Nostalgia was in the air at the Black Rose Acoustic Societyís Annual Christmas Concert at the Black Forest Community Center Dec. 9.Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire of the band ìAcoustic Eidolon,î along with Celtic harpist Thomas Loefke, took the 186 members of the audience on a musical journey around the globe.ìThis is like coming home. This audience is as near and dear to my heart as any,î said cellist Alkire, who is married to Scott.Scott performs on his own custom-designed double-neck guitjo ñ a banjo and guitar hybrid. The double-neck guitjo has 14 strings that Scott plays simultaneously, a technique he mastered. Alkire was classically trained with G. Magyar of the Hungarian String Quartet.The Colorado-based ìAcoustic Eidolonî toured Europe, and on their 10th wedding anniversary performed two concerts in Norway in 2011. They collaborated for the past 10 years, creating the ìFriends across the Oceanî CD.The couple performed and toured with Loefke for nine years. Loefke is from the Black Forest of Germany, lived in Black Forest, Colo., and now lives in Berlin, Germany.Loefke also joined the guitar cello duo on several tours, including Norway. He has won international awards for his Celtic harp artistry and has released several CDs. He also tours Europe with his group, ìNorland Wind.îìIn the second to the last concert in Norway ñ five hours North of Oslo ñ it was so cold that you could see your breath,î Loefke said.The society, a nonprofit organization, is in its 16th year ñ a part of the proceeds from the concerts go toward two scholarships. Jennifer Springer, Acoustic society spokeswoman, said they have 468 members and offer classes as well.Another concert featuring Tom Rush will be held at the community center at 6 p.m. Feb. 12. For more information, visit http://blackroseacoustic.org.
