Free State Festival presents Janis Ian: Breaking Silence Film Screening + Tribute Concert
Schedule
Wed, 25 Jun, 2025 at 06:30 pm
Location
940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS, United States, Kansas 66044 | Lawrence, KS
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Free State Festival presents a screening of the new documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence followed by a tribute concert helmed by Kirsten Paludan in partnership with the Lawrence Music Alliance.Come early for a 5pm Happy Hour hosted by the Lawrence Music Alliance! (Cash Bar).
ABOUT THE FILM
At the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-1960s, teenage singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s hit song about an interracial relationship, “Society’s Child,” launched her illustrious career but also ignited controversy. Over the next six decades, Ian jammed with Jimi Hendrix, partied with Janis Joplin, and played duets with Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. But she also had to work to overcome the stigma of her debut, homophobia, record industry misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to draw large audiences around the globe. With access to Ian’s incredible body of music, her vast archive, family, friends, famed collaborators, and music journalists, this in-depth documentary balances the intimacy of a home movie against a sweeping historical and contemporary context.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Musican/actress Kirsten Paludan has been performing in the regional music/theater scene for over 20 years. She currently fronts four bands and has been critically recognized for her ‘genre defying’ voice, garnering three nominations from the Pitch Weekly for Best Female Vocalist. Paludan has sung with Sheryl Crow and Alejandro Escovedo, among others, and performs her own compositions, country & western hits, musical theater, jazz, and modern classics with equal aplomb and dedication. As a songwriter/composer, she has released two full length albums and one EP and has helped score several films.
Music Lineup:
Kirsten Paludan (band leader) vocals, acoustic guitar
Karin Paludan-Sorey (guest artist) vocals
Aud Whitson (guest artist) vocals, guitar
Benjamin Cartel (guest artist, band) vocals, guitar, drums
Nate Holt (band) keys, accordion
Juliana Wamelink (band) backing vocals, keyboard
Braden Young (guitar, bass, backing vocals)
Mike Alexander - (lead guitar)
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Where is it happening?
940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS, United States, Kansas 66044Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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