Jay Ungar and Molly Mason’s Caffe Lena show Saturday is deservedly sold out, simplifying the otherwise tough choice folk fans would face between that show and singer-songwriter Anne Hills the same night at the Eighth Step.

Hills emerged in the same bustling 70s Chicago folk scene that nurtured the late, great John Prine and Michael Smith; both died in 2020. Like both, the strength of Hills’s art is clarity of expression in her writing, but she also sings with compelling beauty in her vocal sound, like Joan Baez and Judy Collins. Hills recently performed in “You Got Gold,” the Eighth Step’s Prine tribute, singing several of his songs, reminiscing about early days in Chicago and commenting on the documentary film “You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine.”

Anne Hills. Photo provided

Over a stellar career, Hills has proved both a compelling soloist and able collaborator with top contemporary folk heroes. With Tom Paxton and Bob Gibson in Best of Friends; with Cindy Mangsen and Priscilla Herman in TRIO; and with Mangsen, Steve Gillette and Michael Smith in Fourfold, she has harmonized with the best onstage.

Hills also performs heartfelt tributes, notably to Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs; and she brings songs of Michael Smith to the Eighth Step Saturday. Her new “Every Town” is her second album of Smith’s songs; of course it features ace collaborators including Gillette and John Gorka. Her 25 albums include numerous co-credits.

Al Powers. Photo provided

She sings with pianist Al Powers – see, another collaboration – Saturday at the Eighth Step at Proctors, in the cozy upstairs Addy Theatre, served by an elevator and wheelchair accessible. The nearby Broadway Garage offers free parking.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m., doors at 7 and onstage meet and greet at 6:30 with gold circle seating – admission $45. Otherwise, $28 in advance, $30 general. 518-434-1703 8thstep.org or through Proctors box office 518-346-6204.