A Storyteller and Virtuoso

“Traditions: The Storytelling and Music Festival” will continue Friday, showcasing John McCutcheon, one of country’s premiere acoustical artists.

McCutcheon will survey a variety of new-folk and traditional music during the second installment of the festival’s three performances. Friday’s concert will be held at Ventura’s Buena High School Auditorium.

A skilled instrumentalist, McCutcheon accompanies himself on acoustic and electric guitar, as well as on fiddle, banjo and piano. According to festival founder Brian Bemel, McCutcheon is at his best in front of an audience.

“The thing that makes him so special is that he is such a dynamic live performer,” Bemel said. “He captures the audience with his wonderful storytelling and musical capabilities.”

Among his other accomplishments, McCutcheon is considered to be a virtuoso hammered dulcimer player.

“A lot of people can play a lot of instruments,” Bemel said. “But few can play them all on a virtuoso level--John certainly can.”

Concert-goers should expect a wide range of musical genres from contemporary pop-folk to traditional Appalachian music.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Buena High School Auditorium is at 5670 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Tickets in advance--available at a number of area locations--are $10; $12 at the door.

Also lauded as a children’s performer (once receiving a Grammy nomination for a children’s recording), McCutcheon will perform for the whole family at 3 p.m. Saturday at the same location. Tickets are $6.50; $4.50 children ($1 more at the door).

For more information, call 654-6459 or 646-6997.