My Own Two Hands tickets on sale

The Sisters Folk Festival's annual community-themed art fund-raiser My Own Two Hands will be held Friday and Saturday, April 11-12. The event supports the Sisters Americana Project, which provides roots music education in Sisters schools.

Tickets are still available for this community celebration of arts and music. This year's theme is "Reflection" and celebrates the creativity of the Central Oregon arts community and the talent of young people in Sisters.

On April 11, the Community Art Stroll, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., will bring more than 20 local and regional musicians to perform throughout Sisters at art stroll locations. Art galleries and select sponsor locations will display the artwork donated for the event by over 125 Central Oregon artists. Artists included this year are Norma Holmes, Dennis McGregor, Tom Browning, Kathy Deggendorfer and Tonye Phillips, Cristina Acosta, Susie Zeitner and former Americana Project student Laura Campbell.

Directly following the art stroll, the communty will gather for the Performing Arts Evening and Bronco Billy's Benefit Chili Feed, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Performances scheduled for the Chili Feed include students from Sisters middle and high schools' Americana Projects, ending with a rousing encore performance by the Sisters High School Jam Scene Brass Band. The Jam Scene Brass Band will perform funk and R&B numbers reminiscent of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with local professional guest artists sitting in, under the direction of Jody Henderson.

The annual Art Auction and Party at Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works is set for April 12, at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available for this event and can be purchased by calling the Sisters Folk Festival office at 549-4979.

Early ticket purchase is recommended; the event always sells out.

The evening culminates with live and silent auctions, where art is available for an extremely good value, all the while supporting the art and music education program of the Sisters Americana Project. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by "3 Leg Torso" of Portland, making their Central Oregon debut.

Tickets are available for all events throughout the year presented by the Sisters Folk Festival by joining the Sisters Folk Arts Circle, a yearly membership to support and enjoy cultural events. For a $1,000 contribution members receive six all-events badges and two Sponsor Dinner tickets for the 2008 Sisters Folk Festival, four tickets for each show for the Winter Concert Series, two My Own Two Hands tickets for the Art Auction and many other benefits.

For information about the Sisters Folk Arts Circle or to purchase tickets for the Art Auction and Party on April 12, call the Folk Festival office at 541-549-4979. The art for this year can be previewed by visiting the festival Web site http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org. Proxy bid sheets are available online.