PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS FOR ADULT AUDIENCES
Songs of the American Diaspora
A concert-lecture tracing the musical threads woven by African American, Appalachian, Irish, and Scots-Irish communities into the fabric of American folk tradition. Bluestein performs on multiple instruments throughout, connecting each tradition to the next with deep contextual knowledge. Suitable for arts series, universities, and cultural institutions. 60–90 minutes.
Sing Old Songs with Evo • Song of the Original Carter Family
The Carter Family was an American folk music group that recorded and performed between 1927 and 1956. Regarded as one of the most important music acts of the early 20th century, they had a profound influence on the development of bluegrass, country and other forms of American music. Think you can’t sing? Evo will help. 45–75 minutes.
The Autoharp in American Music
A deep-dive performance and presentation on the autoharp’s central role in American traditional music — from the Carter Family to the present. Bluestein is one of the country’s foremost Appalachian-style autoharpists and a co-founder of the California Autoharp Gathering. Ideal for folk festivals, instrument museums, and folk arts programs. 45–75 minutes.
Traditional Dance and Its Roots
A participatory performance combining calling, live music, and contextual narration — English country dance, contra dance, and square dance — with the cultural history of each tradition. Evo sings, plays, and calls simultaneously. Suitable for community events, university programs, and arts education series. 60–90 minutes.
A Living Archive: Folk Music of the 20th Century Revival
Drawing on a childhood spent in the company of the folk revival’s central figures — Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie, Elizabeth Cotten, BessieJones — Bluestein offers a first-person account of the music and the era, interwoven with performance. Ideal for American Studies departments, folk music series, and cultural history programming. 60 minutes.
Available for university arts series • folk festivals • cultural institutions • museums • lifelong learning programs • arts councils
SELECTED TESTIMONIALS
“Thanks for your programs — always a success with museum
visitors. They like the variety of instruments and musical styles in
your repertoire.” — June Anderson, California Academy of Sciences
“Evo presents a great musical experience. More than a performance, more than educational — a terrific balance of the two.” — Scott Jacobs, Concord, CA
“You brought a wonderful dimension to my study of folklore. I was skeptical about listening to a folklorist — little did I know what a treat was in store.” — Prof. Lorayne McKelvy-Morris, California State University, Fresno
“Everyone is still glowing from a full weekend of traditional music. Your name has become a household word.” — Bob Mueller, Millpond Festival, Bishop, CA
RECOGNITION
• Valley Music Hall of Fame Inductee, 2024
• Autoharp Hall of Fame, 2009
• Lifetime Achievement Award, California Autoharp
Gathering, 2009
• Co-founder, California Autoharp Gathering Festival
• Founding President, Fresno Folklore Society
• Radio host & producer: KVPR, KFSR, KFCF
• Performed at: Ozark Folk Center, Sonoma Bluegrass Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Millpond Festival, Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
INSTRUMENTS
Autoharp • Fiddle • Banjo • Guitar • Button accordion • Mandolin • Dulcimer • 14 instruments total
BOOKING
Fee range $1500 – $3500 depending on program and travel
Technical requirements
PA system, microphone stand, small performance area. Full tech rider available on request.