HESSTON — On Sunday at 4 p.m., musical duo Dala (www.dalagirls.com) will grace the Prairie Window Concert Series (PWCS) stage at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston. The concert will take place in the Prairie Pavilion at the Arboretum overlooking the lake.
Tickets are by reservation at http://dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/dala/ or by calling 620-327-8127. Cost of tickets is $25 for adults and $15 for children, plus tax. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s mission to cultivate transformative relationships between people and the land.
Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala write and sing in harmony best described as angelic. These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002; they have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world.
Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Walther’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Carabine’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark.
“There’s nothing pretentious about Dala’s music; it’s stripped down and laid bare. That’s not to say it is without polish – far from it. Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther have worked hard to exploit every facet of their extraordinary musical blend, and it would be just as at home in a 1960s coffeehouse as it is now on the contemporary concert stage”, says Andrew Craig, Host of CBC “Canada Live”.
The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. Dala are equally entertaining between songs, telling funny and down to earth stories that make every show unique. Dala have opened for artists such as Tom Cochrane, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at The New Orleans Jazz Festival, The Edmonton Folk Festival, California’s Strawberry Festival and Mariposa.
In addition to high quality acoustic music, the PWCS provides delicious savory and sweet food options during intermission, with a menu provided by Crust & Crumb Company. On March 15, the menu will include cheddar beer fondue with a pretzel sourdough boule, bangers and mash galette, matcha mint cheesecake and Irish mocha pie.
