Johnny Cunningham

by Mary Armstrong

Folk/world

What a reunion this will be! Fiddler Johnny Cunningham searched his memory and couldn't remember playing Philly even once in the last 10 years. Yet when he left the legendary Scottish folk band Silly Wizard for a life in the States, he made his home in this area for five or six years. Suffice it to say, many people miss his elegant playing -- he's among the world's finest -- and, even more, his constant joking. Both skills are happily intact. During a recent phone call, Cunningham revealed he was stretched out on a hotel bed somewhere in San Francisco, not knowing where he'd be playing that night. "It's like the magical mystery tour. I know I have to be in the lobby at quarter to six, from there it's, "Surprise!'" he chortled. Asked why he now chooses to split his time between Manhattan and New Bedford, Mass., he responded quickly, "I like a bit of whaling on the weekend." After the joke comes the truth: Cunningham writes best in a quieter place. Look for bits of poetry and prose at his Crossroads show on Dec. 4 (We're telling you early so you got no excuses!), along with hints from a forthcoming "diary of a mythical folk group from Scotland -- with names changed to protect the guilty." The poetry will be generously salted throughout the performance with longtime collaborator Susan McKeown. "We wanted it to be a song-sharing like you'd have at home." Right. As long as you remember that you are visiting a genius' home, you'll know what to expect.

Thu., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., $9-$14, with Susan McKeown and Aidan Brennan, Crossroads, Calvary Center, 48th and Baltimore sts., 215-729-1028, www.crossroads.calvary-center.org.