Bowfire is a "total string experience" - a performance featuring the finest lineup of fiddle and violin virtuosos ever assembled on stage - and it's coming to The Bushnell on January 29 for one performance only! We had a chance to touch base with Bowfire creator and musical director, Lenny Solomon, about the show:
What was it like filming the PBS special (in Spring 2007)?
An amazing experience for us all. It started in a small rehearsal room with a director and a choreographer for a week. We then moved into a theater for rehearsals and for adding production elements like sets and lights, adding many people who work with those elements for a week, and then into the performance venue, adding the TV crew, the HD trucks and the recording truck. Hundreds of people ended up working on our show. I think the results show that it is a big and beautiful show. It just exploded for us.
Any funny show moments or "on tour" stories?
During rehearsals for the DVD, we were in a rehearsal theater for a week and the local crew stagehands could not find the "off" heat switch. It was 100 degrees and we were all sweating it. Funny now - hot then.
What do you love about Bowfire, and why is it a must-see event?
The fact that all us violinists and fiddlers share our music with each other is an incredible and gratifying experience. This fact elevates all our performances as we try to do our best for each other and the audiences, who pick up on the excitement we generate from the stage. Bowfire is a new direction in performance for strings combining styles and excellence. It is sensational virtuosity.
Anything else the audience needs to know?
Don't be afraid to bring anybody to this show.
Comments (2)
I just wanted to let music fans out there know that they really don't want to miss this show! I saw it last year at another venue after I was given tickets as a birthday gift. I hadn't really heard of Bowfire but I have to tell you I was blown away. As far as music styles, they cover everything you can imagine from Celtic, to Asian to Blue Grass to Led Zeppelin! Each member of the group is an expert in their instrument and style and when they play as one group it really takes flight. If you have seen the PBS show you have gotten a taste, but this is the type of show you need to see live. It's definately a show for music lovers of all ages and anyone who wants to try something completely new.
Posted by Rae Quinlan | January 9, 2008 11:09 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 11:09
I am out raged at your Companies false advertisements. I went to your new show African Footprints which thought was excellent beyond belief I invited my whole family to it and I think contributed at least 300 dollars to the Bushnell. Before this performance we were given a pamphlet titled "The Producers" which we could look through before the show. To my amusement there was a section in the pamphlet about African Footprints that helped answer a couple questions and said, "January 25-26, 2008". I thought this was very convenient because after I saw the show that Friday night other people I knew would like to see this fabulous play. So when I invited my neighbor and many family friends to go to this performance I was appalled when they told me they went down to the box office and there was no one there. I am outraged at you false advertisements and I and shocked and surprised how bad you made many people look. I demand an apology. We have gone and put thousands of dollars into the Bushnell all our lives so when my family and I experience such a betrayal and embarrassment we wanted to bring it to your attention and wanted some reassurance that this wouldn't happen again.
Posted by Faithlyn Johnson | January 26, 2008 9:39 PM
Posted on January 26, 2008 21:39