Unplugged View
By Aaron Rowan
The Tri-Becca Philharmonic Festival
To err is human…..to air is divine.
Rebecca Lomnicky is an award-winning violinist and composer who has toured worldwide with chamber orchestras, Baroque ensembles, children’s choirs and more. In 2009, Rebecca won the 20th annual Glenfiddich International Scottish Fiddle Championship. The invitation-only contest – seen as the Grammys of the fiddling world – is widely regarded as the most prestigious in Scottish fiddle. Rebecca is highly sought after for her technically masterful and passionate playing, her knowledge of Scotland’s history and culture, and the ability to weave these together in lively and exhilarating performance. She tours the U.S. as one half of The Fire, a high-energy pure-drop Scottish music duo. Her world-class fiddling combines with bagpipes, guitar, bodhran, and whistle, played by multi-instrumentalist David Brewer, a founding member of popular Celtic act Molly’s Revenge. This dynamic duo bridge the gap between the fiddle and bagpipe music of Scotland – two worlds united, into a heartfelt and rousing musical experience. The Fire will be our September feature at Music At The GMC, on Friday night 9/16 at the Gottschalk Music Center‘s recital hall, 1502 E St. Doors open at 7 and concert starts at 7:30. Admission is $15, with free entry for kids 12 and younger. Seats can be reserved (recommended) at 209-543-5306 or modestounplugged@yahoo.com<mailto:modestounplugged@yahoo.com>.
I was stage-managing an orchestral concert in the Bay Area last year when I first met Evan & Marie Maxfield. What a lovely surprise it was when I heard that they were also from Modesto! They had recently relocated here from Utah, and quickly got plugged in with several of the band & orchestra ensembles around the Valley. Just as quickly, they became two of my best friends. Evan specializes in the trumpet, and Marie plays just about every orchestra instrument there is, as well as conducting. They are both super hard-working performers, and their 4 kids are also following in the classical traditions. But they have also seen far more than their share of hardships during their time here. So we’re having a special Music At The GMC event to benefit them on Sunday afternoon 9/18, starting at 2 PM at the recital hall at Gottschalk. We’ll hear numbers by a couple different small symphony sections that Marie is overseeing; a selection of flute pieces by Myra Ramirez, a recent winner of the Anthony Paul Forakis Scholarship; and a set by cello/piano duo Strings Attached, performing classical, jazz and pop with a digital edge. Strings Attached will be joined by guest vocalist Rebecca Leah Dias, singing jazz standards and more. Rebecca is very active in the local jazz scene, performing often in the Modesto, Oakdale and Sonora areas. We may see a few other special guests as well. Art and wine will also work their way into the day’s festivities. There’s a suggested donation of $20, going entirely to help this beautiful musical family.
For introducing me to the Maxfields, I shall forever be grateful to the third musical Rebecca coming to town this month – the great Rebecca Roudman, the crossover cellist behind Dirty Cello. They’re a super-powered stringband rocking the blues, bluegrass, classic rock, world music and much more. Rebecca treats her cello like an electric guitar, shredding her own special take on ‘Purple Haze,’ or on her own original, sassy, bluesy songs. The band have toured across the U.S., the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and China, sharing their infectious and energetic style with sold-out crowds all over. They’ve appeared in Modesto once or twice a year since 2013, and are back to inaugurate the 25th season of Sunday Afternoons At CBS, one of the greatest concert series in town. Sunday 9/25 at 3 PM, catch them at Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave. Afternoon tea and delicious baked goods will be served at intermission. $25 general, $20 seniors/students, $10 children. www.sundaysatcbs.com.
