The famous cellist Mike Block headlines SUNY-New Paltz’s Ridge String Fling on Sunday, October 27 at the McKenna Theatre. The Grammy Award-winning member of the Silk Road Ensemble has been called the “ideal musician of the 21st century” by Ensemble founder Yo-Yo Ma, who is something of a cello authority. Block has taken a lead role in the fusion of folk, pop and classical traditions, working with kindred spirits like the classical/roots violinist/composer Mark O’Connor and with pop eminences as well, including will.i.am, Stevie Wonder and Bon Iver. His show features a mixture of original compositions, arrangements of traditional folk music and classical selections. The cost is $8 for the general public; $6 for seniors and SUNY-New Paltz faculty, staff and alumni and $3 for students. Registration for the full day of Ridge String Fling offerings – which includes the 1 p.m. string improvisation workshop with Block, a ticket to Block’s solo recital and a Ridge String Fling tee-shirt – costs $20. Block’s improvisation workshop and chamber music master class (2:45 p.m.) will be held in the Shepard Recital Hall.
Ridge String Fling, Sunday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m., $8/$6/$3, McKenna Theatre, SUNY-New Paltz, www.newpaltz.edu/news
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