Frome-based, Bluegrass band the Buffalo Gals, are continuing their community involvement in the town, and have also announced that they will play their first home gig in nearly two years as part of the Frome Festival.
Previous projects have seen the band play fund-raising gigs, including on behalf of the Merlin Theatre, and the band’s fiddle-player, Kate Lissauer, also donated to local charities all the proceeds of her solo work from the ‘Banjo Babes’ CD and calendar.
Kate Lissauer said, “When the band members are not out on the road touring, we really enjoy being involved in the community of Frome and giving back to our wonderful town. It’s a real joy to live here.”
John Whelan, banjo-player for the Buffalo Gals, recently established the runaway new hit restaurant in town, Bistro Lotte. It is through this venture that the band and the bistro are now donating financial support to Fair Frome’s summer project, to help provide free food for local children.
“These can be very difficult, long weeks for families who normally receive free school meals,” John Whelan explains. “As a place that exists to provide food for those who can afford it, it seems only logical to involve Bistro Lotte with Fair Frome’s excellent work and provide something towards ensuring that the young people in the town don’t go hungry.”
In the meantime, the music plays on, as ukulele expert and song-composer, Sue Clare, has released a recording project featuring her original work; the band scooped the prestigious ‘Old Town Mountain Music CD of the Year’ award from the National Tradition Music Association during their recent tour of the United States. “Despite only one of us actually being American!” laughs Kate; and all six of the Buffalo Gals are now in rehearsal and preparing to appear at the Merlin Theatre performing their ‘Miraculous Medicine Show’ as part of the Festival.
Described as “a guaranteed cure for the 21st Century” this travelling show is mix of traditional and original music, song, Appalachian step dance, humour and stories from the old-time American heritage. Featuring the music of The Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams and Pete Seeger as well as their own original compositions, the band play fiddle, ukulele and banjo, plus singing in ‘high lonesome’ style, all punctuated with the stunning syncopated traditional Appalachian step-dance, or ‘flat-footing’, that has become one of their trademarks.
Led by funny lady Kate Lissauer and featuring dancer Sibs Riesen, the Buffalo Gals will be at The Merlin Theatre, 8th July at 7pm. Tickets bookable online merlintheatre.co.uk or on 01373 465949.
