The Folk Project Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Vance Gilbert and Katie Dahl with Rob Hecht

If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert” (Richmond Magazine)… with “the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). This consummate songwriter’s influence can be felt all over the folk and Americana realm, with 14 albums to his credit and appearances from the Newport Folk Festival to Nashville’s Lyman Auditorium to Boston’s Symphony Hall. Vance toured with Shawn Colvin and has been the opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, Paul Reiser, and George Carlin.

Katie Dahl channels her wry wit and wise spirit into what Dar Williams called “The very best kind of songwriting”; she delivers “razor-sharp lyrics with a hearty, soulful voice” (American Songwriter). In live shows that are both courageously honest and devilishly funny, Katie dives deep into questions of land and love, family and body image, grief and joy, navigating the muddy waters between the personal, public, and political with tenderness and dexterity. Katie is the 2025 winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition and was named “Most Wanted to Return” at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase.

There’s a reason Robby Hecht’s songs have been recorded by more than 70 other artists and reached more than 25 million streams. “Intimate and introspective” (USA Today), “Artfully constructed…pitch-perfect,” (The Wall Street Journal), “Songwriting of the highest quality” (The Telegraph). But wait until you hear him live! With a insightful lyricism, memorable melodies, and a voice that carries both strength and tenderness, he takes his audience on a contemplative journey through the landscapes of the heart and mind.