A toe-tapping type of piano music that first became popular in the early 20th century will draw audiences again this weekend in central Iowa. The town of Randall is hosting its 22nd annual Ragtime in Randall concert series. Ellis Anderson, of the Randall Fine Arts Council, says one particular popular pianist will be returning to the festival.
He says Robert Lien, who teaches at the Drake University School of Music, will be back to perform for his 22nd straight year as a featured artist. Anderson says another one of the star attractions this weekend in the Hamilton County community is a teenager from southwest Iowa. He says Adam Swanson, of Shenandoah, is 17 now and only started taking lessons when he was 10 and took a real shine to Ragtime.
He played his first festival at age 13 and released his first CD that same year. Since then, he’s played at ragtime festivals all over the U.S. and in Europe. Anderson gives a rundown of the schedule of activities to be held in Randall.
Young artists from the area will be featured during the festivities taking place today (Saturday) and Sunday at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. For more information, visit: “www.ragtimeinrandall.org”.
Contributed by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City