Event

ELLNORA Interval: Natalia Zukerman and Erin McKeown

Saturday, September 12, 2009, at noon | Stage 5

ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival | Zukerman’s web site comes with a stern warning: “You may not be able to get over the mesmerizing guitar chops of Natalia Zukerman.” It’s a legit concern, for Zukerman’s slithery bottleneck slide will lure you in with the very first lick—and once you’ve heard the tender resonance of her blues-folk melodies, you’ll sink even deeper into the intimate, sweetly sophisticated lyrics that layer her dexterously played tunes with tales of discovery, love, irreverence, and reinvention.

Mojo magazine pegged Erin McKeown as a mash of “Björk’s girlishness with Rickie Lee Jones’ sophisticated confidence,” and her voice channels hints of Rosemary Clooney and Judy Garland. These expansive companions are apt ones for a young woman who’s sauntering across the musical map—thumping guitar beats caress folk strains while a bit of pop sidles next to touches of vintage swing. Audiences will delight in the not-so-standard American standards and original numbers that Entertainment Weekly notes are “so catchy and clever it’s a wonder she’s not yet a household name.” McKeown and 2007 guitar festival alum Zukerman will dazzle with solo work and then commingle for a beguiling, category-defying set.

Go to the official ELLNORA web site
Corporate Power Train Engine:
Eastland Suites Hotel and Conference Center
Scanics

Corporate Power Train Sponsors:
WCIA 3
JSM Development

Patron Sponsor:
Anonymous

Corporate Gold Sponsor:
One Main Development

Patron Co-sponsors:
Frances and Marc Ansel
Jean Huddleston, Kelly Foster, and Paul Foster
A. Mark Neuman
Mary and George Perlstein
Carol and Ed Scharlau

Corporate Silver Sponsors:
Chief/Bauer Heating & Air Conditioning
Dean’s Graphic Division
Hendrick House
The Blind Man Hunter Douglas Gallery

Corporate Bronze Sponsors:
Bacca Cigar Company
Barham Benefit Group
Fluid Events LLC
Precision Graphics
Jeffrey Van Buren, Senior Vice President-Investments of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and Valerie Van Buren

Regional Grant:
Arts Midwest

Additional Support: Fluid Events, LLC