Betse Ellis and Violet Hensley make up a special “Double Feature” at the Ozark Folk Center State Park Saturday, June 22. Betse and Violet will perform for the entire two-hour evening music show.

 

Renowned fiddler, Betse Ellis is a founding member of Kansas City “hillbilly riot” band, The Wilders. Adept at the difficult technique of singing while playing the fiddle, her on-stage sparkle and enthusiasm rouses the crowd. She gathers diverse music and presents it with humor, intensity, and love. Betse connects with her audience performing “old time/new time” material, drawn from traditional American (especially Ozark) fiddle tunes, old songs and spirituals, original tunes and songs, and a dose of her “personal old-time music.

Violet Hensley is one last of a breed of original Old Time Ozark fiddlers. Known as the “Whittling Fiddler,” the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” or more simply, the “Fiddle Maker,” Violet has been a fiddle maker and musician most of her life and was designated as the 2004 Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council. Violet was born on October 21, 1916 and followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician and fiddle maker for many years.

 

Regular admission charged ($12 for adults, $7 for children). Season passes are honored for this special evening. Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm.

 

Limited on site lodging is available. Please call The Cabins at Dry Creek for information, 870 269 3871.