If you live in Southcentral Alaska and love folk music, chances are you’ve seen Mike McCormick up on stage, enthusiastically introducing a musician in his unmistakable New York accent. Over the past three decades, Whistling Swan Productions’ cofounder Mike McCormick has brought every caliber of musical act to Anchorage stages, from The Blind Boys of Alabama to Judy Collins to Dan Bern.
This Sunday, in celebration of Whistling Swan’s 30th anniversary, four veteran singer/songwriters will perform at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts while celebrating a 30th anniversary of their own. Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin will grace the Discovery Theater stage as part of a national “On a Winter’s Night” reunion tour, exactly 30 years after contributing to the now-classic album of winter music by the same name.
The four musicians are mainstays in the national folk music scene, with careers brimming with dozens of records, awards, media recognition and, of course, incredible songs.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk Movement,” John Gorka is a world-renowned musician whose early inspirations such as Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, and Shawn Colvin, quickly turned into peers as his music career flourished. Known for exceptionally insightful and relatable songwriting and an effortless singing voice, New Jersey-native Gorka has released 11 critically acclaimed albums and performed throughout North America and Europe.
Gorka met fellow musician Cliff Eberhardt when Eberhardt landed in New York City in 1978 and established himself as another influential figure in the New Folk Movement. A lifelong musician who grew up near the Main Point, one of the best folk clubs on the East Coast, Eberhardt was exposed at a young age to the music of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Mississippi John Hurt. After a short stint touring with his brother, Eberhardt ultimately landed in New York City in 1978, where he launched a career as a touring and recording artist. His profound lyrics and extraordinary guitar playing make him “one of the most talented musicians on the solo acoustic circuit.” (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Also a member of the New Folk Movement alongside Gorka and Eberhardt, Chicago-native Lucy Kaplansky has had anything but a straightforward career in music. With a doctorate in clinical psychology, Kaplansky gave up her private practice in New York City in the early 90s to pursue music full-time. Aside from releasing her own records, she has performed and recorded with a number of folk “supergroups” over the years including Red Horse with John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson, and Cry, Cry, Cry with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell. Kaplansky is “a truly gifted performer … full of enchanting songs.” (New York Times)
Described as a “drop-dead brilliant” performer by Performing Songwriter Magazine, Patty Larkin is truly a lifelong musician. Raised in a musical family, Larkin began experimenting with songwriting in high school and went on to study jazz guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her recording career spans almost four decades and 16 albums, with widespread acclaim and songs featured in films as well as sung by other musicians including Cher.
While Gorka, Eberhardt, Kaplansky and Larkin have performed in Alaska before, they have never performed here together. “On a Winter’s Night” will be a celebration for Whistling Swan, the performers, and the audience alike.“On A Winter’s Night” with Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin happens Sunday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Discovery Theater as part of Whistling Swan Productions’ 30th anniversary. Tickets are available via CenterTix.
This article was published in partnership with Arts Anchorage.
Emily Tallman of Arts Anchorage contributed to this story.
John Christensen is an Anchorage-based photographer, columnist, and creative who operates under the Candlewick Studios brand. He has written previously for the Anchorage Press.