1:00 pm Hana Malhas

Hana Malhas (pronounced Henna) grew up in Jordan, a place with breathtaking desert mountains and rich sounds of an old language. Currently based in the US, she is inspired by the contrast of imagery and experiences between her Middle Eastern and Midwestern homes. Hana (pronounced: hena, like the dye) writes words that instinctively find their purpose in the sounds of a piano or guitar, connecting with listeners through songs that cut across cultures and borders. With original lyrics and an appealing vocal clarity, she delivers music that makes you feel like you’ve shared conversations reflecting on life’s most interesting moments.

Hana has performed in both Jordan and Michigan over the past year, engaging audiences with sincerity and humor. Her performances have showcased songs off of her debut EP entitled 'Olive Tree' (May 2008), among other unrecorded material. Prior to working on her solo material, Hana toured with Lazy Sunday , a four piece folk-rock band, as a pianist, vocalist and violinist for three years, at shows ranging from college coffee houses to main stages at festivals. She was also integrally involved in the band's full-length album release, Words and Sounds (2006). Her favorite musical activity is collaborating with other artists, in living rooms or on stages. She's currently recording an upcoming full length album, due to be released in January 2010.

Visit Hana's myspace page

2:00 pm Carmea

In Latin, Carmea means song, tune, poem or incantation. Fall under the spell of these three musicians and the sweet music they weave with their voices and a multitude of instruments. The folk trio was born in September 2007 when multi-instrumentalist Rachel Alexander met singer-songwriter-guitarist Catherine Ellis. Alma Muxlow was soon drawn into the group to add harmony vocals, percussion and mandola. Only after choosing the name Carmea—a combination of each band member’s first and last initials—did they discover the Latin roots of the word. The rest is magic.

Beyond entertainment, one of the group’s missions is to promote peace and social justice through interactive workshops sharing the role of song in the major social change movements of our time.

Click here for more information about Carmea.

3:00 pm ::: Linda Abar

"Linda Abar sings and plays piano in a style evocative of Joni Mitchell or Tori Amos. Her lyrics are both personal and opaque but it is her melodies and vocal purity that will bring you back again and again to her music."

-Mike Stratton, WLNZ, Lansing

Bringing passion and innovation to her career as a singer, songwriter and teacher, Linda Abar has found expression in a uniquely individual, stylized melding of her varied musical background.
           
Inher first CD, Once Upon A Time, Linda demonstrates her soaring vocal talent. Through the intricate woven melodies and incandescent lyrics of her original compositions, she conveys both daring ingenuity and dedication to her craft. Influenced by a multitude of genres, some of her songs on this recording have been compared to the jazz piano compositions of Vince Guaraldi, to the smooth vocal expression of Sade, and to the rich string arrangements of chamber music. What is most evident about this recording, however, is the fascinating feeling it evokes—at once relaxing and energizing.

Linda agilely performs folk, jazz and classical, drawing imaginatively on elements of Celtic and New Age. The result is an intuitive blend of the varied music she has followed in her lifetime of study and performance.

For more info, see her website.

4:00 pm Mighty Medicine

Let yourself be taken to places of joy and understanding with the healing sounds of Mighty Medicine. The smooth vocals of DeShaun Sparkle Snead combined with Larry Neuhardt’s intricate, finger-caressed guitar create compelling, high-energy adventurous music.

DeShaun and Larry seem an unlikely pair, but upon meeting, Larry instantly fell in love with her voice. DeShaun felt a special energy as well and wanted something to blossom and grow between them creatively.

DeShaun's musical storytelling abilities spring from growing up in a talented family in Ann Arbor Michigan. She is currently an undergraduate in jazz studies at MSU, studying with world-class jazz musicians and professors Sunny Wilkinson and Rodney Whitaker. For DeShaun, singing is a meditative art and her hope is that Mighty Medicine can be a channel for beautiful moments, inspiring listeners to new realizations about their own potential and capabilities.

Larry’s perspectives and passions are also grounded in music. He began playing guitar at age 12 and went on to include piano, jaw harp, and "anything with strings". During his years in Lansing, he has worked at Elderly Instruments and played in many bands and folk groups since the 1980’s. Larry is an artist, organizer, community builder and "exuberant socialite" in his words. Lately, he has been writing and producing sound tracks for short films and movies. By teaching guitar methods and styles. Larry explores greater dimensions and travels through music. His intricate, exciting, and steady guitar picking makes the listener happy to be there.

Goldenrod Music, Inc

1310 Turner St
In Lansing's Old Town

517.484.1712