The Marlborough Arts Center’s “4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe” presents Jeff Snow, performing The Softer Side of Celtic, Friday, May 27, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT. Jeff Snow is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays the music and tells the stories behind the songs.
Jeff plays six and twelve string guitar, autoharp, Celtic Bouzouki & Bodhran, and he also plays the drums and a variety of other percussion instruments. A skilled guitar player, Jeff was featured in the August 2006 issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. He is also a contributor to the magazine.
Growing up as the son of a drummer in a Bagpipe band and in a home where older Celtic songs were the everyday sounds, Jeff developed a love for the music of Scotland, England and Ireland. His concerts have been described as “quiet and relaxing”—and much of it is—but sometimes he’ll break out and the foot stomping begins!
The magical sounds from the instruments coupled with vocals and Jeff’s love and knowledge of his Scottish heritage create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs. Much of the history of Scotland, England and Ireland is preserved in song. Hearing those stories along with the songs educate as well as entertain. You will see singing, laughing, lots of smiles and perhaps a few tears.
There is no better example of this than the Ballad of Kilkelly Ireland. In 1855 John Hunt left his family’s home in Kilkelly Ireland and came to the United States. When he left Ireland, John Hunt was 13 years old. He settled in Maryland, found a job, got married and had children. He never returned to Ireland and never saw his family again. Without cell phones and the internet, communication was by the annual family letter. In the 1970’s these letters were discovered by songwriter Peter Jones. He wrote the ballad that tells the story of the Hunt family.
Jeff has performed for audiences of all ages and in a variety of settings including concert halls, libraries, museums, churches, schools, and private homes.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but doors are open by 7:00, allowing a chance to see our current exhibit, choose a seat, buy a refreshment, and settle in for the music. Admission at the door is $10 per person. BYOWine. Other refreshments are available. Visit the website at 
www.marlborougharts.org or telephone (860) 295-9389 for more details on the many artistic activities offered by the Marlborough Arts Center including renting this beautiful facility for an event of your own.
The Marlborough Arts Center’s ART PARK is in Phase 2 now after last year’s fund-raising efforts to buy and preserve the land for the future of arts in the community and region. At the moment this means the beginning of making paths through the trees so that people will soon be able to utilize the 1 1/2 acres of land that will include a Sculpture Park.