WILLIAM ELLIOT WHITMORE + JIM WARD (SPARTA) Born and raised on a small farm in Lee County Iowa, a love of the land has always been an important part of William Elliott Whitmore’s life. An appreciation for nature and its cycles being taught from an early age. That awareness of birth and death is a constant theme in the songwriting, through a lens of hopefulness and acceptance. These things unify us as people, a theme that is often explored in the music. With a banjo, guitar and kick drum, Whitmore seeks to convey these ideas. For over twenty years he has traveled the world, performing everywhere from Rome, Italy to Rome, Georgia. He’s played basements, backyards, festival stages, and Carnegie Hall, and has no plans to stop anytime soon. “Life is hard, nasty, and unforgiving at times”, Whitmore says, “but it’s beautiful too, and music can be a reminder of what we all have in common, a desire to keep putting one foot in front of the other.” Presented by Hi-Dive. This is a 21+ event