ALAMOSA — Society Hall, the performance space, concert hall and community gathering place at 400 Ross Ave. in Alamosa, is proud to welcome back to Alamosa Ellis Paul, one of the best known and highly honored contemporary folk singer-songwriters in the country for a concert Sunday, December 3rd at 7 p.m. Joining Ellis will be Don Conoscenti, one of his best friends and a long-time Alamosa favorite. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available at the Green Spot in Alamosa or online at www.societyhall.org.

It’s hard to find words to do justice to Ellis Paul and his music. A tireless touring artist, he has criss-crossed the country and gone around the world sharing his powerful, brilliantly poetic songs for more than 25 years, recording 19 albums, having songs featured in several major motion pictures, winning multiple awards and legions of fans along the way. He’s become a staple at the Newport Folk Festival, played Carnegie hall, and venues from Alaska to Miami, Paris and London. Ellis is also no stranger to Alamosa and the San Luis Valley, having played several shows in the area over the years.

His music has also been shared with an even wider audience, through commercials, documentaries, TV shows and in the soundtracks of several blockbuster films, among them three by the Farrelly Brothers -- “Hall Pass” (starring Owen Wilson and Alyssa Milano), “Me, Myself, & Irene” (starring Jim Carrey) and “Shallow Hal” (starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow). Peter Farrelly summed up the sentiments of all those who have come to know and appreciate Paul’s music by referring to him as “a national treasure.”??

Not surprisingly, Paul’s consistently been heralded by others as well. One writer noted “that it reminds you how much we need storytellers back in pop music -- storytellers with empathy, fine eyes and an understanding that even though we live in a soulless, indifferent would, out music doesn’t have to reflect our culture.” Another reviewer was even more pointed. “Ellis Paul is one of the best singer/songwriters of his generation,” she commented. “And for many of us he is the face of contemporary folk music. Few are as smart, as literate, as poetic as Paul. I cannot think of another artist on the acoustic music scene is better loved by fans, or more respected by his contemporaries.”??

Indeed, he is all that, and in a very real sense, even more. He’s an observer, a philosopher, and an astute storyteller who shares with his listeners the life lessons he’s learned, and in turn, life lessons they ought to heed as well. By affirming and defining who he is, Ellis Paul affirms and uncovers the essence of us all.

As always, wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be available at Society Hall – where community celebrates!