Roots Calendar


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Published: Jan 13, 2010

Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys

Sometimes it's juicy accordion blues in English, just Broussard and his squeezebox singing of teardrops on an African mine. That's pretty deep for a zydeco band that urges you around the dance floor in French with the next song, but not surprising for the youngest son of Creole recording pioneer Delton Broussard. Jan. 22, Allons Danser @ TK Club, 500 E. Hector St., Conshohocken, 610-828-9352, allonsdanser.org.

International Guitar Night

With all the love for gypsy jazz in these parts, Lulo Reinhardt (Django's grandnephew) alone would be draw enough. Tipping the scales are Stephen Bennett, Brian Gore and Itamar Erez, all equally riveting in their technique. Jan. 26, Crossroads Concerts, Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St., 215-729-1028, crossroadsconcerts.org.

Gina Sicilia

A charming blues interpreter who also dips into country and doo-wop, mixing covers with originals. Jan. 30, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St, 215-928-0770, tinangel.com.

Sweet Honey in the Rock

This is a cappella at its most luxurious, with plenty of room for improv in a wide world of styles and rhythms. Feb. 6, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800, kimmelcenter.org.

RUNA

Both Pan-Celtic and new acoustic, Philly's RUNA has Shannon Lambert-Ryan's old-school Irish-style singing at its center, surrounded by serious instrumentalists Fionán de Barra on guitar and Cheryl Prashker on percussion. Their music stops conversations cold. Feb. 24, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Los Lobos plus Leo Kottke

True story: Years ago, the morning after Kottke worked his 12-string-guitar magic at a local club, he called an XPN folk music show, breathless, begging to know who was that Latina he'd just heard, also playing a wicked 12? He was informed it was the Lark of the Valley, Lydia Mendoza, and told how to find her. Did he ever work up some of her stuff? Unknown. He has the gorgeous voice to pull off those boleros — wouldn't it be cool if he actually played a couple with Los Lobos? March 27, Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

King Sunny Ade

There is no bigger deal in Afro-pop music. The sound will be excellent, unlike many of the more homey places King Sunny Ade often plays, but how will WCL deal with the crowd from the old country who wants to get up close and personal, to spray Ade with cash in trade for an improvised song of praise? Then there is the custom of the concerts running until all hours — the suspense is killing. April 8, World Café Live.

Music from the Crooked Road

That road snakes through the hills of Virginia where old-time mountain music is alive. The National Council for Traditional Arts has chosen six acts that represent the breadth of styles, from ballads to bluegrass. April 22, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900, pennpresents.org.