May 17th, 2014The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters consist of Andy Falco (guitar), Travis Book (bass), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), Andy Hall (dobro), and Chris Pandolfi (banjo). They sound like no one else, combining virtuosic chops on five traditional bluegrass instruments, with an ethos of pushing the genre forward. The Stringdusters' live shows take improvised string band music to new places, combining musicianship and songwriting with experimental performance and a contagious energy flowing between the band and crowd. Their groundbreaking musical proficiency is earning them critical acclaim, awards, and nominations aplenty; and has even attracted the attention of musical legends Phil Lesh and John Scofield, who have joined The ‘Dusters on stage to offer up unforgettable, raucously crowd-pleasing sit-ins. Tell me more
The Infamous Stringdusters don’t leave bluegrass behind; they’re stretching it from within. |
|
June 7th, 2014Seldom Scene
What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For the Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun. On April 22, the longtime pillars of the bluegrass world will return with the aptly titled LONG TIME.....SELDOM SCENE. The newly recorded collection features fresh interpretations of the 16 oft-requested tunes and is the band's first studio album since the GRAMMY nominated album Scenechronized in 2007. It's a family reunion in all the best ways, featuring the current-and longest running- lineup, joined by founding members Tom Gray and John Starling and guests Chris Eldridge, Emmylou Harris, and Rickie Simpkins.
This is The Seldom Scene's first ever release with Smithsonian Folkways, and captures the identity and playfulness that have endeared the group to audiences around the world for so long. "Hickory Wind" is a homesick ballad that features the vocals of longtime friend of the Scene, Emmylou Harris, who originally recorded the song on her Blue Kentucky Girl album in 1980. Fan favorite "Wait a Minute" is a fresh take of a song originally recorded for 1974's Old Train album and includes founding member John Starling (vocals) and guests Rickie Simpkins (fiddle) and Chris Eldridge (guitar), son of founding member Ben Eldridge (banjo). Tell me more |
|
June 28th, 2014Love Canon with The Boston Boys
Love Canon doesn't cover the music of the '80s as much as kidnap it and take it on a bluegrass-tinged joyride. It's a general rule of American culture that it takes 20-40 years for a decade to shed its stale stench and get its groove back. There's no shortage of clever musical re-enactors giving the first generation of MTV an ironic makeover: a fool's errand, given that the music already was soaked in postmodern irony. By contrast, Love Canon refreshes and extends the originals with affectionate humor and effortless virtuosity. The players — including Old School Freight Train's Jesse Harper, Nate Leath, Darrell Muller, Virginia Commonwealth University guitar and banjo master Adam Larrabee, and Mandolin Virtuoso Andy Thacker — add layers of depth to the still-appealing pop hooks. They romp on throwaway classics such as ZZ Top's "Legs" and "She Blinded Me With Science." On their excellent version of "The Boys of Summer," the folk instrumentation adds a traditional context to the time-capsule lyrics. After blazing through other up-tempo material, they shift to a slow burn on the closing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." It's an unlikely choice for an all-male band, but they strip the song down to its bittersweet, feminist heart. Love Canon is Jesse Harper (of acoustic supergroup Old School Freight Train), Darrell Muller (also of OSFT), Adam Larrabee (jazz guitar/banjo virtuoso), Andy Thacker (bluegrass mandolin phenom) Nate Leath (also of OSFT) Love Canon is periodically joined by other geniuses/collaborators/acrobats. Tell me more
|
|
|
The Boston Boys
Future Roots band, The Boston Boys, formed in Boston in 2012, live in Brooklyn, and play around the world. In only two years, they’ve performed in over a dozen countries throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Their unique instrumentation, musicality, and fearless live performance is quickly earning them a loyal fan base. Not so secret spies or just an electrified band of gypsies on a mission? Either way, you’ll hear them coming.Mandolinist, guitarist, and lead singer, Eric Robertson, initiated the project as a student at Berklee College of Music. He, along with multi-instrumentalist Duncan Wickel, bassist Josh Hari, and drummer Nicholas Falk deliver a new fusion of American roots music inspired by bedrock artists like Paul Simon, Ray Charles and The Band. They recorded their upcoming EP, studied entrepreneurship with California College of the Arts Design MBA faculty, and cut a deal with Musikara, an innovative platform for collaborating, sharing, and rearranging music while they were residents at Zoo Labs in Oakland, CA in October 2013. The Boston Boys harness American grooves and redesign them for a radical future of global collaboration. Future Roots music combines your first love with what you think you know about the world. It’s big out there and always evolving. What’s the soundtrack? There are two EPs out ("What You Say?!? and "Keep You Satisfied") and a third going public in May 2014. Tell me more |
|
July 5th, 2014The Danny Knicely Band with Gary Ruley
Danny Knicely has put together an amazing group of musicians for this special Lime Kiln event. His band will consist of Aimee Curl (upright bass), Bert Carlson (guitar), and Rex McGee (banjo/fiddle). The group will be performing tracks off the record The Melody Lingers On; a collaboration of four versatile musicians--Danny, Aimee Curl, Nate Leath and Bert Carlson. Their musical talents and tastes effortlessly blend the styles of bluegrass, jazz, old-time, swing, and Latin music. During the second set, Danny's band will be joined by local bluegrass legend, Gary Ruley, and a few members of his Muletrain. Tell me more |
|
|
Gary Ruley
Gary Ruley was born into a musical family in Lexington, Virginia. He gave his first public performance at the age of 10. Over the years, he has honed his skills while performing with various masters of bluegrass such as Larry Keel, who has brought forth astounding and powerful new acoustic music. Gary has also performed on stage with the late great Vassar Clements, the late Bobby Lester (Bill Monroe’s fiddler), Darol Anger, Two-time Grammy Winner Curtis Burch (New Grass Revival), Larry and Jenny Keel, Wyatt Rice, Ann Marie Simpson-Calhoun, Ricky Lee (Ralph Stanley), Will Lee, Danny Knicely, Mike Seeger, Tony Rice, Jack Lawrence (Doc Watson’s partner), Mac Wiseman (Bill Monroe & Flatts & Scruggs), Buddy Pendleton (Bill Monroe) and John Starling (Seldom Scene). Tell me more |
|
July 26th, 2014Robin and Linda Williams
As live performers they are second to none. Their stirring concerts have earned them a huge body of fans over the years. But as gifted songwriters Robin and Linda have earned an even rarer honor, the devotion and deep respect of their musical peers. As The Washington Post put it, "The Williamses are able to sum up a life in a few details with moving completeness." The list of artists who have covered their original songs include some of the greats of country music, names like Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, George Hamilton IV, Tim & Mollie O'Brien, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea and The Seldom Scene.
Linda is a native of Anniston, Alabama and Robin (the son of a Presbyterian minister) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. They met and fell for each other in 1971 on a visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina while Linda was teaching school and Robin was a full-time musician on a national coffeehouse circuit. It wasn't long before they discovered additional magic when they combined their voices in harmony. Tell me more Among contemporary country performers, Robin and Linda Williams shine like a diamond amid rhinestones ... |
|
|
July 29th, 2014
Traveling Players Ensemble
Performing Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Traveling Players Ensemble brings one of William Shakespeare's most charming comedies to life in Twelfth Night. Shipwrecked on the mythical land of Illyria, and separated from her twin brother, Viola dresses like a man to protect herself. While serving the love-sick Duke Orsino, Viola must navigate a tangled land of mistaken identities, mismatched loves, and mischief of the highest degree. A play of absolute "midsummer madness!" Founded in 2003, Traveling Players Ensemble's mission is to bring great theatre into the great outdoors. Focusing on the classical works of Moliere, Shakespeare and Commedia dell'Arte, TPE provides intensive theatre and backpacking training to small troupes of teenagers. Our program reflects the origins of theatre, when troupes of actors roamed the ancient and medieval countryside, relying on the barest props and boldest imagination to convey their art. By camping, rehearsing and performing in beautiful and historic places, like the Shenandoah National Park and Colonial Williamsburg, TPE cultivates stronger, more adaptable and more capable artists and individuals. This is the fourth year Traveling Players Ensemble has performed at the Lime Kiln Theater, previously Macbeth (2009), Love's Labour's Lost (2010) and Romeo and Juliet (2011). Tell me more |
|
August 16th, 2014Walker's Run
In 1997 Brennan Gilmore of Lexington, Virginia gathered together musicians from his hometown and from the University of Virginia, where he was studying international relations, to create the band Walker's Run. The group combined Rockbridge County mountain-music, Blue Ridge bluegrass and the Indie Rock experience of Gilmore's high school band, Concordia Discors. They packed major Charlottesville venues such as The Starr Hill Music Hall while becoming regulars at smaller venues like Millers and Michael's Bistro. Their repertoire included new takes on the "old time" canon, an eclectic group of covers and crowd favorites along with original songs. The Walker's Run sound is best define by compositions like "Torrent" by songwriter, Gilmore.
The band sold thousands of copies of their eponymous debut CD Walker's Run before taking a long-term hiatus in 2002 when their founder began his professional career as a United States Foreign Service Officer which takes him to long-term posts abroad. During Gilmore's stateside posts, the band reunites and invites new fans to local shows. In the interim band members have continued separate musical careers, including collaborations with Sub-Saharan and North African musicians and reggae fusion to producing bluegrass records. |
|
September 5th, 2014Summer Celebration
We are pleased to announce that Danny Knicely (of Danny Knicely Band), Wyatt Rice (of The Tony Rice Unit), and Mark Schatz (of Nickel Creek) will be performing at our party. Admission is FREE, which is our way of saying THANK YOU to all that supported us this year. We are thrilled by the huge success of our season, and without your support and attendance, none of it could have happened. The Southern Inn will be providing a dinner, served from 6:30-8:00, for $10 a plate. We will also be serving Devil's Backbone beer and Rockbridge Vineyard's wine at a cash bar. Light concessions will be served during the show. Donations to Lime Kiln Arts will be graciously accepted both online and at the event. Danny will be releasing his new album at our event. Danny Knicely’s new release focuses on the true and natural tone of exquisitely fine acoustic instruments in the hands of master musicians. Danny plays a vintage D-18 Martin guitar and is accompanied by Wyatt Rice, rhythm/lead guitarist for the Tony Rice Unit, and twice named International Bluegrass Music Association’s bassist of the year, Mark Schatz, from Nickel Creek and the Claire Lynch Band. The album features old-time flat-picking, open string swing, dreadnaught jazz, and includes cameo performances by Danny on mandolin and vocals. Recorded by Les Thompson, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the sound reproduction is accurate and captures the energy and groove of the trio. The album will be released on compact disc and for digital downloads on September 1, 2014 and will be available at www.dannykicely.com. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see these exceptional musicians perform live at Lime Kiln Theater! |
|
September 10th-20th, 2014Spring Awakening
Presented by (540) Productions (540) Productions is proud to present the Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and New York Drama Critics' Circle award-winning musical Spring Awakening. Based on a controversial and banned 19th Century play, this mega-popular rock musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater deals with the failures of communication between parents and children, the harsh repression of failed education, the tragic repercussions of lust and sexual repression, and the growth from teenage selfishness towards community. This work is one of the most widely performed musicals in the world and has already been presented by regional universities like JMU, UVA, and Virginia Tech, as well the Virginia Repertory Company. Tell me more Our outdoor production is a poetic way to close both our and Lime Kiln's new 'awakening.' |
|
