Evento

Beth Woods & Ara Lee James - Stand and Sway at Orcas Grange June 8 2019

First time in the San Juan Islands! Festival favorites Beth Wood and Ara Lee James will be gracing the Orcas Island Grange with their amazing songs, harmonies, guitar and a Capella singing that will not only fill the rafters but hearts, souls and minds. We are proud to present these two dynamos here on Orcas.

Doors open 7pm.. music at 7:30pm. We'll have non-alcoholic beverages, treats, friends and incredible Americana Music! $15 suggested contribution - either at the door or in advance to reserve your seat at Brown Paper Tickets.

Beth was a House Concert Favorite, as well as Sisters Folk Festival artist, Award-winning songwriter and poet, Song-Camp director and featured artist year after year in Central Oregon. She has toured the US, having been raised in Texas. Ara Lee James has toured and joined Beth to offer an amazing depth of song-writer excellence and harmonies that will bring out the goose-bumps and lighten your hearts... all at the same time! They have been touring together over a year as "Stand and Sway" - check them out! https://standandsway.com/video

Below is their full-on story!
Texan-raised, Oregon-based singer-songwriter Beth Wood has won almost every major songwriting competition in the United States, and with 20 years of touring and 11 studio albums under her belt, shes done. With anything that doesnt bring her joy. So shes added publishing poetry now, and tortilla making, and teaching songwriting and poetry to pass the torch of music for musics sake. Beths mission is to communicate and share the joy she feels through singing - through music as a spiritual practice. When you see her live youll taste this, and youll understand why Beth has long been one of the most beloved singer-songwriters in the industry.

Appalachia-raised, Washington-based Ara James (formerly Ara Lee) is a singer, poet, and activist with an unmistakable sound, commanding presence, and a voice that will leave you speechless. Ara has been singing professionally for over 20 years as an award-winning soloist, studio vocalist, and songwriter (formerly Ara Lee). Rooted in the traditions of gospel and deep South soul, Ara holds court on stage like a modern-day mystic. When you see her live youll wonder what just happened to you, and you will understand why Beth grabbed her after a show and said We have to work together.

And so they did. As a duo, Wood and James push the boundaries of soul and folk music and attempt to break down the walls that have separated the worlds of music and poetry. Wood and James Stand and Sway. The two also sit down and cry when its tough, laugh when its useless, and sing really, really loud often. They write, speak, tour, and teach poetry and singing workshops to inspire those disempowered to find their voices, because they agree that women singing unapologetically together can rattle glass ceilings. Their upcoming album, set to be released in the Spring of 2019, takes soul, folk, spoken word, Americana, gospel, and blues, shakes them around in a basket of harmony, and makes what they affectionately call grown-out-roots-music.

What began as a collaboration on the anthem Nasty Woman has evolved into its own beautiful thing Stand and Sway: a meeting of minds, voices, hearts, and spirits. Wood and Jamess distinct and powerful voices stand strong on their own, and together they create magic, energy, and community everywhere they go.

Beth Wood is a musical triple-threat a thoughtful songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist with a supple, soulful voice. Washington Post

From Ara Lees self-professed heathen gospel to smokey blues to the most rhythmic R&B to the most deeply touching ballads-Ara Lee is a vocal treasure. She belts...she wails...she testifies..she rocks...she does it all with a depth and range like no other. Morry Feldman, WQED Chicago
https://standandsway.com/video