Thor and Friends at Strings in the Woods

Schedule

Sun Mar 05 2023 at 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm

Location

Jester King Inn | Austin, TX

Enjoy a guided nature walk, meditation, and final concert featuring Thor and Friends
About this Event

Will guides you on a historical guided fiddle and nature walk, and we'll end with a meditation and concert as the sun sets.
At Strings in the Woods we help humans escape from the speed of modern life to feel alive and inspired with our acoustic music and nature immersion experiences.
Imagine being lead on a private musical hike by Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor, enjoying songs along the way as you explore a stunning nature preserve, with a sprinkle of meditation, history, geology, plant and bird identification.
Do you LOVE the ARTS, NATURE, sunsets and picnics?
Then this is for you.
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Event will be limited to 50 guests.
$30 in advance
$40 day of
(Those under financial challenges can apply to volunteer or pay sliding scale by texting +1 (512) 379-5934 or emailing [email protected])
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Info on the artists:Thor & Friends
Polymath percussionist Thor Harris inaugurated “Thor & Friends” in the autumn of 2015 after five years of touring as the percussionist of the iconic avant-rock ensemble Swans. The project is intended as a vehicle for experimentation with the conceptual vocabulary of American Minimalism collaborating with a rotating cast of Austin-based musicians.
A crafter of musical instruments and stylistic polyglot Harris is returning home with Thor & Friends and the resultant music is an elongated greeting and ode to his community, woodworking shop, and the instruments his hands shape and bring to life.
The ensemble's line-up expands and contracts with the flux of compositional and improvisational contexts. Thor & Friends draws on classic Minimalist composers, including Terry Riley and Steve Reich, but also amalgamates such diverse influences as Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Moondog, and The Necks around a polyrhythmic core of mallet-struck instruments, primarily marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone. Circling these core motifs are shifting streams of everything from processed pedal steel and analog synthesizer to violin, viola, stand-up bass, clarinet, duduk, and oboe.
The group also builds upon similarities and contrasts with Harris’ past projects and continuing collaborations; these include Swans, Ben Frost, Bill Callahan, Hospital Ships, Shearwater, and John Congelton. They embody utopian optimism by rooting their art and operation in both improvisation and the involvement of neighbors and friends in their process, making use of what and who is around at any given moment to make music with.Will Taylor
I've been a professional violinist and Austin music icon for over 20 years, jamming with folks such as Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Gary Clark Jr., Shawn Colvin, Shiny Ribs, Guy Forsyth, the Turtle Island String Quartet at Town Hall in New York City and so many more. I'm a lover of the outdoors and the magic of bringing people into nature for life-changing moments of connection and musical bliss. I have been a concert presenter for over 20 years and in 2006 produced a concert of the Beatles White Album that was broadcast on radio and drew over 1600 folks for two shows. You can learn more about me at StringsAttached.org, StringsintheWoods.com and about my love of community outreach through StringsAttachedCares.orgTestimonials
Alicia, February 2022
This was truly a unique and magnificent experience. Will is an awesome tour guide, he provided a nice history of the park, took us to some magical places, and provided live music along the way. Go on this tour! You won’t regret it!
Cassandra, April 2019
“Will took us on a musical journey in nature that was incredible and therapeutic. We had a small group and hiked along a trail that was fairly leveled due to one of the hiker’s physical condition. Along the way Will made sure all of us were taken care of and having a good time. We were later joined by another amazing musician/cellist Charles. The only downside to this trip is that whenever I’m hiking now I miss Will and his gang of musicians. I’ve been spoiled. Next time I will bring my teenage kids.”
Sarah, April 2019
“This was a unique experience, and I enjoyed combining music with nature. The fresh air along with soothing music, made me feel at ease and one with our group. Highly recommend, if you love the outdoors and love listening to live music.”
***Debbie, April 2019
“Unique experience connecting both to nature and to music. A quieter, reflective sidelight on the frenetic Austin tourist experience. Also, a chance to network with some area musicians.”
Event Photos