Bluegrass and Irish string band at PAC
The Beef Tea Bluegrass and Irish String Band will perform at the Plymouth Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. as part of the Arts Center’s Wisconsin Performing Artists Concert Series.
In the tradition of PAC music gatherings, guests are invited to bring desserts, snacks or non-alcoholic beverages to share.
The Beef Tea band has been performing since 2004 and calls Sheboygan County home. Justin Gigstad, Eric Hudak, Dave Koebel and Court Ramaeker make up the group that is proud to boast the world’s only bluegrass rendition of Beethoven's 6th Symphony. Beef Tea considers bluegrass their forte and throws in Irish mixes for good measure.
Gigstad, on upright bass vocals, is a Sheboygan Falls native who also enjoys playing guitar and percussion. His hobbies include whitewater kayaking, downhill skiing, snowboarding and building tube amps in his spare time.
Hudak — fiddle, mandolin and vocals — grew up playing classical violin since. He started fiddling at 12, with his first show at the Wisconsin State Fair. He rediscovered his roots with Beef Tea and has branched off into vocals (something he never thought he'd do). Hudak is an engineer by day, fiddler by night.
Koebel — guitar, dobro and vocals — was born and raised on the guitar. He and his wife Laura own the Roots Acoustic Music store in Sheboygan Falls. Koebel has over 50 guitar students and repairs acoustic instruments by the truckload.
Ramaeker — banjo, mandolin, bouzouki and vocals — is undoubtedly the heart and soul of the band. Completely self-taught, he brings together the eclectic sounds of the banjo, mandolin, bouzouki and voice. Ramaeker’s full-time work is a Spanish schoolteacher in Plymouth.
Dave Williamson on guitar and Danika Williamson, vocals, round out the group.
Tickets for the concert are $7 adults in advance and $8 at the door, with free admission for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Arts Center at 520 E. Mill St. or by phone at (920) 892-8409. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
For more information or to request a schedule of events, please email paf@excel.net or visit the Web site: www.plymoutharts.org.
