Music Notes-Violinist Set for Philadelphia
Pittsburgh City Paper-August 18-25, 1999
By Mary Binder
For all the difficulties in getting funding, there does seem to be an interest in, and an audience for, the arts, even arts of the more eclectic and edgier variety. At least that’s what organizers of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival have found. It’s only three years old, but last year more than 25,000 people attended the event.
The festival, with theater, music, poetry, dance and performance art, showcases “fringe” artists — ones who take chances and push the envelope in their respective fields.
Just like Lisa Miles, a local musician who performs original compositions for acoustic and electric violin and mandolin. Complex and atmospheric, her work is dissonant and multi-layered. Which may have been the reason why was selected for the festival, which takes place Sept. 15 and 16, 1999.
But before that, Miles performs with avant-garde harpist and composer Anne LeBaron on Sept. 3, 1999 , at the Millvale Industrial Theater. It should prove an interesting show all around – in addition to Miles and LeBaron, performers include Matula, L. Young, the Blue Sun Ensemble, ATS and Honeyburst.
Miles and LeBaron are also looking at a performance collaboration next spring in the sculpture garden at The Mattress Factory.
Miles has other projects to keep her busy, too. The Pittsburgh Foundation has granted her partial funding for The Journey of the Blue Woman, a cross-disciplinary piece, done with two other artists, which she will direct and produce.