Ellis

Folk artist Ellis will be back in Fort Wayne this weekend, bringing stripped-down versions of her introspective acoustic music to The Dash-In. The Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter started touring professionally in the mid-’90s, performing at least 120 shows a year, many at national folk music festivals. Her last gig in Fort Wayne (a fundraiser for Fort Wayne Pride) was four years ago, and she’s itching to return, she says.

"Ellis's stage presence is beyond compare, and one of the people at our table remarked that you could probably "turn off the stage lighting and still see her." Ellis positively glows in performance and "gives everything" in the words of another notable singer/songwriter who was sitting with us."

"Folk" doesn’t do Ellis justice. Her style, while cleanly elegant, is quite difficult to categorize, as it incorporates elements of country, rock and pop.

"The flavor of Ellis is a lush, moody orchestra of folk and pop: Beth Orton meets Patty Larkin."

Twin Cities singer-songwriter Ellis, with a strong following in rock and folk music, debuts as an actor playing Babe. She takes on musical theater with real authority, from brash songs like “Whole Damn Team” and “Winnin’” to the longing of “I Wanted To Give You Norway.” Ellis also proves she can act!

"Ellis effectively conveys songs filled with love and the longing for it, baring her soul and demonstrating a vulnerability that makes Break the Spell easily her most compelling attempt yet."

"Break the Spell is a cathartic, intimate, and ultimately transcendent modern folk record. It's not trendy, or groundbreaking, or particularly adventurous. What it is is very, very real. It gets to you the way you crave a record to get to you."

"Ellis walks on stage, flashes a bashful grin and does what she does best: singing her heart out every single time. She has a lovely voice, guitar chops and a graceful songwriting style; however, there is something about her live performance that is transformational. The sum is greater than the parts, and she is amazing."

"All I know is she definitely makes a great record, builds a mean song, wields a wicked acoustic guitar, sings fluently with an unpretentious conviction that transcends ego as much as it elevates it."

"Ellis isn't your grandparents' folk singer. She doesn't hop freight trains or sip corn liquor from an old canteen. She's more into updating her Web site or MySpace page. Or meditating."