His most recent effort, the sprawling 17-song folk tale My Name Is Buddy, revisits the Dustbowl ballad form and Depression-era road songs.

NPR: A Dustbowl Lament from an American Chameleon

The festival begins with Mr. Varone and the premiere of his dance "Mouth Above Water" (Feb. 22-24), a fractured take on a folk tale examining themes of love, murder and music.

WSJ: Culture City: Dressing Up and Stripping Down on 92nd Street