Thursday, March 8, 2012

An Evening of Traditional Song

Please join Castle in the Air in welcoming master folksinger Norman Kennedy on Saturday, March 17, as he shares an evening of Scottish ballads and folk songs. Norman has also promised us an ancient Irish song or two, in honor of Saint Patrick's Day.

The terms "national treasure" and "living legend" get bandied about perhaps more frequently than they should, but in Norman Kennedy we truly have both. He is a Scottish-born folksinger and hand-weaver who learned both trades from "the old folk" in Aberdeen and the Outer Hebrides during his youth in the 1950s and '60s. Early on in his career he was recognized for his talent, and was chosen to represent Scotland at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

Kennedy went on to build a career and, more importantly, a life defined by performing, weaving, and teaching since then, mainly in his adopted home of rural Vermont. Thanks to his efforts to preserve these traditions, in 2003 Norman was named an NEA National Heritage Fellow, the first Scotsman to be awarded this unparalleled distinction.

I've had the honor of knowing Norman Kennedy as a family friend for years, and have seen him perform at venues as varied as a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall to impromptu concerts in friends' living rooms. To say he has magic in his voice is no understatement -- he sang a charm over my cup of tea while I was going through my difficult pregnancy with my first child, and she's now well on her way to becoming an accomplished Scottish folk musician in her own right.

Seating is very limited for this special event. Please call Castle in the Air at (510)204-9801 to make your reservation for one or more seats.

Norman Kennedy: An Evening of Traditional Song
Saturday, March 17, 7:30PM
Castle in the Air
1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley
$20 to $10 sliding scale at the door
Reservations required: (510)204-9801

No comments: