MAGIC FOREST--Free Reed and String Dance Ensemble

Individually and collectively, the musicians of Magic Forest have performed folk music for more years than they care to admit. Seasoned musicians all, Tom & Carole Norulak and Jan & Dennis Kempthorne-Snow first joined forces in 1994. Their eclectic mix of traditional folk songs, modern material, clever originals and vocal gems mined from the parlour tradition of the 19th century has won applause in such venues as the Cuyahoga Valley Dulcimer Festival, Southern Michigan Dulcimer Festival and Delmont (PA) Apple and Arts Festival. Rendered with compelling four part harmonies and more than a little good humor, their solid vocals are complemented by a wealth of instrumental resources including accordion, piano, acoustic bass, two hammered dulcimers and too many guitars. Also renowned as a contra dance band, the quartet regularly lends its high energy sound to dances in the Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas, playing traditional Celtic, Appalachian and New England-style dance tunes, with an occasional filling of exciting Eastern European flavor their fans have dubbed "contradanski."