at the First Methodist Church in Point Richmond, Friday, January 11

Start the New year off on the right foot with the rhythmic sounds of Evie Ladin and her band!

(Point Richmond, CA, December 31, 2012)--Point Richmond Acoustic continues its ongoing concert series on Friday, January 11, at 8 PM with acclaimed musician/singer/songwriter Evie Ladin and her band at the First Methodist Church, located at 201 Martina Avenue in Point Richmond. Wisconsin songwriter Katie Dahl opens the show. Tickets are $15, available at the door. More information is available at www.pointacoustic.org. 

Evie Ladin is one of the Bay Area’s most acclaimed musicians. The polyrhythmic beat and funk of Ladin's clawhammer banjo, resonant voice, real stories and rhythmic dance have been heard from A Prairie Home Companion to Celtic Connections, Lincoln Center and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Known as a driving force behind San Francisco's Stairwell Sisters, Ladin merges a deep background in traditional music with an urban sensibility that brings folk music right up to 2013, with a fresh, contemporary sound. 

Ladin is joined by some of the Bay Area’s most innovative string musicians/dancers. With a neo-traditional soul, the Evie Ladin Band throws down a new folk music with an unusually creative and surprising live show.  Ladin’s husband, Keith Terry (bass, Body Music, vocals) is a renowned percussionist/rhythm dancer, and the founder of the International Body Music Festival. Body, bells, box, toys, Keith approaches bass as tonal percussion, and adds delightfully unusual elements to the show.  Dina Maccabee (fiddle, vocals) combines mastery on violin with voice and body percussion. Erik Pearson (guitar, banjo, vocals) is a fine musician who adds both contemporary and traditional flavors to the band's driving sound.

Special guest artist Katie Dahl opens the show. Dahl is one of the Midwest’s premiere up and coming songwriters, and the co-author of Victory Garden, a musical comedy presented by Wisconsin’s prestigious American Folklore Theater. Dahl has released two CDs and has won several songwriting competitions including the Big Top Chatauqua songwriting contest. "Katie is one of my favorite young songwriters," says series co-producer Bruce Kaplan, "Once again, we've managed to get an opening artist who could easily be a headliner. So we're in for another night of spectacular music!" 

The Pt. Richmond First Methodist Church is an intimate place for concerts, and music is an important part of its program. Built more than 100 years ago, the octagonal shaped sanctuary accentuates the up close and personal nature of the music. Pt. Richmond is a small enclave right off 580 ten minutes north of Berkeley and 10 minutes south of San Rafael.

The Point Richmond Acoustic Music series is completely non-religious and people of all faiths as well as no faith are welcome. It’s a friendly no-pressure environment, and even if it’s been a few decades since you have set foot in a church, no one is going to bite you. But they might offer you a cookie or cup of coffee. It’s all about the music here.

The Point Richmond Acoustic season continues on the 2nd Friday of each month with more stellar talent:

• February 8 – Songwriter Claudia Russell and friends
• March 8 – Bay Area’s legendary Queen of Bluegrass, Laurie Lewis
• April 12 – Banjo Master  Bill Evans
• May 10 – Folk Blues with Chris Webster and guitarist extraordinaire Nina Gerber. Dynamic bluegrass duo Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman open.

Point Richmond Acoustic is co-sponsored by Point Richmond Music, Folk Unlimited and the First Methodist Church. Visit www.pointcacoustic.org for more info or contact Pt. Richmond Acoustic at folkunlimited@att.net.

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[Photos are available at the artists Web sites.]