The Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT starts the New Year off with its January 22, 2016 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe musical evening featuring Dan Stevens, internationally known acoustical blues singer and guitar player, at 7:30 p.m.
Dan Stevens has been playing guitar since he was 16, and studied with Dave von Ronk who was known as the “mayor of McDougal Street” in Greenwich Village during the 1960’s folk music scene when Peter, Paul, and Mary were just one of the great groups we remember from that time and place. He has played throughout the United States, Germany, UK, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands, but now focuses on the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, travelling from his home in Old Lyme, CT. He also plays regularly in the New York City Subway system in locations such as Times Square and Gran Central Terminal. Just recently his career was highlighted in the Coen Brothers’ movie, “Inside Llewyn Davis” set in the Greenwich Village scene of the sixties.
He has just won the Connecticut State Blues Society Challenge and will represent our state at the International State Competition in Memphis on Beale Street at the end of the month, actually leaving the day after playing in Marlborough. Dan Stevens is also a collector and player of unique primitive guitars that include a 3-string “Cigar Box Guitar”, a 1-string ” Diddly Bow” guitar, and also a “Resophonic” blues instrument decorated with a 1953 Rambler hubcap. His performance promises to bring all of these unique instruments and their sounds together for a very interesting musical experience. He is known as a raconteur and lauded for the authenticity of his approach.
Admission at the door is $10/person. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. BYOWine with other refreshments available. The Marlborough Arts Center is a non-profit organization with website www.marlborougharts.org and telephone (860) 295-9389. It is housed in an historic building that is fully accessible and has ample parking.