By BRIDGET COOK
CRANBOURNE Regional Uniting Church is preparing for a fun night of folk music when it hosts guitar virtuoso Ken Nicol for a special concert.
The church holds Folk Uniting Nights (FUN) on the third Saturday of each month at 7.30pm but is making an exception to the schedule on Sunday 4 May to fit in with Mr Nichol’s touring commitments.
Jose Garcia from the Cranbourne Regional Uniting Church said the concerts were great for the community and securing Mr Nichol, from the UK, was a great boon for the nights.
“As well as helping to fund-raise, the concerts allow the church to engage with the wider community, encouraging all to share their stories and talents, foster links and relations and provides a forum for young and old to perform, whether that be in music, dance, poetry or other related performance,” she said.
“The Ken Nicol concert is a special feature presenting his talents and also that of singer and songwriter Dominic Finlay, and a brief set by local band Journey Band.”
Mr Nicol is well known musician and is regarded as a guitar virtuoso.
His material covers the spectrum from blues to rock, effortlessly taking in folk, jazz, ragtime and ballads.
His career dates back to the early seventies and he remains a highly regarded guitarist among many of folk rock’s pioneers.
The concert will also feature a set from Dominic Finley – a British session musician, singer and songwriter. He is a former member of the ’80s multi-million sellers Cutting Crew, known for their number one hit I Just Died in Your Arms.
He has also released several solo albums and is an accomplished solo performer.
“It is not often that high calibre international touring artists stopover in Cranbourne to entertain,” Ms Garcia said.
“It is even rarer when they donate some of their income towards the church.
“I encourage those who like music and who would support the church’s mission to attend this special night.”
The concert will be held on Sunday 4 May from 7pm at 41 Lesdon Avenue, Cranbourne.
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online at www.cranbournefolkuniting.org.