Festival announces lineup for series

The Sisters Folk Festival's Winter Concert Series kicks off Saturday, January 19, with Grammy-nominated bluegrass band the Claire Lynch Band. Long recognized and praised as a creative force in acoustic music, Claire Lynch is a pioneer who continually pushes the boundaries of the bluegrass genre.

The Claire Lynch Band is a powerful juggernaut, a quartet that has the innate ability to perfectly interpret the beauty, subtlety, and genre-defying sophistication of Claire's music. She plays compelling original tunes and has been nominated numerous times as IBMA vocalist of the year. Claire Lynch is a gifted writer and singer with a top-notch band. Mark Schatz, along with Tim O'Brien and the O'Boys, among others, will perform a little hambone and Appalachian clogging.

On Friday, February 15, the series will feature the Portland Cello Project, with special guest Adam Shearer. This eclectic and riveting act combines the power of seven cellos performing everything from Radiohead to Metallica to classical music and more. Since the group's inception in late 2007, the Portland Cello Project (or PCP, as their fans call them) has wowed audiences all over the country with extravagant performances; mixing genres and blurring musical boundaries and perceptions wherever they go.

Their newest CD embodies the group's belief that "collaboration is the cornerstone of independence and artistic freedom." They have performed with a veritable "Who's-Who" list of Portland musicians, from Laura Gibson to The Dandy Warhols, Horse Feathers, Mirah and Loch Lomond, just to name a few. In that light, Adam Shearer, long known as the front-man for the Portland-based band Weinland, will perform with them and act as emcee.

On Wednesday, March 20, Sisters Folk Festival welcomes back legendary Americana artist and songwriter Tom Russell. Tom Russell is a master storyteller and has recently released "Mesabi," his 26th album.

"It's rare indeed when a songwriter is so strong in his own unique voice and style that they redefine the music boundaries that are in place; this is Tom Russell," says Sisters Folk Festival Executive Director Brad Tisdel.

Along with providing music and arts-oriented curriculum in the Sisters schools, Sisters Folk Festival is committed to providing affordable, quality entertainment in Sisters during the off-season. The concerts help stimulate the local economy, especially since the Winter Concert Series has developed a reputation for bringing top talent to Sisters.

A $40 package deal for all three concerts is available for purchase up to the beginning of the first concert. A Student Package is offered for $25 as well. To purchase tickets go to http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call the festival office at 541-549-4979.

The price for each show is $15/adult for advance tickets and $10/student, $20/adult at the door. The SFF 2013 Winter Concert Series concerts will start at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information on the 2013 Sisters Folk Festival Winter Concert Series visit www.sistersfolkfestival.org/wcs, or call 541-549-4979.