WHAT: Queer Is Folk Festival III
WHERE: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
TICKETS: On sale NOW
Call (773) 728-6000 or TicketWeb at 866-468-3401. Tickets can also be purchased through
www.ticketweb.com . Visit www.oldtownschool.org for information.
Queer Is Folk Fest III w/Ferron, Sonia (of Disappear Fear), Sarah Dougher, Urban Folk
Collective, Dylan Rice with Chuck Panozzo (from Styx), Kitko, Bitch & Animal Hosted by Scott
Free
Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m.
$20 in advance/$22 day of show
Sponsored by: LaSalle Bank, American Airlines, Windy City Media Group, Steamworks,
Multiplex Clubs, Fausto.Org
In honor of June being Gay Pride Month, a stellar lineup of local and national have come
together for the Queer Is Folk Fest III. With the goal of fostering the idea of inclusiveness that
has always been an important part of the folk tradition, QIF celebrates the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender experience through music and the talents of the genre's most
promising singer-songwriters. Last year's QIF was featured on National Public Radio's All
Things Considered, and was covered extensively in the Chicago press. A portion of 'Queer Is
Folk Festival' ticket sales will be donated to the Gerber/Hart Library.
Ferron: For close to 23 years, Ferron has been recognized as one the finest songwriters in
North America. A Canadian who has lived and worked in the U.S. since 1987, her familiar
vernacular, direct statements, enlightened associations, warm, husky, voice, and engaging
stage presence have permitted identification with her experiences and her process, her
struggles and her wisdom, universal anguish and strength. Her first three albums all received
across-the-board critical acclaim, which included a 4-star rating from Rolling Stone for her
disc, Shadows on a Dime.
Sonia: Originally hailing from Baltimore, Sonia first came to prominence as one half of the folk
duo Disappear Fear. Since the late '90s, she has established herself as a bold and plaintive
solo artist whose songwriting is sharp and focused. In addition to the range of emotions—from
melancholy to exuberant—she displays in her songs, she also does shy away from tougher
social and cultural issues, including taking a stand against injustice and prejudice.
Sarah Dougher got her start in the healthy independent underground music scene of Portland,
Ore. As a member of Cadallaca, she shared stages with Corin Tucker, now of Sleater-Kinney,
before heading out on her own as a writer as well as a singer/songwriter. Making her mark
with the flair of a pen or a stroke of key, she has written for Willamette Week as well as the
San Francisco Guardian, to name a couple of the many publications she has written for. On
the musical side, she has recorded for K Records and Mr. Lady Records, with all of her discs
receiving accolades for their brutal honesty and balance of emotion and intellect. Sarah is also
one of the founding members of Ladyfest, a festival of music, art, spoken word, and film by
women that continues to grow in popularity.
Dylan Rice and Chuck Panozzo: Dylan Rice has quickly become one of the most promising
young singer-songwriters in Chicago. Fusing together elements of pop and folk, his insights
are poignant and earnest, without upsetting the delicate balance between sensitivity and
humor, seriousness and whimsy. Chuck Panozzo, best known as the bassist for the popular
rock band Styx, will join Rice. In the early '90s, Mr. Panozzo was diagnosed as HIV-positive.
Throughout the decade, and after much soul searching, he courageously stood up against the
disease. With a deeper appreciation for his own existence and those in his life, he has not only
returned to music, but has also become very involved with HRC and HIV/AIDS awareness
activities as well as gay rights. Panozzo stands as an inspiration to others gay, or straight, to
live a proud life.
Also performing are Urban Folk Collective and Kitko.
