Musician Rebecca Folsom returning to Volcano Art Center

After a sellout concert last year, guitarist Rebecca Folsom is coming back for another intimate acoustic performance from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 18 at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus.

Her music has been described as the soulfulness of Etta James, the abandon of Janis Joplin and a touch of folk songstress Joni Mitchell. An award-winning artist, she has performed on BBC radio and television, and at Nashville’s Bluebird, New York’s Bitterend and Red Rock’s Amphitheatre in Colorado.

Tickets are $25 or $20 for VAC members.

The Boulder, Colo., native writes inspiring tales about human heartbreak, redemption and freedom. She shares those songs with exquisite intimacy in a solo performance. Folsom said performing onstage is where she feels most comfortable.

“There is no place on Earth that I want to be more,” she said. “I’m happiest there; time flies there. It’s timeless, effortless and it brings me so much joy. My hope is always that it will bring other people joy, upliftment and awakening.”

Folsom also will lead “The Art of Vocal Freedom” workshop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 19 at the campus.

“Learn to sing and express authentically with ease and flow, tapping into your own personal vocal freedom,” Folsom said. “We will uncover and polish the beauty and power of your individual authentic voice.”

Attendees will be able to work/play with three artistic mediums. Cost for the workshop is $50 plus a $10 supply fee.

Folsom said working with students makes touring a much richer affair.

“The whole experience got deeper because rather than just showing up in a town, we are immersed in the community,” she said.

Volcano Art Center is a nonprofit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary and performing arts.

For more information about the concert or workshop, call 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.