House Fire Benefit Concert for LouAnne Kirkwood and Mark Murphy
By Donation, Friday, June 23, 7:30 PM
What happens when Tom Chapin, Guy Davis, Professor Louie & Miss Marie, Walt Michael & Co., Brenda Bufalino & Michael Sansonia, and The Vanaver Caravan come together? An incredible evening of music, song, dance, and a dynamic, heartfelt festival not to be missed!
Last month LouAnne Kirkwood and Mark Murphy lost their entire house to a fire. Mark is a beloved bass player and the “rock steady musician” in The Vanaver Caravan. LouAnne was a former Kindergarten teacher at Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in its early years. Love poured out to them but more support is needed as they work to rebuild their lives.
All the performers on the June 23rd program have played closely with Mark and are excited to help. Both Mark and LouAnne have always been there for everyone else. Now it’s time to come together and be there for them, show the love, and raise the roof. Don’t miss this evening to remember!
Checks and cash will be accepted as well at the event. Checks should be made out to Mark Murphy. If you cannot attend, donations can also be sent to: Mark Murphy ℅ The Vanaver Caravan 10 Main Street Suite 322 New Paltz, NY 12561.
Performers:
Brenda is a mixed genre artist: dancer, choreographer, author and ceramicist. As a soloist, and choreographer, Brenda has performed and taught internationally for over 30 years. Her collaborations with Charles ‘Honi ” Coles, and her many performances with Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers, and the many giants of tap dance has infused her with the essence of the form that she shares with her stories, teachings and dance.
In a career that spans six decades, 27 albums and three GRAMMY awards, Hudson
Valley Troubadour Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In
addition to his work as a recording artist, concert performer, storyteller and activist, heʼs
performed on Broadway and worked extensively in television, radio and film.
Guy has known Mark for more than 2 decades. They’ve toured the US, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Scandinavia. Guy plays that bullfiddle like his soul is in it. He sincerely hopes Mark and Luan overcome this fire.
Professor Louie & Miss Marie from Woodstock, NY,longtime performers and songwriting team, have published and recorded over 100+ songs together and performed internationally. They have been Inducted into the South Canadian Blues Hall of Fame, and The Blues Hall of Fame (NY Chapter). Louie received The Common Ground on the Hill Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Traditional Arts.
Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to breath-taking original compositions. His various musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell and Walt Michael & Co. have spanned over 35 years and taken him from the coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games.
Michael is a musical director, lyricist/composer, and music producer with an extremely varied background. He formed and performed with a Medieval ensemble for the premier of ROBIN AND MARIAN (starring Sean Connery), and a Country-Western band for the South African equivalent of the Kentucky Derby.He continues his long career of playing both recording and club dates, which has led him to perform with artists ranging from Jimmy Dean to Richard Gere to Shawn Colvin.
For 50 years, through three generations, The Vanaver Caravan Dance and Music Company has been an integral and beloved part of the Hudson Valley community: promoting peace, celebrating our shared humanity, and transforming young lives through the magic of music and dance.With each performance, The Vanaver Caravan aims to educate, entertain, and inspire our audiences, drawing from a vast repertoire of dances and music gathered around the world.