Wide-ranging acts, from electric harpist Deborah Henson-Conant to folk
icon Tom Rush, highlight the season lineup at Plymouth State
University’s Silver Center for the Arts.
The 2009-2010 Silver Series for the Performing Arts leads off Thursday, Sept. 17, with Rush, known as much for engaging his story-telling prowess as his melancholy ballads and gritty blues. Rush’s 2009 release, “What I Know,” has topped folk charts with harmonies by Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Bramlett and Nanci Griffith. Tickets to the show are $30 for adults, $28 for senior citizens and $15 for youth.
Next on the schedule is Henson-Conant, a Grammy-nominated musical pioneer who will bring her fiery harp performance to stage Thursday, Oct. 8. Combining blues, flamenco, Celtic, funk, folk and jazz elements, she has written and produced her own one-woman shows and orchestrated many symphony shows including one that aired on PBS. Tickets to the show are $30 for adults, $28 for senior citizens and $15 for youth.
The lineup will take another shift in style on Thursday, Oct. 29, with John Sebastian, former lead singer and songwriter of The Lovin’ Spoonful, and David Grisman, a mandolinist who spearheaded an acoustic music revolution with “Dawg” music, a unique blend of swing, bluegrass, Latin and other musical influences. With the duo’s CD “Satisfied,” Sebastian, a member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame, and Grisman crafted a collection of acoustic duets featuring traditional folk tunes, blues, classic instrumentals and original tracks.
Revving up the pace a bit will be Colonial Brass, the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty’s brass ensemble, in a free show on Thursday, Feb. 11. The Grace Kelly Quintet will take the stage Friday, Feb. 19. At 16, Kelly, a saxophonist, vocalist, composer and arranger, already has recorded and/or performed with many notable musicians, including Phil Woods, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland and Harry Connick Jr. ($20-$30.)
“Made in New Hampshire with the Nashua Symphony Orchestra and Chorus” is next on the agenda on Friday, Feb. 26. Led by Jonathan McPhee, the NSO will be joined by its affiliated Symphony Chorus and baritone Phillip Lima for a family-friendly program celebrating the state’s history of creative inspiration. ($20 to $35).
Up next is the Ying Quartet on Thursday, March 4. The Grammy Award-winning ensemble includes classical musician siblings Janet, Phil and David Ying and the newest quartet member, Frank Huang ($15-$30). Also on the spring program will be a one-man theatrical presentation, “Mother/SON,” in which writer and actor Jeffrey Solomon, playing both roles, converses with his mother about her struggles with his homosexuality. This show is March 18. ($15-$25).
Natraj, a quintet that melds the classical music of India, traditional music from West Africa and contemporary jazz will play April 8. ($13-$25). Celtic tenor John McDermott, who leaped to fame with The Irish Tenors, will perform April 29. McDermott sang in his own band and as an opening act for The Chieftains before a 1999 performance with The Irish Tenors on PBS catapulted him into the international spotlight. ($25-$35).
For more information about the Silver Center for the Art’s offerings this season, log onto silver.plymouth.edu or call the box office at 535-ARTS.
