Art Walk Friday
From our weekly issue dated December 10, 2008
The music of O’Brien residents George & Anwyn Leverett music often is featured on the National Public Radio show Thistle & Shamrock, which is syndicated worldwide.
The couple can be heard on radio programs across the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Russia and Brazil. They recently were featured on Art Beat, an Oregon Public Television series.
The Leveretts met 16 years ago at a Society for Creative Anachronism gathering in Nevada. Together with several friends, they formed the musical group Clan na Gael, which became a popular “Green Show” presence at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival for seven years.
During a group tour of the Pacific Northwest, the Leveretts discovered Illinois Valley, and in 1999 the couple moved to O’Brien and created their new musical identity. As Around the Hearth they’ve played in widely diverse sites from school assemblies to pubs and casinos, and have performed on stages and at festivals across the country from California to North Carolina.
One of their original songs, Baedon Well, from their CD Altar Wind is featured in the coming film Shadows. Another theatrical release, The Sea Wolf, will feature a hurdy-gurdy hand-built by George, who creates all the Old World instruments used in the duo’s recordings.
The Leveretts play a wide range of traditional instruments; chiefly George’s beautiful 36-string “Lady Harp,” as well as hurdy-gurdy, hammer dulcimer, and bowed psaltery. Around the Hearth will perform at Home Valley Bank in Cave Junction on Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. as part of Second Friday Art Walk.
They’ve sold more than 60,000 copies of their five CDs: Skye Boat, Songs from Shadow Wood, Altar Wind, Christmas Around the Hearth, and Hearth Light. The CDs feature Irish, Scottish and English music ranging from 800-year-old Christmas carols to contemporary compositions. All five CDs and a few musical instruments will be available for purchase on Dec. 12.
The public can attend the free performance, sponsored by Illinois River Valley Arts Council. Visit music@aroundthehearth.com for more information.
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