Saturday, April 23, 2005 FLOOK Irish traditional music for the 21st century 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00. Calvary Church, 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in West Philadelphia A Root and Branch concert.
Flook's unique combination of flutes underpinned by fluid guitar and hugely impressive bodhran playing has made them one of the most popular groups on the live music circuit in Britain today. Perfectly capturing the Zeitgeist of mixing traditional tunes with contemporary beats and ideas, they have been at the forefront of the new tradition of bands emerging at the moment and are one of the best and most innovative.
The secret of Flook is simple: it is the understanding between four musicians who, each after very different early musical careers, found their way together. It lies in a spontaneity born of their exceptional ability to react and respond to one another. And most importantly, it is the very real sense of enjoyment between them at recognizing this rare connection, then pushing it as far as it can go.
Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen provide the flute attack, with Sarah’s alto flute laying the bedrock of bass and grooves while Brian soars above, weaving his way in and out of the melody. Anchoring them both to the stage is the dream-team rhythm section of Ed Boyd on guitar and John Joe Kelly on bodhran, synchronized and gossamer-fine.
The idea of Flook was first conceived in November, 1995 when Michael McGoldrick, Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen got together for a one off tour entitled "Three Nations Flutes." Ed Boyd was drafted in at the end of the tour and they changed their name to Fluke and later Flook. When Mike left to pursue solo projects in 1998, John Joe Kelly was bought in full time having previously appeared as an occasional guest.
Flook continues to grow. Their gigs have an urgent energy, as if the connection is fleeting, creating an environment in which the audience is drawn into the here and now of the music. A music unrestrained, undefined - coming from four very different people with one common language.
Tickets are on a sliding scale: $15 recommended, $20 for special supporters, $10 for kids, seniors, students, and others who couldn’t afford to come otherwise. Advance tickets are available at House of Our Own Books (3920 Spruce Street) and online at
http://www.crossroads.calvary-center.org/tickets.htm
For more information, including photos, see: http://flook.co.uk
ABOUT CROSSROADS MUSIC
Crossroads events fall into three main groups. Monthly Philadelphia Crossroads concerts brings together contrasting but related music from two different Philadelphia communities. The Root and Branch series continue the former Cherry Tree Music Co-op's series of concerts by nationally-known touring artists. Finally, the Folklife Center's Nada Brahma (Sanskrit for "The World is Sound") events presents locally-based and national and international touring artists from culturally-specific traditions around the world. In addition, we collaborate with other organizations in producing several free community events at other West Philadelphia locations each year.
All concerts take place at 7:30 pm in the historic Calvary United Methodist Church. Oak paneling, red carpets, and a horseshoe balcony make the room feel more like an intimate theater than a church. Calvary Center is located at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue. The 34 subway-surface trolley stops at the door, and a free, well-lit, and city-maintained parking lot is located on the block. Dinner and refreshments are available at the concerts and at excellent restaurants nearby.
For advance tickets, directions, or other information: http://www.crossroads.calvary-center.org 215-729-1028
Crossroads is in part funded by grants from the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the 5-County Arts Fund. Some of our publicity costs are paid for by a marketing grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation to our parent organization, the Calvary Center for Culture and Community.
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