FEBRUARY FOLK MUSIC CONCERT
Alex Caton - Sizzling Old Time Fiddling and Song

On Saturday, February 20, 2010 the Richmond Folk Music Society presents Alex Caton in “Sizzling Old Time Fiddling and Song”. Doors open at 7:15 and the concert will begin at 8:00.
Alex Caton has become one of the most sought after fiddlers in central Virginia (she lives in the Charlottesville area) and is quickly making an international name for herself. She brings a fresh approach to Old Time music while still remaining firmly rooted in the tradition. Alex grew up moving between England, Scotland and the United States, and has a special attachment to music of wanderers. She does not limit herself to Old Time, but also enjoys trying out varied approaches to Irish and gypsy music. Alex has performed up and down the eas t coast and on various street corners, pubs, and concert halls, well as in Europe, the United Kingdom and West Africa. In addition to fiddle, she also plays guitar and clawhammer banjo, and has been called “the siren of the strings”.

“Old-time music’s been on a fresh roll for a while now, rejuvenated by younger performers in much the same way as Britfolk has been. And like it is here, you can divide artists and bands into those who stick by the old rule book (regardless of the amount of enthusiasm they throw into it) and those who bring an original angle. Alex is definitely one of the latter, but in a sweet and unassuming way which has genuine charm. In other hands, bringing songs like The Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry or The Stones’ Factory Girl into the genre would be trumpeted as the stuff of rebellion, but Alex gently drops them into the mix with the same casual and homely approach that she applies to oldtime mainstream classics like Bonaparte’s Retreat, Bob Tailed Mule or Uncle Dave Macon’s Skillet Good & Greasy, or her own could-be-traditional songs like Hitch To The Altar.
Her fiddling’s got an understated, natural swing and her vocals are nicely laid back with none of those hard nasal edges which often render oldtime and bluegrass a difficult listening chore in very little time... I’m struck that this is music which would work just as well in my back garden as full tilt on a club or festival stage. And that’s a real skill!” (Ian Anderson, FRoots Magazine)

You can learn more about Alex and listen to her music on her Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/alexcatonmusic.

For more information about Richmond Folk Music, and to purchase $12 advance tickets, email richmondfolkmusic@yahoo.com, or call 804-647-7856. Tickets at the door are $15.

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2010 Concert Schedule

February 20, 2010: Alex Caton - Sizzling Old Time Fiddle and Song

March 27, 2010: Jeni and Billy - Songs of Coal, Hard Living, and Salvation

April 24, 2010: Brian Peters - Exploring the Ballad Tradition of the British Isles

May 22, 2010: O’Flaherty, Dailey and Costa - Ireland Meets Appalachia

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Volunteers are needed to sell baked goods at the Richmond Folk Music concerts

Over the last three months, parents from 13 families have volunteered to bake or buy goods for the Richmond Folk Music Society concerts. They have also worked several hours during each of the last three concerts to set up for the show and clean up afterwards.
This effort is raising funds for the Religious School Scholarship Fund. We are currently recruiting parents (and grandparents) to donate baked goods for the December 26 concert and also to work during the concert. If you are available to help in December, please conthat Beth Jones at 303-5293 or beth.jones@dss.virginia.gov, or Lori Levy at 233-2737.
Our goal is to have every family participate in this effort at least once during the school year. We are we are well on our way to meeting our goal. Participation helps ensure that all Or Ami children, regardless of ability to pay, can have a Jewish education.