Sat 11/1 @ 6:30PM
Northeast Ohio finger-style guitarist Brian Henke has been presenting his annual Woodchoppers Ball to raise money for charity for almost a quarter of a century: this year’s show at Kent Stage is its 24th.
Each year, he pulls together an all-star cast of players respected among aficionados of this genre, both veterans and up-and-comers, with shows that feature familiar, returning players beloved by the audience and newcomers. This year, he’s got nine acts with a range of musical styles, all but one familiar to audiences from previous years’ Woodchoppers Balls.
There’s Henke himself, of course, along with Indiana’s one-man band Michael Kelsey; another Indiana native Patrick Woods; frequent returnee Mark Sganga from New York; guitarist Tim Thompson and his fiddler son Myles; Northeast Ohio retired high school teacher/guitar builder Jesse Smith; funky, percussive Columbus-based guitarist Kelly Zullo; and the Madison, Wisconsin duo of Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin who perform as the Red Door. The newcomer is Alberto Lombardi, coming in from Italy. He’s a solo singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist who uses looping techniques to create a layered, orchestral sound.
This year, the event will be raising money for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH). Go here for tickets.