Woodwalk Gallery Presents Buckets of Rain II

Everyone knows a song or two of Bob Dylan’s – even if they don’t know it. “I first heard his songs through others – Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary,” admits musician and coordinator of the Woodwalk Concert Series Jeanne Kuhns. “Everyone remembers a Dylan song – they remember where they were, what was going on in their life, good or bad.”

In celebration of one of America’s most influential singer/songwriters, Kuhns and fellow musicians Katie Dahl, Rich Higdon, Eric Lewis, Patrick Palmer, and Tommy Burroughs presented five shows of Buckets of Rain in 2011. “They all sold out, people couldn’t get in and…I hope that happens again,” laughs Kuhns.

From left, Jeanne Kuhns, Katie Dahl and Eric Lewis perform Buckets of Rain in 2012. Photo by Len Villano.

Kuhns was inspired to put together the successful show after a conversation about Dylan and his tremendous influence with Dahl and Palmer at Joe Jo’s Pizza and Gelato in January of 2011. “While Jess [Holland] was playing we started talking about Dylan and how great he is,” recalls Kuhns. “The next day I went to a Super Bowl party and ran into Skye, she was making these panels with Bob Dylan’s lyrics. I was like, ‘This is a sign, we have to make this real.’”

The performers adorned Woodwalk with Skye’s fabric art panels featuring Dylan’s lyrics, each picked four Dylan songs to perform, and now look forward to showcasing more from Dylan’s 600 song repertoire.

“It’s really hard picking songs,” admits Kuhns, “there are so many different eras of Dylan. The thing I love about him is that he didn’t set out to be a social commentator, he didn’t set out to be an icon. He just wrote songs – brilliant songs that have so much to say. He can describe the world like no one else.”

Dylan, a Midwest native who is now 72-years-old, still writes music, still makes records. “He’s stayed relevant,” says Kuhns, “all his songs are relevant – in the middle of his personal angst he wrote about a culture. It’s a story of a life in songs. He’s covered the whole gamut. He’s a little hero for me.”

Dahl, Higdon, Palmer, Lewis, and Chris Irwin will join Kuhns on the Woodwalk stage to present six shows of Buckets of Rain II, Aug. 28 – 30 and Sept. 4 – 6. Other Door County musicians will also join the stage to showcase their interpretations of Bob Dylan’s songs – including Jess Holland and Nick Hoover on Sept. 5 and Seth Raddatz on Sept. 6.

“It’s really wonderful to put this group together, who do not often sing together,” says Kuhns. “It’s really fun to see how they interpret his songs – put their little spin on it, go with a different flavor. This is a fabulous experience.”

All shows from previous years have sold out, so call ahead to reserve tickets. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets are $15 check or cash. Woodwalk is located at 6746 County G, south of Egg Harbor. Call 920.868.2912, 920.495.2928 or email [email protected] for reservations.