MUSIC: Folk, rock hillbilly, pop combine at Clark Art on April 1

The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute's winter concert series "From Woodstock to Somewhere Near There..." features Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams in the last concert of the series on Saturday, April 1 at 8 pm. The Clark's auditorium has been filled with the soulful rock of the young singer/songwriter Jess Klein and the ageless folk tunes of Richie Havens, and welcomes the whimsical blend of folk, rock, hillbilly and pop of Murphy and his eclectic group. This series celebrates the diverse sounds of nearby Boston, Woodstock, and the Hudson
Valley. Tickets are $18 ($12 for members and students). For tickets, call the Clark's box office at 413-458-0524 or stop by the museum shop during regular hours.

Formed in 1998 in Sleepy Hollow, NY, the band has toured the Northeast, sharing the stage with Greg Brown, Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams, The Nields, The Kennedys, Fred Eaglesmith and other luminaries of the folk/alt-country circuit. Featured in Relix Magazine and on the television show Joan of Arcadia, this foursome's charismatic live performances and whimsical blend of folk, rock, hillbilly and pop have captivated all-ages audiences, defying the concept of a generation gap.

Their 2004 release "Flapjacks from the Sky" garnered a five-star review from Roots Music Report. The New York Times wrote "Gandalf Murphy's repertory is filled with lively songs imbued with mystical stirrings and idealism suggestive of the '60s."

The Clark is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (daily in July and August). Admission is free November through May. Admission June 1 through October 31 is $10 for adults, free for children 18 and younger, members, and students with valid ID. For more information, call 413-458-2303 or visit www.clarkart.edu.