Bryan Bowers
Saturday, November 29, 2008 7pm
Remick Barn at Old York, York, Maine
TICKETS & RESERVATIONS: Tickets are $15/ $8 students, available at www.seacoastguitar.org, by phone: 207-363-1886 , at Tulips (Portsmouth) Earcraft (Dover), Acoustic Outfitters (Stratham) Museums of Old York (York ) The Seacoast Guitar Society is a non-profit organization to benefit the guitar lovers of the area. Musicians, students and fans are encouraged to join and support our cause..
DETAILS: Tickets and Reservations form
DETAILS: The newly renovated Remick Barn is an ideal small venue for listening. Heated, air-conditioned, it has full handicap access, and a small kitchen so there will be some beverages, snacks and refreshments, though no meals. It is very easy to find, and there is plenty of free parking. it is a perfect family environment. Travel time from Portsmouth NH is about 11 minutes.
Wheelchair access: yes
Workshop/Master Class: Probably not-- feel free to try to get one going if you can.
About Bryan Bowers: Bryan Bowers has been the leading figure in the modern autoharp revival (it was once a very popular instrument in the 1890's) and is largely responsible for inspiring most of today's players. Though the Carter Family featured autoharp, and a number of 1960's folk artists such as Ian & Sylvia, Mike Seeger and John Sebastian played them, the instrument did not take center stage until Bowers began performing. He was the only living member of the Autoharp Hall of Fame, and his numerous recordings and his legendary stage performances make him a sought-after performer in the folk music circuit. Since he first emerged in the early 1970's, he has been called the "Paganini of the Autoharp" and is often compared with musicians such as Earl Scruggs (banjo) and Josh Graves (dobro) who almost single-handedly sparked widespread interest in their instruments.
Bowers is a gifted songwriter, plays guitar & mandocello, and is a mesmerizing and very witty and compelling storyteller and performer. He plays a mix of original, traditional and contemporary songs and instrumentals. (His now-classic version of "The Scotsman" is actually included on the Best of Dr. Demento CD compilation, being a very unlikely folk music cut on a CD beloved by 12 year olds and Weird Al Yankovic fans across America.) The autoharp is the only surviving member of a surprising number of mechanical zithers that were invented in the last half of the 19th century, and its 36 strings have a sound that resembles that of the dulcimer, harpsichord and the music box. Bowers travels with a pile of autoharps that are tuned in different keys, and is as fabled for his ability to keep them in tune as he is for playing them.ARTIST WEB SITE: www.bryanbowers.com
DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 7 off I-95 in Maine, follow signs to York. (Briefly SOUTH on Rt 1 after exiting I-95) Go 1/2 mile on Rt 1-A until you see tall church towering over the village center (church address is 180 York St for GPS and Googling). The Remick Barn is across the street on the right across from the small graveyard. Park anywhere in front or behind.Call 207-363-1886 for tickets or information.
REVIEWS:
Seacoast Guitar
Society
PO Box 790 York, ME 03909
207-363-1886 (phone)
207-363-7263 (fax)
The Seacoast Guitar Society is a not-for-profit 501 c(3) corporation
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