March 1, 2013
In the spirit of musical preservation of American roots music and pure enjoyment, two upcoming concerts are planned at Flagstaff’s Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA). Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music (FFOTM) and MNA will present a CD release party for Run Boy Run on March 23, and Chris Brashear with special guests Peter McLaughlin and Todd Phillips on April 5.
On Saturday, March 23, Arizona’s rising stars and neo-traditional darlings of song and string music Run Boy Run will celebrate the group’s newest CD release with a listening party, and beer and wine reception. Formed in the summer of 2009, Run Boy Run has emerged as a powerful force in the Arizona desert music scene. They won Flagstaff’s own Pickin’ in the Pines Band Contest in 2009 (a program of FFOTM), then went on to win the coveted Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest in 2011. They were the featured performers on A Prairie Home Companion in January and have been busy recording, performing throughout the Southwest, and building a growing catalog of traditional, original, and familiar material. The unique sound of Run Boy Run is rooted in the traditional music of the Appalachian South. Dynamic, orchestral, and overflowing with beauty, Run Boy Run exists in the tension between tradition and frontier. Tickets are $13 for FFOTM and MNA members, seniors, and students; $15 general admission; and $17 at the door.
On Friday, April 5, Chris Brashear, Peter McLaughlin, and Todd Phillips will return to Flagstaff. Brashear is an exceptional and a colorful multi-instrumentalist, charismatic singer, and songwriter who portrays contemporary life with old-time flavor. McLaughlin is the 1988 National Flatpicking Guitar Champion. He has toured and recorded extensively with Laurie Lewis and Grant Street. McLaughlin and Brashear have been performing together since 1992. Their performances include sibling-like vocal harmonies, intricate arrangements, and stunning instrumental virtuosity. Though steeped in bluegrass tradition, they perform many original songs and draw from a deep repository of acoustic roots music on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. They are joined by Grammy Award winner and original founding member of David Grisman Quintet, Todd Phillips on acoustic bass. The Blue Moon Trio with Reno and Sheila McCormack, and Julie Sulllivan will open the show. This is a First Friday Art Walk event and the Museum’s exhibit halls will be open to attendees. Tickets are $16 for FFOTM and MNA members, seniors, and students; $18 general admission; and $20 at the door.
Both performances will be held in the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Branigar Hall, a 200-seat room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a one-hour wine/beer cash bar reception. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Museum of Northern Arizona, FFOTM.org, Flagstaff School of Music on E. 7th Ave. next door to the White Dove Coffee Shop, and Arizona Music Pro in downtown Flagstaff.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is located at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road in Flagstaff. Further information is available at 928.774.5213, ffotm.org, or musnaz.org.