Musicians and speakers continue entertaining April at Wachholz College Center
Entertainment and inspiration continue during a packed lineup of events this month at the Wachholz College Center on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College.
Internationally acclaimed kora player and vocalist Sona Jobarteh performs on April 17. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Jobarteh's enchanting blend of traditional West African music and contemporary influences promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African Griot dynasties. Her lineage carries a formidable reputation for renowned Kora masters, most notable amongst these are her grandfather Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabaté.
Jobarteh is reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, her distinctive voice, infectious melodies and her grace onstage, and she has rapidly achieved international success as a top class performer.
The demand for Jobarteh’s live performances has increased in recent years, and 2019 saw her perform at some of the world’s most renowned festivals and venues such as the Hollywood Bowl in LA, WOMAD in Australia and New Zealand and Symphony Space in New York City, while also performing all over Europe, in China, Africa and Canada.
Jobarteh has the unique ability to touch audiences from all over the world and from all backgrounds and cultures, while also commanding the attention of sitting presidents and royalty alike. Her captivating stage show has proved to be popular everywhere, and with a repertoire that exudes accessible sophistication, her audience demographic is forever expanding.
As a vocalist, Jobarteh has featured in award-winning films such as the Hollywood movie “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “The First Grader” – the latter winning the “Discovery of the Year” prize at the Hollywood World Soundtrack Awards in 2012.
CLOSING OUT the month with a bang, on April 21, Hot Club of Cowtown and Tyler Hilton will take the stage to perform Elvis Presley's records from Sun Studio. This electrifying tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, combined with the musical talents of Hot Club of Cowtown and Tyler Hilton, guarantees an unforgettable evening of entertainment. The show begins at 7 p.m.
Award-winning Austin, Texas-based Hot Club of Cowtown may be the world’s most globe-trotting, effervescent string trio, whose joyful sound blends the traditional Western swing of the 1940s American southwest with European hot jazz influences of the same era.
The Hot Club writes its original songs and reinterprets everything from hoedowns to American songbook standards in its own, original style. The band includes guitarist Whit Smith, fiddler Elana James, and upright bassist Zack Sapunor.
From portraying Elvis Presley in “Walk the Line” and garnering a cult following as musician Chris Keller on the CW hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” to writing and touring with the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Joe Cocker, Tyler Hilton has enjoyed an award-winning career spanning music, film and television. Born and raised in California, Hilton grew up in a family of talented musicians who played for acts like Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison and Donovan. Performing with his family from an early age, Hilton became serious about songwriting at 14. At 15, he called into L.A.’s KLOS radio station to win concert tickets and ended up wowing the hosts with an on-air performance. The station made him a regular guest and helped launch his debut record, which caught the ear of Warner Bros. Records, who signed him to record his second album The Tracks of Tyler Hilton, earning him two Top 40 singles.
AS PART of the WCC Speaker Series, An Evening with Henry Winkler, acclaimed actor, producer, and author, will share his insights and experiences on April 24. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m.
Audiences always leave Henry Winkler's presentations inspired and entertained, according to a release. Through humorous anecdotes and inspirational life lessons about overcoming adversity to his storied career in television and entertainment, groups of all ages can learn from his speeches.
His passion for supporting others is the result of a lifetime struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia. Winkler has worked tirelessly to bring awareness and support to children who learn differently by advocating for changes in the education system and informing parents and teachers about learning challenges.
Winkler co-stars as acting teacher Gene Cousineau on the hit HBO dark comedy, “Barry.” In 2018, he won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role on the series. He also won the Television Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and received nominations for a Golden Globe and SAG Award. He was nominated again for an Emmy in 2019.
Winkler has enjoyed over four decades of success in Hollywood and continues to be in demand as an actor, producer and director.
Tickets for these events are available at wccmt.org or by phone at 406-756-1400.
Sona Jobarteh
Henry Winkler