Dar Williams Returns to 'Mortal City' with 20th Anniversary North American Tour

August 23, 2016

Dar Williams Returns to 'Mortal City' with 20th Anniversary North American Tour

READ TIME: 3 MIN.

This fall, Dar Williams will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album, "Mortal City," with a North American tour where Dar will be performing the album in its entirety for the first time. The dates will bring Dar back to many of the cities and communities which she first experienced in 1996 -- to reconnect with the intergenerational fans that were amongst the first to embrace the singer.

Dar handpicked notable authors, writers and poets in each city to open with readings on select dates. Jennifer Weiner author of "In Her Shoes" and "Good in Bed" will read in her hometown of Philadelphia and David Levithan of "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" will read at City Winery in NYC amongst others.

Returning to "Mortal City" will be a "window back in time to see where this country was twenty years ago... seeds were planted in the '90s that have grown to fruition now," Dar states of the impetus behind this tour. "Seeds that allow us to look at each other as exciting people in an exciting time -- in terms of gender freedom, religious freedom, regional identities and ways of identifying ourselves in our communities as participants. It's really positive growth.

"There's more racial diversity and our kids are experiencing the rainbow as we are working towards racial justice. Twenty years later, I am seeing a much more vibrant landscape across our country. Our job is to get out there and show that the happiness that we've found in diversity is something we can share."

"Authors and poets show the strengths of our democracy," Dar explains on her choice to include writers as support on this run. "These are people who have connected the mortal city through words and poetry and the sharing of beautifully expressed ideas. The people who are coming to speak represent that strength: the strength of our democracy through its culture. They all embrace democracy in different ways... the pen being mightier than the sword."

Don't Miss Dar Williams On Tour this Fall!

(*Denotes NON "Mortal City" Dates:)

*9/03 - Kinderland Arts & Activism Festival - Tolland, MA
*9/10 - North Appalachian Folk Fest - Indiana, PA
9/22 - 9/24 - City Winery - New York, NY - w/ authors David Levithan & Hendrink Hertzberg
9/29 - Somerville Theater - Somerville, MA
9/30 - Academy of Music - Northampton, MA - w/ author Alix Olson
10/01 - One Longfellow Square - Portland, ME - An Evening With
10/06 - Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT - w/ author Michael Cervas
10/07-10/08 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA - w/ author Jennifer Weiner
*10/09 - The Festy - Arrington, VA
10/20 - Eddie's Attic - Atlanta, GA
10/21 - The Evening Muse - Charlotte, NC
10/23 - City Winery - Nashville, TN - Minton Sparks
11/11 - Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series - East Lansing, MI
11/12 - King Arts Complex - Columbus, OH - w/ author Harvey Wasserman
11/13 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH
11/16 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN
11/17 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago, IL - w/ author Kevin Coval
11/18 - Barrymore Theater - Madison, WI
12/02 - 12/03 - Birchmere - Alexandria, VA - w/ authors Barry Lynn & Beth Macy