CSPS debut
-- Now in its fifth year, FODfest is a touring musical tribute to the life
and spirit of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was
murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002, at the age of 38.
FODfest is part concert,
part song-swap and part jam session. Musicians of all ages, backgrounds and
musical genres join together, often meeting on stage for the first time.
The CSPS show will feature SONiA of Disappear Fear, Minneapolis’ Erik
Brandt, teenage violin virtuoso Sam Weiser, Cedar Rapids singer-songwriter
Chrys Mitchell and more.
Grammy-nominated SONiA is well known for her energetic,
conscience-driven music tackling progressive issues. She formed Disappear
Fear with her sister Cindy Frank in 1987 before embarking on a solo career
and then reconvening the band in 2005.
Erik Brandt leads the award-winning Twin Cities-based Urban
Hillbilly Quartet, specializing in an eclectic mix of Americana styles. He
switches between acoustic guitar, wurlitzer and piano-accordion during
solo shows.
Cedar Rapids singer-songwriter Chrys Mitchell’s music ranges from
simple ballads to jazzy, up-tempo blues. He has released two CDs of
original songs and guitar and banjo instrumentals.
Sam Weiser is an award winning violinist in classical and
alternative strings. He is a highly versatile, teen string musician and
the first student ever to be accepted as a full double major in classical
and jazz violin at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music PreCollege
Division Program.
FODfest organizer musician, songwriter and producer Todd Mack will
also perform.
In addition to being a journalist, Daniel Pearl was a talented musician who
believed in the power of music to bring people together regardless of their
differences. A classically trained violinist and avid fiddler and mandolin
player, music was his way of connecting with people. Wherever he lived, he
was actively involved in the local music scene, and wherever he traveled he
sought out local jam sessions as a way to learn about the local culture and
community. FODfest's unique performance format is modeled around Pearl's
love of these informal jam sessions.
FODfest has grown considerably from its beginnings as an informal backyard
jam session to a multi-city, cross-country affair. The concerts are all
unique and feature musicians who knew Pearl personally, many playing music
with him while he was alive, and others who never knew him, but who connect
with his story and share Pearl's belief in music as a universal language of
peace and tolerance.
The tour has been organized by musician, songwriter and producer Todd Mack,
a former band mate and close friend of Pearl's, to honor his friend with a
legacy that reflects the ideals by which he lived, rather than the tragic
way in which he died. All FODfest concerts, which focus on building and
strengthening communities through the universal language of music, are free
and open to the public.
Sun Oct 25 | 7 pm
CSPS, 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids
Free | Donations welcome
