The Wanderers perform at Washington's Grand Coulee Dam, constructed during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
From Bill Buchan
The popular singers, The Wanderers and Tom Rawson, return once again to the islands this weekend — to Orcas on Saturday, May 19 and to Lopez on Sunday, May 20.
The Wanderers are the duo of Carl Allen and Bill Murlin. They feature folk songs from the 1950s to today. They focus on good harmonies backed with well-blended guitars and banjo.
In addition to those great old songs, they specialize in the Columbia River songs by Woody Guthrie written in Portland, Ore., in May 1941. Their programs include Woody’s quotes, known and unknown songs and stories about how the songs were written.
Folksinger Tom Rawson is the Northwest’s very own version of Pete Seeger. Armed with longneck banjo and other weapons of mass delight, Tom is a master of warmth and wit who loves to share his musical treasures with an ‘I know something you don’t know and you’re gonna love it too’ kind of smile.
Tom will be accompanied by Ellen van der Hoeven on penny whistle and vocals. From gospel to contemporary, profound to downright silly, Tom will have you singing, clapping, and laughing along all night.
Join The Wanderers and Tom for some humorous stories, user-friendly songs, and acoustic folk philosophy that’s guaranteed to leave you smiling. Tune up your vocal chords; you’ll need ’em!
Orcas Island – Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Orcas Island Senior Center, 62 Henry Road, Eastsound at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $12. For information, call 360-376-3613
Lopez Island – Sunday, May 20, 2012 at The Gathering Place at The Hamlet, 229 Village Road, Lopez Village at 2:30 p.m. Admission: Free Will Donation. For more information, call 360-468-3397.
