Liz Carroll, Chicago-born Irish Fiddle Champion and Jake Charron, Canadian “multi-instrumentalist,” bring world-class, traditional Irish music to Viroqua April 18 at 7:30 p.m., wrapping up the first season of the World Roots Music Series at The ARK Center for the Arts, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Viroqua. Prior to their evening performance the musicians will offer a 2 p.m. Irish music workshop for student-level to advanced musicians at Parrish Music, 111 S. Main St., Viroqua.
Carroll’s 2009 recording with John Doyle, Double Play, was nominated for a 2010 Grammy, making Carroll the first American-born artist nominated for playing Irish music – ever. On St. Patrick’s Day that year she played in Washington, D.C. for President Obama, at the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. Earning a National Heritage Award Fellowship in 1994, Carroll was honored as a "Master Traditional Artist who has contributed to the shaping of our artistic traditions and to preserving the cultural diversity of the United States." In 2011 she became the first American-born composer honored with the Cumadóir TG4, Ireland's most significant traditional music prize. www.lizcarroll.com
Jake Charron, building a reputation as one of Canada’s fine multi-instrumentalists, has been in high demand for various styles of music, accompanying artists around the world on piano and guitar. Charron has been performing and recording with musicians including Shane Cook, Mark Sullivan, Brian Pickell and his brother, 3-time Canadian Fiddle Champion Kyle Charron. www.jakecharron.com
The World Roots Music Series at the Ark is an innovative series bringing world-class artists to the Driftless Region, featuring performances and music workshops in an intimate format, creating exceptional and unique opportunities for audiences to experience artists who rarely perform in small markets. Following each concert, there will be a free public reception to meet the performers and featured visual artists exhibiting in the Ark Center for the Arts Gallery. Sustaining Sponsor for the World Roots Music Series is Kickapoo Coffee. Major sponsors include: Parrish Music, Harpers Land Concerts, Organic Valley, WCCU, Vernon Communications, Custom Eco Modulars, Viroqua Food Coop, Viroqua Athletic Club, Maggie Jones, Charlie Knower and Patricia DeMark Knower.
The ARK Center for the Arts www.artarkviroqua.org , a volunteer-based organization incorporated in 2012, serves through its mission to inspire creativity, expand awareness and enrich community through the Arts while preserving a unique, historic building, making it a welcoming venue for a variety of arts programs and community groups.
