The Smithsonian exhibit, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music is coming to town! The Beaufort Branch Library, in cooperation with The Humanities Council SC will explore aspects of America’s roots music as it hosts the local showing of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition.
New Harmonies will be on view beginning with a grand opening celebration on December 17, 2011 and continuing through February 4, 2012.
Through a selection of photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music explores the distinct cultural identities of American roots music forms. The exhibit will examine the progression of American roots music, as rich and eclectic as our country itself. “We are very pleased to be chosen to host New Harmonies in Beaufort,” said reference librarian, Amanda Brewer. “It allows us the opportunity to explore this fascinating aspect of our own region’s musical history and we hope that it will inspire many to become even more involved in the cultural life of our community.”
“Allowing all of our state’s residents to have access to the cultural resources of our nation’s premiere museum is a priority of The Humanities CouncilSC”, said Randy Akers, the Council’s Executive Director. “With this special tour, we are pleased to be working with the Beaufort Branch Library to help develop local exhibitions and public programs to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition.” Such free events include Sunday afternoon concert series, Lunch & Listen music performances, lectures, hands-on workshops, film screenings, art exhibits, and more. For a schedule of events log onto www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/newharmonies.
To kickoff the opening of the exhibit, a Grand Opening ribbon cutting will be held at the Beaufort Branch Library on Saturday, December 17th at 2 p.m. Immediately following the ribbon cutting, local musicians will be on hand to provide live music throughout the afternoon.
New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Humanities CouncilSC and the Beaufort County Library. Local sponsors include: Friends of the Beaufort County Library, Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, Arts Council of Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands, Strings and Things, University of South Carolina Center for the Arts, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Hargray, Walmart, Kazoobie Kazoos, Technical College of the Lowcountry, To learn more about New Harmonies and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.
For additional information about these programs and other library programs please stop in
for a visit at your local branch or check the library’s website at www.beaufortcountylibrary.org
New Harmonies Sunday Concert Series
ARTworks will be hosting a series of Sunday concerts in conjunction with the New Harmonies exhibit.
Sunday, Jan. 8: FolkUs and The Hungry Monks in concert. FolkUs is a classic folk trio straight out of Sun City. The Hungry Monks weave a rich tapestry of sound, melodic and rhythmic, grounded in the folk traditions of many cultures. Part of the Library’s New Harmonies Sunday Concert series, 3pm at ArtWorks in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, $5 donation at the door, www.artworksinbeaufort.org.
Sunday, Jan. 15: Community Sing with local choirs: traditional spirituals in a community sing-along. Part of the Library’s New Harmonies Sunday Concert series, 6:30pm at Frissell House at Penn Center, St. Helena Island, www.penncenter.com.
Sunday, Jan. 22: Blue Mudd in concert. Digging deep down into their Lowcountry roots, Blue Mudd explores a diverse repertoire of Americana. The band features Beek Webb’s mandolin and fiddle and Vic Varner’s smooth voice accompanied by acoustic rhythm guitar. Part of the Library’s New Harmonies Sunday Concert series, 3pm at ArtWorks in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, $5 donation at the door, www.artworksinbeaufort.org.
Sunday, Jan. 29: Drink Small, South Carolina’s legendary bluesman. Known worldwide as “The Blues Doctor,” he plays virtuoso blues guitar, two-fisted piano, and sings in an inimitable basso profundo voice. Part of the Library’s New Harmonies Sunday Concert series, 3pm at ArtWorks in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, $5 donation at the door, www.artworksinbeaufort.org.
