The Hope College Patrons for the Arts will present La Guitara, a ground-breaking exploration of women guitarists, on Friday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre.
The concert will feature Patty Larkin, Kaki King, Mimi Fox, and Muriel Anderson. Bringing individual styles and genres, they will be playing both as soloists and together.
The brainchild of alternative-folk artist Larkin, the concert is the living version of a new album, "La Guitara," which features 16 women guitarists.
"La Guitara is a snapshot of an ever-changing landscape. These women are innovators and educators, alt types and concert hall performers, jazzers, blues players, composers and interpreters. La Guitara explores the contribution of women to the evolution of guitar," Larkin said.
Larkin performed at the Knickerbocker Theatre in 2002, and has earned acclaim as a superlative singer, accomplished songwriter and inventive guitarist. "Guitar World" has called her work "genre-stretching, string-popping alterna-folk."
All the other women are recognized leaders in their own genres.
King has been described as "the most striking young musician to emerge in decades" by "The Los Angeles Times." Her style is a combination of percussion, composition and technique--all played with fire that comes from thinking outside the box. Her appearances on national television, such as the Conan O'Brien show, have helped King reach new audiences.
Fox is known as a lively musician who has performed solo as well with fellow jazz greats Charlie Byrd, Charlie Hunter and the Grammy - nominated David Sanchez, who appeared at Hope College in September. "Jazz guitar at its best," is how "Just Jazz Guitar" magazine describes Fox.
Anderson has been described as "one of the world's best, and most versatile guitar instrumentalists" by the "Chicago Tribune." She is also the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship.
The November 11 concert is the only West Michigan appearance of La Guitara, and one of just two Michigan performances.
A portion of the La Guitara album proceeds will go toward music education. Continuing in that spirit, the Hope College Patrons for the Arts have completely underwritten the performance, earmarking all ticket revenue to be used to allow artists visiting Hope College to make appearances in area public schools.
Tickets for the performance are $10 for regular adult admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $3 for Hope students and children 18 and under. Seats are reserved, so early purchase is encouraged. Tickets are available now and may be purchased by calling (616) 395-7890 or visiting the theatre lobby box office in the DeWitt Center weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Additional information may be obtained by visiting La Guitara's Web site at www.sroartists.com/artists/laguitara.
The DeWitt Center is located on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. 8th St.