SummerFest events to see to this week

Kara Hodge Senior Staff Writer

Balfa Toujours (L-R) Dirk Powell, Courtney Granger, Christine Balfa, Kevin Wimmer

Appalachian State University is offering a wide variety of programs in the upcoming week. The Office of Cultural AffairsÕ APP Summer Fest is almost halfway through. DonÕt miss this weekÕs events.

Tonight in the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, as part of the Belk Distinguished Lecture, Loyal Jones speaks on ÒIn Search of Faith, Meaning and HumorÓ at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow Dirk Powell and Balfa Toujours perform a mix of Cajun and Appalachian music at 8 p.m. in Valborg Theatre. Guitarist Christine Balfa, the daughter of fiddler Dewey Balfa, leads Balfa Toujours. Powell, an accordion player, is her husband.

Philadanco, PhiladelphiaÕs Dance Company will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. in Farthing Auditorium. In its 31st season, Philadanco has traveled across America, performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

ÒThe Junkman and Junk MusicÓ performs Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Valborg Theatre. Donald Knaack, founder of the group, has toured with such famous bands as Phish and on a recent European tour, gathered debris from war stricken Croatia and made them into instruments for the victims. His 1998 CD was nominated for a Grammy in the ÒBest Classical CompositionÓ category.

The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble performs Tuesday, July 17 at 8 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. TonightÕs performance is the fourth of six concerts scheduled to perform this month. The ensemble includes Gil Morgenstern, violin and artistic director; Carol Cook, viola, Darrett Adkins, cello; Linda Chesis, flute; Shirley Irek, piano and Brian Zeger, piano.

Guest artists include Kurt Nikkanen, violin; Nancy Bargerstock, violin; Peter Donovan, bass; Adam Rafferty, guitar; Kay Borkowski, flute; Lynn Parkerson, choreographer; and dancers Thomas Baird, Paige Whitley-Baugess, Naomi Tolome and Francis Jaena Jr.

The July 17 performance includes MozartÕs Sonata for Cello and Double Bass; Samuel BarberÕs Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 6; and BrahmsÕ Piano Quartet in c minor, Op. 6.

As part of the ÒWorks In Progress Series,Ó ÒWolfpitÓ a theater reading performs Wednesday, July 18 at 8 p.m. in Valborg Theatre. ÒWolfpitÓ is a verse play by English poet Glyn Maxwell and us based on a 12th century chronicle. Mark Lord is the director.

For ticket information and purchases call the Farthing Box Office at 262-4046. Box-office hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.appsummer.appstate.edu.

For more information about the festival call the Office of Cultural Affairs at 262-6084.

Celtic Folkers to perform Thursday July 19

Stephannie White - Staff Writer

The Celtic Folkers

The halls of the student union will soon be filled with the sounds from the flute, fiddle, whistle, and lilting Irish melodies. The Celtic Folkers, will be here to entertain us with their unique Irish style and a variety of folk instruments. It has been said of Billy Ôthe mild roverÕ Mulligan, Òhe knows over 400 Irish songs,Ó plus is able to play upon pop-songs with contemporary acoustic music, to give a whimsical twist. As a singer-songwriter, he has been a frequent performer in Irish settings as well as open for EmmyLou Harris, Richie Havens, and the late John Lennon. Larry OÕGaffe Bird of ÒThe Boston CelticÓ has called the Ômild roverÕ, Òthe best Celtic folksinger in the world.Ó

Fred ÔBuckeroo of OranmoreÕ Lail has been labeled the Òmother of all Irish fiddle folkersÓ by Saddam OÕShain of ÒThe Eireraqi TimesÓ. A fiddle player for over twenty years, playing with groups that have opened for John Prine, Jimmy Buffet, Bill Monroe, and the Tannahill Weavers. Having studies with James Kelly of Dublin and Eugene OÕDonnell of County Derry, his skills are unequaled. He has been offered teaching positions specifically for his instruction in Irish styles. He currently teaches, arranges, and composes music in traditional Irish style. He has been a guest artist the album ÒThe Bounty Hunter,Ó with Mike Cross. In 1995, he placed first in Scottish fiddling at the Loch Norman Highland Games.

ÔWicklothianÕ calls him the most brilliant fiddle player-the best that is alive today.Ó John ÔWicklothianÕ Trexler is himself, ÒThe only Celtic hurdy-gurdy player in the USÓ according to Paddy Morony of ÒThe Vagaband DailyÓ. The hurdy-gurdy was almost not in his collection of instruments. After first hearing it played, he felt it to be a rather primitive instrument, but later changed his mind after hearing it used by Blowzabella. The realization of the complexity of the hurdy-gurdy has fueled his passion, and now he owns three and has become a master. A proficient player of the Irish Flute, tin whistle, fife, clarinet, sax, shruti box, recorders, bombarde, assorted Celtic percussion instruments and the Galician gaita (a bag pipe from Celtic Spain) in addition to his three hurdy-gurdies. The gaita was his first bagpipe, and now he has 2 from French Brittany.

As the hottest Celtic band in the southeast, Appalachian State University is honored to have players of such rare skill play here on our campus. The band has broken the Sunday attendance record at CharlotteÕs Double Door. They have played a concert to honor noted Irish poet/critic Ciaran Carson at Lenior-Rhyne College in Hickory. The Celtic Folkers have won the 1993 Celtic Band contest of Charlotte Folk Music Society. They play a wide range covering jigs, haunting ballads, drinking songs, and other dance songs. They are sure to evoke the heart, soul, and fiery spirit of the Celtic World for Irish folk fans here in the Appalachian area. They will be playing on the Main Floor of the student union at 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, July 19.