Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia

Subject: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Jan 14 - 07:53 PM

Well, it is official: The Alaska String Band, also known at the Zahasky Family Band, is on its way down under. Sponsored by the New South Folk Agency at http://www.newsouthfolk.com.au/on_tour_3.html, the Z's will spend 10 weeks in Australia after first touring in New Zealand for 7 weeks.

They leave home this week but before they cross ocean(s) they have a few gigs in Arizona and California. At that link you will see their listed venues, beginning in early March.

They are booked for 30 gigs in those ten weeks in Australia so I'm hoping that a number of Mudcatters will go to see and hear them in spots closest to you. Full of energy, filled to the brim with talent, these multi-instrumentalists and singers- Melissa's low harmony reminds me of a cello or viola- are simply excellent. They perform a wide variety of music, ranging from folk and bluegrass to jazzy boogie woogie in addition to some original songs. Do go see them.

This band is not only polished and GOOD, their shows are also authentically Alaskan. Behind them on a screen as they perform are scenes of Alaskan wildlife and terrain, photos that friends of theirs gave them or that were taken by themselves. You will see whales, sea lions and seals, bears, goats, eagles and ravens, glaciers, lakes and boats up close and personal, as well as historical photos of Juneau, Alaska's gold mines and gold mining days. Everyone upon leaving a show of the Zahasky's will know a lot more about Alaska's history and gorgeous scenery and it may even ignite a dream. As Paul Z said the other night: "Watching our show makes me want to live there!"

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Jan 14 - 09:51 PM

17 weeks and all! Wonderful!

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 12:49 AM

Alaska String Band Tour Australia

Looks like I'll be able to see them at the National Folk Festival.

andra

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 01:43 AM

Great!

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 03:17 AM

I am really looking forward to hearing them! When we visited Alaska some years ago I didn't want to come home, so a re-visit will be wonderful.

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 12:01 PM

There ya go, Jennie! They should be a big hit.

Oh- by the way- in the song Paul Z wrote about the Princess Sofia sinking disaster, you might wonder about the pronunciation- but he is correct. The name was pronounced 'so fye a', not 'so fee a.'

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 04:08 PM

I always thought 'so fye a" was the correct pronunciation!

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Tangledwood
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 04:52 PM

They'll be at the Nationals - great!

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 05:51 PM

Mal, will you be attending this year?

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 03:16 AM

After touring and performing in New Zealand the last several weeks, the Alaska String Band is on its way to Australia.

Their first stop is at the Port Fairy Folk Festival (in Victoria) from March 7 through the 10th. (www.portfairyfolkfestival.com)

If you are in the neighborhood, do take them in. They are very talented and put on a good show.

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 04:50 AM

my link to the tour posted 21st Jan no longer works

so here's the new link Alaska String Band Tour Australia

March 07/10          Port Fairy, VIC – (Folk Festival)
Thur Mar 13          Brunswick Music Festival, Brunswick, Vic
Sat Mar 15          Quarterdeck, Narooma, NSW
Sun Mar 16          Humph Hall, Allambie Hts., NSW concert
Mon Mar 17          Nowra, NSW - (Private Concert)
Tues Mar 18          St.Augustine's Old Chapel, Yass, NSW
Thur Mar 20          The Grove Factor Factory, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Mar 21/23          Yackandandah, VIC (Folk Festival)
Thur Mar 27          Port Noarlunga, SA (The Bowlo) concert
Fri Mar 28          Willunga, SA (Fernies) concert
Sat Mar 29          Prospect Town Hall, Adelaide SA concert
Sun Mar 30          Auburn, SA – H.A.T.S. (Old Courthouse) concert
Thu April 3          The Alexandra Acoustic Music Club, Alexandria, VIC
Fri   April 4          Bendigo, VIC – Folk Club   concert
Sat April 5          Valencia Creek, Vic - Alaskan Odessy & Show
Tue April 8          Alaskan Odessy @ Katinya, NSW
Thu April 10          The Cobargo School of Arts, Cobargo, NSW
Fri April 11          Diggers Club, Woolongong, NSW
Apr 17/20          National Folk Festival, Canberra, ACT
Apr 25/27            Mt. Beauty Muster, Mt. Beauth, VIC bookings

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Tangledwood
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 04:22 PM

Sorry JennieG, I've only just seen your question. Yes, I'll be there. See you there I hope?

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Mar 14 - 02:52 AM

Reviewer Gordana Andjelic-avila, among lots more, says:

"Winners of the Fame Awards – Bluegrass Band of the Year, the Alaska String Band's members are a gifted guitar picking, violin fiddling, dulcimer playing, bass banging, mean banjo jammin' and cheese grater-a-scraping family of five, who also deliver some sweet angel-like sounding vocals.

As if all of the above was not enough, the eldest daughter Laura, is quite the comedienne, speaking in an intentionally shy/awkward and endearing tone, she had the crowd in stitches. The rest of the family, dad Paul, mum Melissa, brother Quinn and little sister Abigail pitched in between songs, verbally weaving a colourful image of their home town and state so vividly and enticingly that, surely America's 49th state's official tourist website must experience huge spikes from online visitors after each "Z-Family" performance."

http://www.australianstage.com.au/201403146756/reviews/melbourne/alaska-string-band.html

:)

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Mar 14 - 07:54 AM

Mal, I've been away for several days......I hope we can catch up again, too!

Ebbie, that's a good review. If anyone reading it is heading off to the NFF it would make them want to see the band - they are on my list of "musn't miss performers", for sure.

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 01:59 AM

Freshen Up (Remember that soda?)

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Hagman
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 08:05 AM

Caught them at Port Fairy on the closing day (March 10). A lot of fun ans spirit. Excellent playing.

Michael.

Subject: RE: Alaska String Band Tour NZ and Australia
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 12:16 PM

Thanks, Michael!