Folk festival announces winter series lineup

The Sisters Folk Festival will bring three shows to Sisters this winter in its annual Winter Concert Series.

The Steep Canyon Rangers will start the series Friday, January 9. After bursting onto the bluegrass scene in 2001, they were named IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 2006.

On stage and in the studio, they have perfected their ensemble approach, using fierce dynamics and seamless harmonies. Winners of the new band contest at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Rangers base their sound around a catalogue of original songs, drawing on the sounds of early bluegrass, honky-tonk and blues.

On Thursday, February 26, singer/songwriters Kris Delmhorst & Jeffrey Foucault will perform their brand of folk music.

Delmhorst's style of songwriting has been described as fully realized and even lush at times, but retaining a hushed intensity, a spirit of lo-fi intimacy and unhurried exploration.

Jeffrey Foucault has created a unique style and sound, and recorded his critically acclaimed "Ghost Repeater" with producer Bo Ramsey. His songwriting won critical acclaim: "impossible to take your ears away...," "a singular talent, an important new voice...," "striking intimacy and naturalness of tone."

Legendary Scottish singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean will perform on Saturday, March 21.

MacLean has established an international following with his guitar playing and honest and engaging voice and songwriting.

All the shows are at the Sisters High School Auditorium. Shows start at 7 p.m .; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, call the Festival office at 549-4979 or visit the Web site at http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org. A processing fee of $2 will be applied to online or phone-in ticket sales.

Tickets will also be available at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond, and FootZone in Bend. Ticket prices for the first two shows are $15 adult/$10 student; for Dougie MacLean they are $20 adult/$10 student. Series passes can be purchased for $45 for all three shows.

Tickets are also part of the Sisters Folk Art Circle package. Call Katy Yoder for more information at 549-4979.