An artist and practicing weaver, Maryann Talia Pau is the founder of the “One Million Stars to End Violence” project, in which Lotus is a “Star Weave” partner. Pau -- who was born in Samoa, grew up in New Zealand, and now lives in Australia -- makes breastplates and...
Quinten “Lotus” Dickey (1911-1989) was one of our state’s most important tradition-bearers for both the song and fiddle music of southern Indiana, specifically Orange County. He was also known for his openness to all people and all cultures, a welcoming spirit that...
From barn dances to jazz clubs, concert halls, and festivals, Lautari explores the living traditions of Polish folk music. The ensemble learned their repertoire from a combination of village musicians and works of 19th-century folklorist Oskar Kolberg. Lautari...
Germán López comes to Lotus from the Spanish Canary Island of Gran Canaria off the coast of Africa. Germán is an accomplished artist on the timple, a small five-stringed instrument unique to folk music of the Canary Islands (and related to South American instruments...
Fiddle River Stringband delights audiences with high energy traditional dance music, original old-time songs, flatfooting, and percussive dance. The fiddle-driven quartet features Ohio’s Bob Lucas and Chris Westhoff (of Mad River Theater Works) and Bloomington’s...
The musicians and dancers of Fendika come from Addis Ababa and draw deeply from the well of Ethiopia’s azmari music, a tradition developed by itinerant bards. The seven-member group includes two dancers, two singers, and instrumentalists who play kebero drums, masenko...
This trio of Patagonian women write and sing diverse songs in exquisite harmony to deliver an unforgettable theatrical stage performance. Hailing from the tiny mountain town of San Martin de los Andes, Fémina is made up of two sisters and their best childhood friend:...
Founded in 2004, the seven-members of the brass ensemble Federspiel (“feather game”) were students at Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts. With a sound that takes listeners on an eclectic musical journey through folk, world, traditional, and even pop,...
Clint Bear started building acoustic guitars in 2001 after almost 35 years of playing, repairing and tinkering with electric and acoustic guitars. His lutherie skills evolved from woodworking skills honed during several decades in homebuilding, remodeling, and cabinet...
Bruce Taggart is a mandolin builder, fiddle builder, banjo neck maker, and an instrument repairman. “I started as a musician interested in banjo but couldn’t afford a real fancy instrument,” he recalls, “so I built one. The Earl Scruggs book How to Play Bluegrass...