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Monday, September 19, 2011

THE BARNYARD GETS ORIGINAL

(Jaspar Lepak & Rowan Stuart)

Fans of original music are in for a treat at The Barnyard Theatre when American folk/country songstress Jaspar Lepak teams up with poetic South African pop artist Rowan Stuart for one show only September 19.

After nearly two years of sharing her songs with audiences across KwaZulu-Natal, Lepak is heading back to her home in snowy Minnesota, but not before performing a final celebratory show with one of her favourite local songwriters at The Barnyard.

Since her temporary move to Durban in the spring of 2009, Lepak has been captivating audiences across the province with a remarkable gift for melody that is only surpassed by her poetry. Playful, intimate, heartfelt, and intense, Lepak’s lyrics expose a brave vulnerability as well as an art for storytelling while her clear, strong voice penetrates the heart. Accompanied by her husband Kale Lepak on accordion and local bluegrass band The Bandits’ Bryan Eaton on banjo, this clever nightingale’s boot-tapping, soul-stirring, acoustic-guitar-driven musings will draw your heart out onto your sleeve and make you want to keep it there.

Rowan Stuart has been impressing KZN audiences for years, and while he is no stranger to The Barnyard Theatre's stage as a session guitarist, this is the first time he will bring his original music to the venue. He is excited to share both new material along with old favourites such as Late Starter, Miles Away and She’s Music, which have all received radio-play across South Africa. Critics have described Stuart’s music as “a sound in a class of its own - soaring, lyrical vocals underpinned by virtuoso guitar work”, and with this year marking a shift toward more stripped-down live performances, Stuart brings the lyrics and essence of the song even more to the fore.

Lepak and Stuart have been performing shows together since the beginning of 2011 and, while their styles range from old-time country to pop rock and the blues, their commitment to the song is what makes their dual performances engaging, meaningful, and entertaining events. Their collaboration is a delight for all audiences and The Barnyard will provide a charming ambiance for these two captivating and intelligent

Tickets R100. Bookings and enquiries on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information. For further information on the artists, see www.myspace.com/jasparlepak and www.rowanstuart.com.