Join Your TownFun 
By None
Jerimoth Hill joins folk duo at Rose Garden
Wed Jan 16, 2008, 02:59 PM EST
By themselves, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly are almost a full band when you consider all the exotic instruments they bring with them. But on Jan. 19 at Mansfield's Rose Garden Coffeehouse, they will lead a much larger group as members of Jerimoth Hill join them for a rollicking, foot-stomping ride through the spiritual music of the American South.
The evening will begin with the award-winning duo Atwater-Donnelly performing a blend of American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry. Using an interesting array of instruments including the mountain dulcimer, old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, limberjack, mandolin, harmonica, feet, and more, the husband and wife team draws inspiration from their extensive travels over 20 years throughout America, Ireland, England and Canada.
The Atwater-Donnelly duo won three awards in 2007 from Motif Magazine: "Best Folk Act" for the Atwater-Donnelly Band, "Album of the Year" for "The Halfway Ground," and "Best Female Vocalist" for Aubrey Atwater. In addition to ten recordings, Aubrey has written three books of poetry and a songbook and Elwood has recently created a songbook for "The Halfway Ground." The duo is part of more than fifteen compilation CDs and has appeared on numerous recordings of other musicians.
Joining Atwater and Donnelly for the second half of the evening will be the other members of Jerimoth Hill, a 7-person ensemble performing old-time gospel music.
The repertoire summarizes years of research throughout the hidden pockets of America where music weaves a spiritual thread through work, play, and family life.
Five-part harmonies, accompanied by instruments like mandolin, mountain dulcimer, and banjo, tell the stories of commitment, faith, endurance, hope, and struggle as experienced by generations past.
Jerimoth Hill, named after the highest point in the state of Rhode Island, includes Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle and cello; Heidi Cerrigione on autoharp; John Cerrigione on bass; Uriah Donnelly on piano and lead guitar, and Kevin Doyle on percussion.
The Rose Garden Coffeehouse is held in the Orthodox Congregational Church, 17 West St., Mansfield, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. for the 8 o'clock feature performance. Tickets $16 (plus service fee) in advance at www.rosegardenfolk.com. At the door, tickets will be available for $18. The all-volunteer Rose Garden Coffeehouse, now in its 19th year, offers coffee, tea, and cold drinks along with a wide assortment of home-baked dessert items. The Rose Garden is both alcohol- and smoke-free and is wheelchair-accessible.
This and upcoming Rose Garden performances information is available by calling 508-699-8122 or by visiting the website.
