Andrew & Casey Calhoun with Opener Amelia Sweet Bluebird

Veteran Chicago area folksinger/songwriter Andrew Calhoun is joined in performance by his daughter Casey, adding vocals and interpretive dance. Casey’s pure, distinctive voice takes the lead on songs by artists from Anais Mitchell to Frank Loesser, and adds new dimensions of harmony and call-and-response to Andrew’s originals, Scottish ballads and folksongs, and rare 19th century African-American spirituals. Casey, an accomplished dancer, moves to Mary Oliver’s poetry and Dave Carter’s music in this striking, joyful combination of complementary talents.

Casey Calhoun has studied dance at Dance Center Evanston, Gus Giordano Dance Studio, and Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle. She performed with Dan Bern in July 2006 on the mainstage at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

Andrew Calhoun writes with a paradoxical combination of incandescent intellect and unstudied magic. He is both a lightning rod for “the unconscious rightness of intuitive connection” and a perpetual student of songcraft with deep respect for both tradition and innovation. In the 40+ years that he has been a songwriter and performer, he has created an impressive collection of songs from which he draws in live performances.

Andrew has since toured internationally, performing at folk clubs and festivals, pubs and house concerts. Calhoun founded Waterbug Records, an artists’ cooperative folk label which has grown to 100+ titles, bringing some of the brightest singer-songwriters and folk musicians to an international audience. His own recordings have been released on Hogeye, Flying Fish and Waterbug Records.

​”I have known Andrew for many years and have enjoyed hearing him play, but this – his playing with his daughter – is all fresh and new, and I loved it. These musicians are gifted at their craft and each brings to the other’s singing a lovely balance and power. The music is both light and dark, giddy and somber, but always accomplished. Andrew is well known for his profound songwriting ability. His songs – some brand new, some old and well loved – always represent who he is and what is grabbing at him at the moment. Casey is a delight – her voice is clear and crisp, her dancing is interpretive to a song or poem recited by her dad, and her banter with her father made me laugh. Their connected harmonies show the audience how well matched they are as singing partners, and her solo numbers are truly gripping and delightful.” – Reverend Blair Hull, Stained Glass Coffeehouse

Amelia Sweet Bluebird will perform a short opening set. Inspired by nature, stories within songs, and social protest movements, Amelia Sweet Bluebirdbrings beauty and meaning to her audiences. With guitar in hand, she shares both originals and well-loved favorites in the fluid folk genre. Sweet Bluebird’s resonating voice has an expansive range and has often been compared to Joan Baez.

“An outstanding young artist…I was just wowed by her voice, everyone stood there with their jaws dropping listening…what an amazing voice” -Lilli Kuzma of 90.9 WDCB