Événement

Fire and Grace - A Benefit Concert

The duet of violinist Edwin Huizinga and classical guitarist William Coulter infuse JS Bach, Irish dance melodies, and American roots music with the same loving devotion. In one performance they artfully weave the sophistication of classical baroque with circuitous Irish jigs, and partner colorful Bulgarian folk with foot-tapping Bluegrass, into a cleverly simple tapestry of musical revelry.

The March 10th performance, and the entire season of concerts at the Swedenborgian Church, benefits three local non-profit groups that do wonders for the people and environment of San Francisco:
- Nature in the City, which engages residents in butterfly, bee, and wildlife habitat restoration projects in diverse San Francisco neighborhoods;
- Young Womens Choral Projects of SF, which transforms girls lives through choral music education and performance; and
- Canine Companions for Independence which enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support.

Performing both baroque and modern repertoire, Canadian violinist Edwin Huizinga has appeared alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Dawn Upshaw, Mike Marshall, and Stevie Wonder, and has been featured as a soloist with the San Bernardino Symphony, the Sweetwater Music Festival, the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival, and the Banff Summer Arts Festival. Edwin is a founding member of the baroque ensemble ACRONYM and performs all over the world with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. He is also a member of the Juno-nominated indie rock band The Wooden Sky, and has recently been commissioned to write a piece for Canadas 150th anniversary.

Guitarist William Coulter has been performing and recording traditional guitar music for over twenty years. His most recent solo recording, The Road Home (Gourd Music) was met with critical acclaim, and in 2005, he received a Grammy Award for his contribution to The Pink Guitar, a collection of solo guitar arrangements of Henry Mancinis music. He has made a career of collaborative tours and recordings of Irish and early American music including Song for Our Ancestors, with classical guitar virtuoso Benjamin Verdery, Time to Sail and One Sweet Kiss and Westward with Kerry-born Irish singer Eilis Kennedy, Simple Gifts Music of the Shakers with cellist Barry Phillips, and Celtic Requiem with Irish vocalist Mary McLaughlin.