Sunday, May 19, 7:30 pm, Orcas Center

Ruthie Foster brings her eclectic blend of  new and traditional blues and folk music to Orcas Center. Photo: John Carrico

Ruthie Foster brings her eclectic blend of new and traditional blues and folk music to Orcas Center. Photo: John Carrico

Orcas Center presents Ruthie Foster in a solo performance of new and traditional blues and folk music at Orcas Center on Sunday, May 19 at 7:30 pm, funded in part by the Orcas LGBT Fund. Orcas Center has been looking to bring Ruthie Foster to Orcas for many years but was unsuccessful due to her tremendous popularity and busy touring schedule. Finally Orcas Center landed the right combination of timing and touring support (thank you Orcas LGBT!). You won’t want to miss Ruthie Foster. She is an extremely talented performer who won the Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years.

Ruthie’s eclectic musical history is a combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Her astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride – from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy Band, to her award-winning music career in Austin. Ruthie added a Grammy nomination to her list of achievements in 2009 – Best Contemporary Blues Album for The Truth According to Ruthie Foster.

Tickets: $25, $19 Orcas Center members, $11 students. Visit orcascenter.org, or call 376-2281,

*Ruthie Foster will also lead a master class for adult and youth singer/songwriters on May 19 from 3 – 5 pm. The master class is free for ticket holders and $10 for others and is designed to provide an opportunity for local musicians of all ages to benefit from Ruthie’s background, experience and artistic philosophy. Pre-registration required, call (360) 376-2281 x 3 to register.

Make a whole night of it with Burgers & Brew at 6 pm ($15 at the door)!