Butler to Barrow
Ken Waldman, Alaska’s fiddling poet, will make his first Butler County appearance at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 as part of the Performing Arts Series at Butler County Community College in the Succop Theater.
His show, called “From Butler to Barrow,” will feature an evening of variety that connects southwestern Pennsylvania to Alaska.
He’ll be joined by Pittsburgh old-time music duo Mark Tamsula and Richard Withers, as well as by Pittsburgh bluesman Ernie Hawkins and the southwestern Pennsylvania string-band trio of Emily Pinkerton, Don Shean and Daniel Marcus.
Waldman, who was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania, combines old-time Appalachian-style fiddling, original poetry, and mostly Alaska-set storytelling.
Tamsula is a fiddler, banjo player, guitarist and mandolin player. Withers plays the banjo and Irish flute.
Together, they’ve recorded “Up in the Batten House,” which is subtitled “Old Time Music of Southwestern Pennsylvania.”
Waldman will introduce the opening sets with a brief poem tied to Alaska and the music, then let the musicians take off. For his own concluding set, he’ll be joined by various musical configurations.
Tickets for this family friendly show are $18 in advance or $22 at the door; students pay $10. Call 724-284-8505 or visit www.bc3.edu for more information.
