As has become a seasonal tradition, Live from the Divide will host a special benefit show on Friday, December 5th, featuring John Floridis & Friends. Proceeds from the evening will directly support the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Joining the singer/songwriter will be percussionist Ed Stalling and cellist Jennifer Slayden, along with special guest Cade Slayden of North Fork Crossing. Music begins at 8pm.
The trio will perform material from Floridis’ two seasonal releases December’s Quiet Joy and The Peaceful Season, both of which feature his fingerstyle acoustic guitar arrangements of traditional Christmas/Winter melodies, as well as original compositions. They’ll also include seasonal vocal tunes, both original and by other artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Patty Larkin, Ben Harper and John Gorka in the performance. The songs feature lyrics speaking to the journey from darkness to light, seasonally, emotionally and spiritually. The concerts welcome the audience to escape the frantic stress that too often pervades the holiday season and relax in an intimate listening environment with music to warm the heart and soul.
Floridis has been performing benefit concerts across the state for 15 years, raising over $120,000 in total. He’s a 30-year Missoula resident and has been recognized as one of the state’s most popular and respected musicians, having performed in a variety of venues, festivals and concert halls in support of his ten independently released albums. Floridis was recently named “Artist of the Year” by the prestigious Arts Missoula Awards and has been featured in an Emmy Award winning episode on 11th & Grant on Montana PBS. He is also the host and producer of Musician’s Spotlight on Montana Public Radio which received its fourth “Non Commercial Program of the Year” award from the Montana Broadcasters Association and Live from Home as well on Montana PBS.
Benefit tickets are $35 and available in advance at www.livefromthedivide.com where you can also find a complete list of upcoming shows. The Live studio is located at 627 E Peach St. in Bozeman. •
