The Outskirts Trio is a dazzling ensemble of women who invite you to take a musical trek off the beaten track. Their eclectic repertoire of both vocals and instrumentals features contemporary, original and traditional folk music appealing to all ages. They accompany themselves with a myriad of instruments including hammered dulcimer, guitar, banjo, harp, accordion, flute, bass and whatever else they can squeeze into their cars. At a Garrison Keillor variety show with songs about the dairy area, Garrison announced them "a hit!" and couldn't resist singing along with them.
Outskirts compile songs for their programs drawing from their own happy to hassling experiences as three distinct women, who literally live on the outskirts, in rural Dodgeville, Mazomanie, and the upper peninsula of MI. Each of the three women who make up Outskirts are strong performers in their own right entertaining audiences all over the Midwest using their own unique talents. Joining forces, they create a warm and powerful mix of vocals and instrumentals. Outskirts first performed together in 1991 on a tour around Wisconsin called Sugar Spice and Sparks. That production, created by Corinne Rockow, depicted some of Wisconsin's most influential women told through story and song. Dave Peterson, professor of Theatre/Music and director of Heritage Ensemble programs says:
"Performing as a trio they bring an amazing variety of skills to their presentations, along with glorious three part singing. As a folk group they are without peer in my experience, and that extends to any level of professional ensembles on the current folk scene. Poignant ballads, sprightly comedy, dazzling instrumentals, they've got it all."
Their infectious enthusiasm will warm your heart and charge your battery!
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