Rex Scofield
Audio By Carbonatix
The free, annual Tucson Folk Festival is back for its 41st year, and to help support this long-running event, its hosts, the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association, in collaboration with Art State Arizona, are hosting a benefit concert.
15 Arizona acts will take the stage at the Rhythm Room for three hours of live performances on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Holding the event in Phoenix presents an opportunity to continue bridging the music communities of both cities, including players and fans.
“This concert is a real celebration of Arizona’s longstanding folk music communities and how that cultural connection unites our cities,” says Jonathan Frahm, TKMA board secretary. “More families and performers from the Phoenix area are attending our festival than ever. It made sense to bring a concert to the Valley, and we couldn’t be any more excited about it.”
Katherine Kwan
The performers are also excited about the event.
“Our band is currently scattered across the globe; however, a few of us will be there representing our solo work, and we feel honored to support the Tucson Folk Festival,” says Rachel Villa of Latin fusion band Las Chollas Peligrosas.
“Of course, in the true spirit of Chollas, we will likely chime in with some super special guest sauce,” she adds.
SpryTime
Another member of Las Chollas Peligrosas, Marian Hanneken, shares her bandmate’s enthusiasm.
“We’re really excited to play this fundraiser because TKMA and the Tucson Folk Festival are all about community, connection and sharing music in a way that feels real and welcoming. It means a lot to be part of something that supports original acoustic music and brings people together through song,” she tells New Times.
Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers are also on the hearty bill, and as usual, are more than ready to deliver a high-energy set of their driving rock, which they call ‘American-thrash-pop.’
“We enjoy seeing our Phoenix-area musician friends perform at the Tucson Folk Festival, so when the organizers asked us if we would perform at their Phoenix-area benefit concert, we happily accepted. We love bringing our two great Arizona cities and their people together with music,” says Carol Pacey.
Featured performers, in no particular order, include:
- Anamieke Quinn (of Las Chollas Peligrosas)
- Betsy Ganz (of The SunPunchers)
- Carol Pacey & Andy Borunda (of Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers)
- Craig Wallach
- Eric Douglas
- Eric Schaffer (Eric Schaffer & The Other Troublemakers)
- Fresh Apples
- Lizzie
- Marian Hanneken (of Las Chollas Peligrosas)
- Pablo Rodriguez (of Pablo & the Pour Decisions)
- Rachel Villa (of Las Chollas Peligrosas)
- Rising Sun Daughter
- Roth D’Lux Duo
- Secret Harbor
- Smootmahooty
The Tucson Folk Festival benefit runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 17 at The Rhythm Room. Tickets are $15.
