NISSWA-Five Friday night concerts have been scheduled for the spring 2017 season of Grassroots Concerts in the Live Well Night Club and Coffee Bar of the Journey Church in Nisswa.
The quintessential folk troubadour Bill Staines kicks off the spring series Feb. 24. Organizers state in a news release, "Staines writes lovely, infectious melodies, and his story-filled lyrics recall with compassion and depth the landscapes and characters he's known. His songs evoke a remarkably strong sense of emotional and physical place, and in the words of the Austin American Statesman, they have the ability to translate the common details of common lives into songs of uncommon eloquence and beauty."
John Gorka will perform March 10. Many well known artists have recorded and/or performed Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O'Connell. "Gorka's poignant and witty songwriting offers depth, beauty, and emotion eminently matched by a passionate baritone voice that makes him an audience favorite across the globe," the new release stated.
Reina del Cid will perform March 24. Organizer stated, "Part singer songwriter group, part rock band you can find Reina del Cid and company at the intersection of lyrical storytelling, catchy riffs, and scorching solos. With a devoted online following, Reina del Cid has developed a sophisticated sound appealing to college students as well as white-haired intelligentsia."
Pierce Pettis will perform April 7.
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"The purpose is not fame and fortune whatever that is but simply doing good work," said Pettis, whose first album was a solo effort in 1984 before signing with High Street Records, a division of Windham Hill.
Pettis performs and has written songs in a mix of rock, folk, country and rhythm and blues genres. His songs have been recorded by Dar Williams, Garth Brooks and Art Garfunkel.
Wild Ponies will perform April 28. Fresh from a winter tour to the United Kingdom, this ensemble creates music drawn from some unusual collaborations and found "anywhere and everywhere" as inspiration gives voice.
"My favorite songwriters are people who are curious, who are always looking at words and connections and asking questions-people who pick things up in strangers' houses just to see what the bottom side of the ash tray looks like," co-founder Doug Williams stated in a news release.
The Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar is located in the Journey Church next to the school in Nisswa. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $10 at the door.
Grassroots Concerts are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Five Wings Arts Council with funds through the Minnesota State Legislature. Grassroots Concerts is a nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code.
The non-profit, volunteer-driven series, now in its 29th year, welcomes non-perishable food items and cash donations for the local food shelf at every concert.
For more information go to grassrootsconcerts.org or visit Grassroots Concerts on Facebook.
