Ben Folds will take the stage, not in a tutu but as a guest musician at the Ballet Ball, a glamorous black-tie affair to support the Nashville Ballet. The gala is Saturday, March 3 at the Schermerhorn Center in Nashville. Patrons who contribute $500 or more enjoy cocktails, dinner and a performance by the ballet, accompanied by Ben and The Civil Wars, a Nashville-based duo whose debut Americana/folk/alt-country album has been nominated for a Grammy. The gala is followed by an evening of music and dancing by the Pat Patrick Band. Tickets are also available at $95 to the Late Party, including cocktails and dessert while the high-rollers are dining, enjoy the performance and dance the night away. Get more information on the evening; tickets are on sale. (And who knows, knowing Ben, he just might wear a tutu after all.)
Announcements
Not really a show, but worth a mention
News on the reunited Ben Folds Five project
Ben Folds Five back in the studio
As you know, Ben Folds has reunited with his old bandmates Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge for a recording session, with the intention of releasing an album if things go well. Apparently, as you can see from the photo, things are going well – enough so, in fact, that not only is an album in the offing, but a tour as well. Dates and locations are being booked and firmed up, but expect to see an announcement shortly. They plan to continue recording into March, and then we’ll see what happens!
Update: The official schedule isn’t out yet but already one festival is announcing booking the reunited trio. Mountain Jam 2012, held in Hunter, N.Y. May 31-June 3, is promoting Ben Folds Five as one of its many acts. Tickets are already on sale.
Folds headlining Concert for Civility
Ben will be headlining the second annual Concert for Civility in Tucson, Arizona on January 15. The show is a major fundraiser for the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, which was founded by the family of Ron Barber. Barber is the district director for US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and was among those shot during the incident on January 8 in which the representative was severely injured and six others were killed. The fund supports nonprofit groups, schools and faith communities in efforts to combat bullying, improve respective discourse on public policy and awareness of mental health issues. Donations may be made online.
The concert, at Tucson’s Fox Theatre, features several local acts including Calexico. Tickets go on sale today (November 18) and prices range from $30 to $75. The top tickets include a reception with Folds and Calexico.
Further info in this story in the Arizona Daily Star by Cathalena E. Burch.
Related show
Hall of Famer Ben
Ben Folds has been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
In a ceremony held at the Hall of Fame in Kannapolis, N.C., on October 13, 2011, Ben joined other Tar Heel native musicians including country singer-songwriter Billy “Crash” Craddock, jazz/funk bassist Maceo Parker and songwriter John D. Loudermilk.
A story on the ceremony appeared in the Salisbury, N.C. Post.
Own a piece of Ben’s piano
The Nashville Symphony
One of the many positives to come out of last year’s tragic floods in Nashville has been increased awareness of the music scene in the Music City beyond its iconic country-western genre. Among the artifacts salvaged from the flood, albeit in an unplayable state, was Ben’s touring piano, locked away in Soundcheck Nashville, a storage facility serving the Nashville musician community, while the rising waters of the Cumberland had their way. Now that the piano has been recovered and dismantled, Ben has autographed its keys, and they will be sold to benefit the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s annual campaign, which supports arts education in Nashville. (more…)
