Write a commentThe Oswego Music Hall’s gala Finale show at the end of its annual season has become a much-anticipated music and food fest. This year’s Finale, Sat. May 14, 4:20 - 9:20, will feature Ukulele master, Stuart Fuchs with guest artist Sarah Carlisle.
The doors open at 4:00 for the Finale, a unique, five-hour extravaganza. Sammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Colleen Kattau kicks off the festivities at 4:20. Headliner Stuart Fuchs and Sarah Carlisle will take the stage for two sets, at 4:45 and 7:15. A Buffet will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30— a smorgasbord of home made Old City Hall cuisine and Franco’s Pizza— with guests entertained by a Regional Artists Showcase that highlights a wonderful range of area musicians. After this musical feast, the evening ends with a complimentary sunset reception in the sun room with a cornucopia of desserts and music by local favorite, John McConnell.
Headliner Stuart Fuchs is a performing multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, sound healer, and an innovative and compassionate teacher. He is a lifelong minstrel and plays a wide variety of styles of music on acoustic guitar and ukulele including folk, classical, jazz, rock, avant garde, sacred and world music.
Cathy Fink, GRAMMY Award Winner & Producer, described Fuchs’ latest CD, "Stukulele" as “Masterful playing and creative arrangements. Stuart Fuchs is a Tour de Force on Ukulele with taste and a heavy finger on the talent button.”
Fuchs' concerts are like a combination of a summertime lawn bowling party, a mystical poetry reading in a Bedouin tent, a smoky jazz club, a nuanced recital hall concert, and heart opening meditation class. Audiences laugh, sing and clap along, reflect upon life's mysteries and sometimes even shed a tear.
Fuchs has been called a "modern day pied piper" (Buffalo News) and travels the world spreading musical joy through spontaneous and scheduled acts of melodic kindness. He twice performed at the Music Hall to a packed audience, with the award winning quartet, “Babik,” a band which he founded and played lead guitar, performing the gypsy jazz music of Django Reinhardt.
Accompanying Stuart is guest artist Sarah Carlisle. Sarah began her musical studies on the double bass at the age of ten, and in 1998 attended the Peabody Conservatory on full scholarship. She studied classical and jazz music in college and spent many years playing jazz in Washington, DC, and New York City.
Visit Stuart’s website http://www.stufuchs.com/ to learn more about this exciting performer.
The Regional Artists Showcase at this Finale is always of special interest. It’s a great way to see and hear a range of homegrown singer/songwriters. This year’s Showcase includes Jim Shaffer, Patrick Sampson, JoAnne Sherwood, Brian Francis and the band Genesee Ted featuring Dana Cooke. Local luminaries Colleen Kattau and John McConnell start and end the evening respectively.
With five hours of great music and good food, the May 14 Finale is a party not to be missed. Admission to the whole event are free for members of the Oswego Music Hall. $10 Basic Music Hall membership may be purchased at the door. Non-member tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at oswegomusichall.org and at river's end bookstore in Oswego. Children 5-12 are half price (not available online); children under 5 are free.
Dinner is $12 Tickets for the dinner will be sold at the door while supply lasts. (Children are half price and under 5 are free). Hot and cold beverages will be available.
This Season Finale is a family-friendly jamboree from 4:20 until after sunset at the Oswego Music Hall, McCrobie Building, 41 Lake St., Oswego. For more information call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website: http://oswegomusichall.org/
The 39th season for the Oswego Music Hall will begin next fall on Sept. 10 featuring world renowned finger style guitarist Richard Smith and Julie Adams. Save the date and check the Music Hall schedule online to see the new schedule as it gets firmed up over the summer. Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the NYS Council on the Arts and the Shineman Foundation.
