Photo by Scott Preston
Words from Abigail:
“In November & December 2011 I headed to China to tour the historic Silk Road that Marco Polo made famous centuries ago; the major trade route of the ancient world. Accompanied by the finest US musicians and humans you could meet, “The Village” toured from Hohhot to Urumqi, stopping to perform and collaborate all along the way with only the goal of building bridges and dissolving difference by communing in good music. Supported by the US Embassy and the Chinese International Center for Exchange, we performed extensively at schools, universities & theaters, and spontaneously on city walls and in town squares all across China’s “Wild West”. We also collaborated with amazing local musicians all along the route including Han Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Hui and Uyghur musicians. With 12 videos (2 on National Geographic World Music), photo albums for every stop, and a map of our route along the Silk Road, we invite you to join us on the journey right here!”
The Village is Abigail Washburn (banjos & vocal), Kai Welch (keys, trumpet, guitar & vocal), Jamie Dick (drums), Jared Engel (bass), Ross Holmes (fiddle), Brittany Haas (fiddle), Cain Hogsed (sound man), Luke Mines (videographer and editor).
Abigail, as a 2012 TED Fellow, will be a featured speaker and performer at this year’s TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design), the nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. According to TED, this year’s program includes a range of explorers, storytellers, photographers, scientific pioneers, visionaries and educators from all parts of the globe. Themed “Full Spectrum,” TED2012 will take place from February 27 through March 2 in Long Beach, CA.
The full Silk Road video series:
http://www.abigailwashburn.com/website/silk-road-tour-2011/
Abigail Washburn 2012 Tour Dates
Jan 31 – Solana Beach, CA / Belly Up Tavern (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 1 – San Juan Capistrano, CA / The Coach House (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 2 – Los Angeles, CA / Avalon (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 3 & 4 – San Francisco, CA / The Fillmore (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 6 – Petaluma, CA / Mystic Theatre (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 7 – Portland, OR / Roseland Theater (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 8 – Eugene, OR / McDonald Theatre (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 9 – Seattle, WA / Neptune Theatre (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 10 – Vancouver, BC / The Commodore Ballroom (w/ the Jayhawks)
Feb 11 – Victoria, BC / Club 9One9 (w/ the Jayhawks)
March 7 – 26 / Australia
March 31 – Los Angeles, CA / The Getty
April 1 – Portland, OR / Mississippi Studios
April 3 – Seattle, WA / Tractor Tavern
April 5 – Savannah, GA / Savannah Music Festival
April 6 – Athens, GA / The Melting Point
April 7 – Nashville, TN / 3rd & Lindsley
April 11 – Lexington, KY / Natasha’s Bistro
April 12 – St. Louis, MO / Sheldon Arts Foundation
April 13 – Carmel, IN / The Studio Theater
April 14 – Chicago, IL / Old Town School of Folk Music
April 17 – Huntsville, AL / Merrimack Hall
