Palmer High grad celebrates new CD release

PALMER — The Valley’s own Emma Hill returns this weekend to play to homegrown crowds.

Folks can catch her act on stages around the Lower 48 and she’s even performed shows across the pond in Europe. But she’s back home in Talkeetna Saturday and in Palmer Sunday night to showcase her new album for hometown fans.

The Palmer High School graduate grew up in Sleetmute on the Kuskokwim, but had to move Outside to pursue her music career.

The biography on her Web page, emmahillmusic.com, says she got her start while still in high school performing in Alaska. She was part of Blackbird Productions and half of the folk duo Pennies and Patches.

She moved to Portland, Ore., in 2006, and since then has released four albums, including her new release, “The Black and Wretched Blue.”

Alaska songwriter Evan Phillips of the Whipsaws will join Hill on stage in Talkeetna at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., March 30. Cost is $16 for Denali Arts Council members at $18 general admission and tickets may be purchased online or at the door.

Palmer Arts Council is the sponsor of Hill’s March 31 performance at Vagabond Blues in Palmer at 6:30 p.m.

Local act “Gerygone & Twig,” which recently completed its debut album “Slee-Py,” set for release April 1, will open the show.

Hill said many of the songs included on her new CD made their debut their during past performances.

Tickets to the Palmer show are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and members of the military and are available at Vagabond Blues and Fireside Books.

For more information on Emma Hill, visit emmahillmusic.com, or for information on Evan Phillips, visit evanphillips.net.

Contact managing editor Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.