A winter concert series featuring musicians, poets and artists will have its final show of the season on Saturday, February 8th. The show will feature solo performances by musicians and visual artist Dionne Haroutunian. Aniela Marie Perry is a classically trained cellist and the owner and luthier at Freelands Tiny House of Strings. She also holds a world record in the longest cello performance where she raised funds from musicians through Musicares. She will be performing a Bach solo suite. Julie Radmilla is a versatile violin player who will present solo Irish fiddle arrangements. Lauren Flynn is a songwriter and rhythm guitarist who will play solo as well as some collaborations with Julie and Aniela. Dionna Haroutunian is an artist passionately combining art, community building and motorcycle adventures to combat fear and prejudice. Devoted to her "World Peace One Friendship At A Time" vision, she travels the world on her motorcycle to meet people, experience their culture, share hers and form lasting friendships. She strongly believes that personal relationships are the key to a better world. "I am following the thread that connects us all."
The series, curated and produced by Lauren Flynn, is designed to “invite the viewer to unplug and join us for this unique presentation of talent and exploration of what drives the artist to create and share their work.”
Now in its third season, the series started as a way for louder bands from around the region to showcase their music and lyrics in an acoustic format. While performing around the state with her rock band, Buried Blonde, Lauren was captivated by a lot of the writing and storytelling in songs that are usually played in bigger venues, with louder patrons in a bar setting where the lyrics may be lost as they blend in with the total sound. “The rock scene is definitely a louder climate but I also thought that a lot of the stories behind the songwriter’s lyrics deserved more attention.”
The series began with bands and slowly integrated comics, poets, visual artists and even a show and tell segment. This year has featured all solo acts with a shift in the Unplugged theme, with patrons being asked to unplug for the two hour show – where people normally may be talking, drinking and taking photos this is a time for true community connection. To help build on that energy, this year includes discussion with the artists and the series takes place at the Blackbox Theater, home of Outcast Productions. “A theater is the perfect venue for this vision and the Blackbox Theater especially has the right energy to add that final touch of magic to the performances.”
The final show will take place on February 8th from 6-8pm. For detailed information and to purchase tickets, visit www.WhidbeyUnplugged.com
