Floridis lines up benefit concerts

Missoula-based guitarist and singer-songwriter John Floridis along with cellist Jennifer Slayden and percussionist Ed Stalling will perform a series of concerts to benefit the Flathead Youth Home, Samaritan House and FAST Blackfeet nonprofits. 

The trio will perform material from Floridis’ two seasonal releases “December’s Quiet Joy” and “The Peaceful Season” both of which feature his fingerstyle acoustic guitar arrangements of traditional Christmas melodies and original compositions. In addition to original work, the group will perform pieces by artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Patty Larkin, Ben Harper and John Gorka. 

“The songs feature lyrics speaking to the journey from darkness to light, seasonally, emotionally and spiritually,” Floridis said in a press release. “The concerts welcome the audience to escape the frantic stress that too often pervades the holiday season and relax in an intimate listening environment with music to warm the heart and soul.” 

The benefit concert for Flathead Youth Home will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bias Brewing, 412 S. Main St., Kalispell. The benefit concert for Samaritan House is set for 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. The benefit concert for FAST Blackfeet is planned at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at East Glacier Community Center, 416 U.S. 2 in East Glacier Park. 

Floridis has performed benefit concerts across the state for 15 years, raising more than $150,000. His latest and 10th recording, “The Dimming Of The Day” follows the 2023 release of “Thankful.” He was recently named “Artist of the Year” by Arts Missoula and has been featured in an Emmy Award-winning episode of 11th and Grant on Montana PBS. He has also been the host and producer of “Musician’s Spotlight” on Montana Public Radio for nearly 30 years.  

For more information visit www.johnfloridis.com.