Community News

     The Oswego Music Hall is pleased to bring two New York City-based singer/songwriters to its stage Sat., Jan. 25th at 8:00 p.m., both remarkable for their compelling voices and contemporary repertoires.

     Honor Finnegan has been called the "Susan Boyle of quirky indie folk, only hotter," and compared to Christine Lavine. Anna Dagmar stepped into folk music after a critically acclaimed songwriting career weaving together colorful jazz harmonies, inviting pop melodies and refined classical piano textures. Sharing the stage, they will create a wonderful and lively show that will surprise and stretch the folk music tag at times.

     Honor Finnegan and Anna Dagmar come from very different musical backgrounds, but they both know how to write and sing about modern life. Dagmar --British born, raised in Massachusetts, schooled at the Eastman School of Music--is influenced by classical composers, Joni Mitchell's mystical poetry, and the breathtaking piano improvisations of Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans. Finnegan -- raised in South Side Chicago, plugged in to her mom's radio station, cast in the first national tour of Annie at age 11 -- is influenced by her study of Improv in Chicago and years spent in Ireland singing in all sorts of bands: jazz, blues, big bands and Irish traditional.

     Here's how John Platt, host of "Sunday Breakfast," WFUV, NYC describes both of these artists:

     "In a world over-populated with guitar-playing folksingers, Dagmar is pursuing a different path – writing piano-based songs that evoke the best of Judy Collins or the musical theater."

     "Honor Finnegan's clever songs, powerful voice, and endearing stage presence have made her standout on the fertile NYC folk scene. Don't miss her!"

     Anna Dagmar is praised for her "gorgeous voice, lyrical piano stylings and lovely, intelligent songs." She has released three albums and a printed songbook. Her 2009 album, Let the Waves Come in Threes, charted #6 on the National Roots Music Report, and received five awards in the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest. Inspired by standout artists like Susan Werner, Jonathan Brook and Sufjan Stevens, Dagmar's music carries a depth and variety that appeal to a wide audience. With a warm and graceful stage presence and an honest and clear voice, her fingers seem to fly around the piano keys with effortless virtuosity.

     Honor Finnegan's songs are humorous and then heartbreaking, with melodies that soar. She's been making a splash in the northeastern regional folk scene with her original songs and her ukulele playing, instrumentation that suits her fun, upbeat songs. Combining elements of musical theatre, comedy, traditional folk, and poetry, "Honor is cooler than the other side of the pillow." She is also a proud member of Tribes Hill, a folk music collective based in the Hudson Valley and has been recognized with awards such as the Kerrville New Folk Winner 2013 and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist 2012.

     You can check out these artists' music at their websites, http://annadagmar.com/ and http://www.honorfinnegan.com/. If you enjoy a range of folk/pop music, from catchy and spunky to soulful and soaring, join the audience at the Oswego Music Hall on Jan. 25th at 8:00 p.m.

     The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street, Oswego. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Desserts, snacks, popcorn and beverages are available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://oswegomusichall.org/ or at the River's End bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego. Holders of tickets purchased before 1 pm on the day of the concert will have preferred seating. After 1 pm, seating will be general admission. Ticket prices for this event are $12 if purchased in advance and $14 at the door. Children 12 and under are half-price; under 5 is free.

     For the best deal-- lowest ticket prices and prime seating-- Season Passes and All-Season Passes are available and may be purchased at any show. For information contact Membership Secretary, Carol Forrest at 343-2988.

     The Music Hall's next concert Feb. 8th will bring back the popular father-son duo, Beaucoup Blue, double billed with Carolann Solebello, founding member of the female trio Red Molly. The Music Hall has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception, for over 36 years. Volunteers earn admission to shows through different tasks. Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the NYS Council on the Arts. For more information call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website: http://oswegomusichall.org/