An American old time music and dance variety show full of humour and skill comes to The Platform in Morecambe on Friday November 7.
Appalachian Roots is a dynamic mix of traditional dance, song and instrumental music from the Southern Appalachian region of the United States, with a few international twists thrown in.
Performed by renowned percussive step dancer Ira Bernstein and virtuoso old-time musician, singer and raconteur Riley Baugus, the concert will include percussive flat footing and buckdancing, rhythm tap dancing, clogging, boot dancing, fiddle tunes, Appalachian songs and ballads, old time fiddle and banjo tunes and mountain preaching.
Ira Bernstein is regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of percussive step dancing in America and, in particular, as one of the foremost southern Appalachian flatfooters in the world.
His repertoire is a wide range of dances that all share a common thread – the production of rhythmic, percussive sounds.
The dances are more than movements accompanied by music, they are movements that make music – his feet are the sticks and the floor is his drum.
He has performed at many festivals and concerts all over the US and Canada and at 17 other countries around Europe, Asia and the Middle East and has appeared numerous times on television and in theatrical productions.
Riley Baugus first came to the British public’s attention when his singing was featured on the soundtrack to the recent Academy Award winning film ‘Cold Mountain’.
Those who have watched the DVD have seen the superb concert featuring the singers and musicians from the film with Riley upfront.
A native of North Carolina, he began playing music and singing at an early age and developed a love and appreciation for traditional Appalachian music.
Riley also plays with the Dirk Powell Band and Polecat Creek and has played with numerous other old time string bands. Collectively the pair have nearly 60 years of music and dance experience.
The show will start at 8pm and tickets cost £12 adults and £11 concessions, from the Box Office on 01524 582803 or 01524 406108.