2013 is a big year in Lotusland.
Our twentieth Lotus World Music and Arts Festival happens this September, but the celebration starts early — with the kick-off of our Lotus at 20 concert series.
Net proceeds from concert ticket sales go to the Lotus-Fitzgerald Endowment. After two decades, Lotus is going strong, and we’re building the foundation for a great future. We’re growing a perennial Lotus, and you can help — by attending one of our Lotus at 20 concerts, or by making a donation directly to the endowment.
Thursday, May 16 ~ Christine Balfa & Balfa Toujours
NOTE: This concert has been CANCELLED.
Free Show!
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park (Third Street Park; 331 S. Washington St.)
Led by Christine Balfa, daughter of the late Dewey Balfa — a legendary fiddler and ambassador for Louisiana’s Cajun culture — Balfa Toujours has taken generations of inspiration and created a vibrant sound all its own. Christine grew up playing triangle with her father, and absorbed music and language from the thriving culture around Basile, Louisiana. She sings with the raw emotion that is a hallmark of true Cajun music: authentic, heartfelt, and joyful. We can’t wait to two-step in the park. Here’s a clip of Christine and her crew, bringing a little bit of the bayou to Malaysia. Made possible with support from Old National Bank Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Previously …
Wednesday, March 6 ~
Sissoko & Segal: Chamber Music
Tickets: $15 general / $10 seniors 62+; children 12 and younger / $10 students • Tickets go on sale February 13
Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.)
Venue: First Christian Church (205 E. Kirkwood Ave.)
“Chamber Music” is a collaboration between Malian kora player Ballake Sissoko and French cellist Vincent Segal. Sometimes in unison, sometimes in counterpoint, the two sets of strings create complex rhythmic patterns that demonstrate a quieter, more refined version of cross-cultural music. “… beautiful, nurturing, sublime … music that straddles the boundaries between classical and folk, Africa and Europe” (SoundRoots). Check out Sissoko and Segal’s Tiny Desk Concert for NPR. Gorgeous stuff.
Saturday, April 20 ~ Paris Combo returns!
Tickets in advance — Buy early and save! — $20 general / $15 seniors 62+; children 12 and younger / $15 students • Tickets on sale at bctboxoffice.com
Day of show: $25 general / $20 seniors 62+; children 12 and younger / $20 students
Time: 8 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Venue: Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood Ave.)
A fab 20th-year Lotus celebration wouldn’t be complete without Paris Combo. Our audiences fell in love with this stylish French group back in 1999 at their first Lotus gig. Their style dips into jazz, French pop, cabaret, and gypsy music, and you’ll detect some sweet Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms, too. Fronted by chanteuse Belle du Berry, the group includes Australian David Lewis on piano and trumpet, Django-influenced guitarist Potzi, drummer François Jeannin, and bassist Emmanuel Chabbey. For folks unfamiliar with the delights of Paris Combo, here’s a delicious video morsel.
This project is supported through the City of Bloomington and BEAD’s Buskirk-Chumley Theater Grant Program.
