Spencer Bohren returns to MSU as artist-in-residence
Blues performer Spencer Bohren will visit Morehead State University as an artist-in-residence, Nov. 2-4. During his visit, he will present lectures, seminars, workshops and give public performances of his acoustic blues and shadow box artwork.
Bohren will cap off the week by joining Kentucky Juke Boys for a performance. The special show will be held at Grounds and Sounds, located at 139 East Main Street, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. He will take the stage for a solo performance around 9 p.m.
The guitarist and songwriter specializes in blues, gospel and folk music. He was raised in a musical family and sang in a Baptist church during his youth.
The New Orleans native has recorded 10 compact discs of original and traditional material and named New Orleans' "Best Folk Artist" three times by the Big Easy Awards. In addition, the New Orleans Times-Picayune named his "Carry The Word" release the "Best CD of the Year by a Louisiana Artist" in 2001.
Bohren has performed his music on A Prairie Home Companion, Americana Crossroads Live, at Merlefest in North Carolina, and around the world for audiences in Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden, Holland, Switzerland, Iceland, Finland, Japan, Ireland, Germany, England and Canada.
He is a regular guitar instructor and lecturer at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch in Pomeroy, Ohio, and has developed a documentary performance program on the history of the blues titled "Down The Dirt Road," which has been adapted for younger audiences.
Bohren also is an artist of cigar box sculptures called "shadowboxes" - using material found in everyday life and on his travels. He is a self-taught artist who enjoys sharing his craft with others.
Hurricane Katrina forced Bohren and his family to relocate to St. Louis from their New Orleans residence. He will share his experiences from the hurricane through words and music during his performances.
The campus visit is made possible through the support of the Buckner and Sally S. Hinkle Endowment for the Humanities, MSU Arts and Humanities Council, Morehead State Public Radio, and the University's Department of Art and Department of Music.
Additional information is available from Paul Hitchcock, MSPR general manager, at (606) 783-2334 or p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu.
The following is a tentative schedule of Bohren's visit to MSU:
-
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Department of Music class lectures on influence of blues music on rock and roll, Baird Music Building, TBA.*
-
Thursday, Nov. 3
Department of Art class lectures on shadowbox techniques, Claypool-Young Art Building, (10:20-11:20 a.m. and 12:40-1:40 p.m.)*
Public workshop on shadowbox techniques, Claypool-Young Art Building, free admission, 7-9 p.m.*
-
Friday, Nov. 4
Performance at Grounds and Sounds, admission price $5, 9-10:30 p.m.
Events marked with * are free and open to the public.
