The Hibbing Arts Council and Dylan Days Benefit Concert Committee are pleased to announce that famed violinist Scarlet Rivera will headline the line up for the 2009 Dylan Days Benefit Concert at the Historic Hibbing High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Rivera, violinist for Bob Dylan in the mid-1970's, will be accompanied by Gene LaFond & The Wild Unknown. "This will be an historic event and is not to be missed," said Gregg French, chair of the Dylan Days Benefit Concert Committee. "This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to see true musical legends perform live on the Hibbing High School Auditorium stage." Rivera and LaFond are contemporaries of Hibbing native Bob Dylan and accompanied him on the famous Rolling Thunder Revue Tour of 1975 and 1976. One of the world's most prominent, active and versatile violinists, Rivera is known for her contributions to the recordings and performances of some of the most influential artists of our time, including Bob Dylan, Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman, Keb 'Mo, and David Johanson. Though Rivera is a composer and performer in her own right, she has made vital contributions to Bob Dylan's Desire and Hard Rain albums, Dylan's World of John Hammond Special for NBC, his film Renaldo and Clara, and several cuts on Dylan's Biograph and The Bootleg Series.  Gene LaFond is a founding member of The Mere Mortals with the late Larry Kegan. Past gigs include opening for Bob Dylan, twice performing at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit Concert, opening for Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Kinky Friedman as well as numerous sold out shows over the years in the twin Cities. Gene's current band, The Wild Unknown, carries on the tradition of original music and classic rock, blues and folk rock music.  LaFond and Kegan were Bob Dylan's personal guests on tour annually for 15 years - including on various stretches of the Rolling Thunder Revue Tour. The Rolling Thunder Revue was a famed concert tour comprised of a traveling caravan of musicians, headed by Bob Dylan that took place in the fall of 1975 and the spring of 1976. The January 1976 release of Dylan's album Desire fell between the two legs of the tour.    The winners of the 2009 Elementary School Dylan Days Talent Show and the 2009 Dylan Days Singer Songwriter Contest will be invited to open the show.  Hurry, get your no-fee tickets today! Don't miss this opportunity to see musical legends perform live on the historic Hibbing High School Auditorium stage. This will be a once in a lifetime event and a whopping good time! Tickets go on sale Monday, February 2nd and are available by calling 1-866-420-1234 (toll free) or 651.209.6689.
Tickets available Online at: Ticketworks.com.

On Saturday, January 5th, a memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM at St. Peters Church
in New York City for Henrietta Yurchenco, a world-renowned ethnomusicologist,
who passed away in December. The church is located at 346 West 20th Street
(between 8th and 9th Avenue)

George Receli is interviewed in the July/August/September issue of Classic Drummer.
For more information, click here.

Hibbing's 2007 Dylan Days celebration will run from May 23-27. The featured musical performer> will be acclaimed folk and pop singer Maria Muldaur. For more information, click here.

J.J. Jackson, Bob Dylan's well liked, former guitarist, wanted me to remind everyone that he will be playing guitar and harp in the world premiere Twyla Tharp/Bob Dylan production of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" The Facinating musical event is directed and choreographed by the internationally renowned Twyla Tharp and set to the music of the legendary Singer/Songwriter Bob Dylan. The show will be at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park in San Diego and will run through next Sunday, March 19th. Showtimes are 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday and 8:00 PM on Thursday and Friday. There will be 2 shows on Saturday at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM and 2 shows on Sunday at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The production is scheduled to move to Broadway in the Fall. J.J. said it would be great to see everyone again.