be what you'd expect from a performing songwriter, but she is used to being the exception to the rule. The title track to her second full-length CD, Hell on High Heels, has been called “the most frightening foot apparel tune since Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” She has steadily won over audiences around the Midwest with her straightforward, sometimes funny, always emotionally moving lyrics. A typical performance includes songs that range from blues to jazz, country to the most modern folk. Even with so much variety, the audience connects with what she has to say, since deep down she has the heart of a storyteller.

Dennis Warner is one of the most personable performers you will ever see. His smooth vocals and skillful musicianship on the six and twelve string guitar have the special ability to captivate an audience. His unique blend of music and humor continually bring him to well over 100 cities each year. After eight albums, Dennis is well regarded for his moving interpretations of songs written by others, but he is also a highly respected songwriter. Dennis says his biggest honor was being invited to give a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for a concert series spotlighting the “best” of the “unknown” songwriters. Venitia and Dennis are sure to present an evening of memorable music!

Brother Sun

Tickets: $17/Adults, $15/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

Brother Sun is a dynamic new male trio made up of folk luminaries Greg Greenway, Joe Jencks and Pat Wictor. (Joe and Greg have appeared to critical acclaim as solo artists at ARC in previous seasons.) Their harmonies, as much as their lyrics, tell what they are about: warm as a campfire, stirring as a gospel church, rousing as a call to arms. Calling upon contemporary songwriting, and informed by the deep roots of gospel, blues, and folk, the trio weaves a tapestry of harmony that is brilliantly fresh and yet familiar. Nationally touring folk artists from three major points on the map — Boston, New York, and Chicago — Greg, Pat and Joe celebrate the amazing power of singing together. Their combined musical skills should make for an unforgettable evening — three rich voices blending on a wellcrafted foundation of guitar, slide guitar, and keyboard.

Muriel Anderson

Tickets: $20/Adults, $18/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

Muriel Anderson is hailed as one of the world’s best string/harp guitarists — a true virtuoso. She is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. Her musical creations and creative fingerings continually move and amaze. The Downers Grove native now finds herself touring the USA and internationally year round. Muriel’s obvious joy of music and facility across musical genres is revered by guitarists and audiences worldwide. The renowned Les Paul called Muriel “one hell of a great player…she plays like we all wish to play.” At this concert she will debut some new tunes for guitar and harp guitar and play some of her most requested pieces (like the one in which her guitar imitates an entire bluegrass band). Who knows, she may bring up a surprise guest as well. Those who have enjoyed Muriel’s annual Saturday-After-Thanksgiving concerts know that you never know what to expect from her. If you’ve never heard a harp guitar, this is your opportunity to experience a true master. Come hear the magic!

Megon McDonough

Tickets: $16/Adults, $14/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

Megon McDonough is probably best known for her work as an inaugural member of The Four Bitchin Babes along with Christine Lavin, which allowed Megon’s wit and folk sensibilities to comment on the ups and downs of everyday life. Perhaps not surprisingly, she is also an accomplished comedic actress having appeared in numerous theater productions including, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Beehive and a box office record-breaking starring role in Always Patsy Cline. She, in fact, classifies her music as folk/cabaret, citing her love of theatre and jazz as the reason for the unusual mix. She was inspired to play the guitar and sing after watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and wrote her first song at age eleven. (Folk lovers may remember a 17-year-old Megon opening for such acts as John Denver, Steve Martin and Harry Chapin in the 70’s.). Ever since, her mantra, “Live to Sing and Love to Sing” has guided her artistic evolution. This Renaissance Woman is also an accomplished motivational speaker in her spare time.

James Keelaghan

Tickets: $18/Adults, $16/ Students and Seniors
The Show Begins at 8:00 PM

Doors open 45 minutes before scheduled performance time

James Keelaghan is a Canadian treasure whose riches are shared with the world. He has gone about his work as a singer-songwriter with a combination of passion, curiosity, intent and intensity. His masterful storytelling has, over the course of James’ many recordings, been the bedrock of his su ccess, earning him nominations and awards — including a Juno (Canada's Grammy) — and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia. Possessed of an insatiable appetite for finding the next unique story line, he forges his pieces with brilliant craftsmanship and monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices on the international folk scene.  Sing Out magazine said, “Arguably, Keelaghan sings with one of the most glorious male voices in the folk community. It is not only a treat to the ear, but it's a voice that fully illuminates the songs it transmits.” James Keelaghan, always an ARC audience favorite, will be a great wrap-up to ARC's great 17th season!