The five shows in Darke County Center for the Arts’ upcoming Coffeehouse Series add up to an amazing array of talent presented in multiple venues around the community. These intimate concerts, offered in an inviting social setting where food and drink are also available provide a truly upscale experience in a down home atmosphere, and often result in treasured memories that can be happily recalled through numerous days yet to come.
Annie Sellick and Pat Bergeson open the series at the Arts Depot in Union City on Thursday, September 21. Known for the charismatic joy she exudes from the stage, Nashville native Annie Sellick has toured with numerous well-known artists including Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark O’Connor, and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Her husband Pat Bergeson moved to Nashville at the request of legendary guitarist Chet Atkins, and has performed and recorded with a list of notables including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Lyle Lovett. The couple perform American standards, soulful originals, and cabaret classics with skill and charm; in this case, one plus one equals an evening of exponentially amazing acoustic music.
Zydeco legend and two-time Grammy winner Terrance Simien returns to town on Thursday, October 26; you can count on his show at the Bistro Off Broadway being jam-packed with energy and verve. An eighth generation Louisiana Creole, Terrance has toured the world with his Zydeco Experience band, bringing the infectious groove of his indigenous music to millions of fans since 1983. Anyone caught sitting still while Terrance is performing should have their pulse checked, as this charismatic force of nature will inspire all living creatures to join the fun.
The Coffee Pot will host contemporary Appalachian folk trio Zoe Speaks on Thursday, November 9. Rooted in the sounds they grew up playing but drawing on a variety of rhythms and styles, the group includes two award-winning singer/songwriters, Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover, as well as consummate sideman Owen Reynolds who works to “make each song more of what it already is,” a hard-to-classify equation accomplished by only the best. Known for both their original songs and their unique spins on the mountain tunes of their native Kentucky, the music of Zoe Speaks is socially conscious and spiritual, fitting perfectly into the Coffeehouse aura.
In 6 Guitars, six unforgettable characters, all played by actor/musician Chase Padgett, will move you to laughter and perhaps to tears. As Chase assumes multiple roles and talks about music a little bit, he tells the story of guitar players from several musical genres—blues, jazz, rock, classical, folk, and country—and illuminates the fact that music is essential to our lives. The Bistro Off Broadway will host this one-of-a-kind Coffeehouse presentation on Thursday, February 22.
The Coffeehouse season will close on Thursday, May 3 when Detroit-based singer Jill Jack performs at Arcanum Historical Society’s Wayne Trail House. Inspired by her musical idols Joni Mitchell and Emmy Lou Harris, Jill covers folk, blues, soul, rock, and country songs and draws from the Great American Songbook. The triple threat of her magnetic stage presence, uniquely pretty and versatile clear-to-smoky voice, and warm sense of humor reaches out to audience members who often feel as though Jill has become their new best friend.
Tickets to the amazing shows in this outstanding line-up are just $10 each; the bargain increases for DCCA members, who are entitled to a $2 discount per ticket. Count up the savings; count up the minimal travel time to nearby venues; count up the joys to be gained. To reserve your tickets now, contact DCCA at 937-547-0908 or [email protected]; tickets can also be purchased online at www.centerforarts.net. All Coffeehouse shows start at 7 p.m.
