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Benefit Fri Sep 14 2007
Discover Your Inner Folkster
This Saturday at 11AM, tickets go on sale for the Old Town School of Folk Music’s 50th anniversary “Really Big Show” at the Auditorium Theatre on December 1st at 7PM.
10 years ago, for its 40th anniversary concert, folk superstars like Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne and Arlo Guthrie performed at the Medinah Temple. This year, the lineup is a more diverse, including not only traditional folk musicians such as guitarist David Bromberg, but also sounds from the Sones de México Ensemble and a work by the Luna Negra Dance Theatre. Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, harmonica master Corky Siegel and a slew of other folkies will also be there along with Wilco band leader Jeff Tweedy (Tweedy?! Well, as bluesman Big Bill Broonzy, who performed at the school’s opening night in 1957, once said, “all music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song”).
The evening will also feature special guest Frank Hamilton, the first guitar teacher of the Old Town School.
In 1957, Hamilton would teach three guitar classes at the same time in, showing a new technique to one group and then shuffling to the next. At the end of class, everyone would meet in one room, eat cookies and sing folk songs for what became known as “second half,” a tradition that continues today (so don't be surprised if the audience breaks into song in December).
Tickets cost $35-250. Available at the Auditorium box office or (unfortunately) through Ticketmaster (312-559-1212).