Faulkner Center Presents Ruthie Foster Featuring U of A's Inspirational Chorale

Photo by John Carrico

Singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Award-winning singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster is bringing her unique blend of folk, blues, soul, rock and gospel to the University of Arkansas’ Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center Jan. 29-30.

Foster’s performance, “Ruthie Foster featuring the U of A Inspirational Chorale,” will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. This performance is presented in association with the Walton Arts Center and the 2019 Black Music Symposium Week.

Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased at faulkner.uark.edu or by calling the Box Office Monday through Friday between 1:30-5 p.m. at 479-575-5387.

Additionally, Foster will host two workshops that are both free and open to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The first, “Evolution of Black Folk Music in the United States,” will be from 1-2 p.m. at the Faulkner Center. Foster will talk about the evolution of Black folk music as a whole, the evolution of her own style, and end with an open Q&A.

Her second talk, “Finding Your Own Style While Maintaining Integrity of the Roots in Black Folk Music,” will be from 5-5:45 p.m. at the Faulkner Center.

Foster hails from the tightly-knit musical community of Austin, Texas, and has performed with Bonnie Raitt, the Allman Brothers and Susan Tedeschi.

Her latest album, Joy Comes Back, described as “some folk, some blues, some soul, some rock, some gospel,” illustrates Foster’s genre-spanning talent. Foster has been nominated for three Grammys, and has won multiple Blues Music and Austin Music Awards, plus the Grand Prix du Disque from Académie Charles-Cros in France.

About the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center: The Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center is a 500-plus seat state-of-the-art venue dedicated to providing a community-centered approach to the performing arts. In addition to hosting acclaimed artists and performers, the Faulkner Center is also home to the University of Arkansas music department's large ensembles. With an impressive offering of renowned performers and culturally relevant events, the Faulkner Center excels in its mission of contributing to education and excellence, helping build a new generation of artists and patrons.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.