Recommended: Americana artists offer up “On a Winter’s Night”

Fans of Americana and folk music are in for a treat

Fans of Americana and folk music are in for a treat, when four esteemed songwriters take the stage for a concert, “On a Winter’s Night,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The program has a storied history.

In 1994, Christine Lavin gathered together a group of folk and Americana artists to showcase the music of the winter season for the now classic “On A Winter’s Night” album, and a legendary group tour followed. Devoted fans rejoiced when the tour was revived in 2019–2020, and now “On A Winter’s Night” has hit the road once again, setting its sights on Vashon.

The 2024-2025 tour reunites members from the original “On A Winter’s Night” lineup: Patty Larkin, John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt, and welcomes Lucy Kaplansky to the cohort.

Every one of these outstanding veteran musicians has remained in the constellation of the brightest stars of the singer-songwriter movement, touring steadily through the last three decades, with fond memories of playing together. The winter season will again be celebrated by these popular performers, back together by popular demand.

Acoustic Guitar Magazine has hailed Larkin’s “soundscape experiments,” while Rolling Stone praised her “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly), and “drop-dead brilliant” (Performing Songwriter).

“Bird in a Cage,” her 14th album, puts poems from 10 notable poets to song, including U.S. Poet Laureates William Carlos Williams, Stanley Kunitz, Kay Ryan, Robert Pinsky, and Billy Collins, for a new and haunting collection that pulses with the magic of lyricism.

Eberhardt continues to carry the torch for traditional and contemporary folk music through his strong live shows. Whether he’s out on tour solo or with a small band, his guitar playing, singing, and original folk and blues songs make for a compelling, thought-filled, emotional roller coaster of a concert.

Gorka has been hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement.” Winning the prestigious New Folk award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1984, he was then signed to Red House Records, on which he released his landmark first of 17 recordings, “I Know.” Recent accolades include being awarded the 2016 Indie Acoustic Project’s award for Best Singer/Songwriter CD of the Year for his album, “Before Beginning.” 2018 brought his latest release and the 14th of his career, “True In Time,” on Compass Records.

Kaplansky has been called “a truly gifted performer…full of enchanting songs,” by The New York Times. Blending country, folk, and pop styles, Kaplansky sings her own sweet originals and covers country classics by June Carter Cash and Gram Parsons, as well as pop favorites by Lennon/McCartney and Nick Lowe.

An in-demand harmony singer, she has sung on countless records, performing with Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

“On A Winter’s Night” will gather this ensemble of esteemed singer-songwriters for what is sure to be a memorable evening, celebrating the rich tradition of folk and acoustic music through timeless songs, poetic lyrics, and the intimate charm of seasoned performers.

Purchase tickets at www.vashoncenterforthearts.org.