Elsa Howell is a ballad singer, songwriter and old time guitarist from Southwest Virginia. Raised in a musical family and steeped in the traditions of Appalachia, her passion for traditional balladry began at the age of eight, when she met Virginia ballad singer Elizabeth LaPrelle. Little did she know that, years later, she would be selected by the Virginia Folklife Program as Elizabeth's apprentice!
Elsa blends her traditional background with a love for poetry and old country music, and she has been highly praised for her strong, clear voice and confident delivery. She has been featured at the Richmond Folk Festival, The Mid Mountain Festival in Natural Bridge, The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D. C. While her focus is on traditional music, she also performs her own original songs. Elsa will be accompanied by her parents, Isak and Chris Howell. Isak, plays banjo, guitar, harmonica, and more. Their set will feature him playing several different unique instruments, like the shruti box and gourd banjo. Elsa’s mom, Chris will be on bass and sing harmony.
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm) Tickets $12.00 in advance/$15.00 at the door. Refreshments will be available. (Advance Ticket Sales End at 11:00 pm, Friday, October 24.)
