Sisters Folk Festival announces concerts

Sisters Folk Festival continues its tradition of brightening up cold winter nights with an eclectic lineup of performers in the festival's 2014 Winter Concert

Series.

On Thursday, January 9, The California Honeydrops will return to Sisters after a rousing 2013 festival appearance. The Honeydrops' music speaks not just to the heart and soul, but also to the body - you have no choice but to dance. Drawing heavily on Southern soul and Bay Area R&B with a twist of New Orleans second-line street music, the Honeydrops defy genres. Their style may not have a name, but one thing is certain: The California Honeydrops don't just play music. They throw parties.

On Saturday, March 1, the incomparable Willy Porter will bring his inventive guitar playing, passionate songwriting and entertaining stage show back to Sisters. Porter continues to amaze with heavy guitar-driven instrumentals, heartfelt and insightful lyrics and absolute humor in his loop-effect stories about the underbelly of society.

March 18 will bring the return of Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph. A favorite of both the festival and the 2012 winter concerts, Joseph is stateside and will bring his new collection of songs back to Sisters. Considered a "courageous" live entertainer, Martyn follows in the tradition of social protest and commentary with intimate portrayals of the human condition.

To conclude the series, on Saturday, March 29, the festival will present a multi-media performance by the Celtic super-group, Solas.

"Irish America's most influential band," according to NPR, will perform as they celebrate the release of Shamrock City, their 11th album and most ambitious project and live show to date. It is a family story of immigration, mining and murder, and the remarkable history of Michael Conway and Butte, MT..., what Kim Ruehl, of FolkAlley.com calls "a deeply thoughtful, imaginative collection of songs which grapple with the wealth of ideas and emotions inherent in the immigrant journey."

The Sisters Folk Festival Winter Concert Series package is $75 for all four shows for adults, $40 for students. Individual tickets are $20 advance/$25 at the door, except Solas, which is $30 advance/$35 at the door.

For more information on the 2014 Sisters Folk Festival Winter Concert Series or to purchase tickets go to www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call the festival office at 541-549-4979.