“Scott Kirby: Main Street Souvenirs” combines images of Kirby’s original artwork and music along with 150 years of well-known American music, visual images and spoken narrative in one package when it makes its Ohio debut at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
This Club Kuss Series event is presented by the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
“This brings all my different creative pursuits into one show, my love of the Midwest, Great Plains and music,” said Kirby, an Urbana High School alumnus.
The presentation is split into two parts. The first focuses on Main Street Midwest, commemorating things that are becoming less a part of life.
Kirby, who now lives in Colorado, said his old hometown of Urbana was a key inspiration.
“It’s where people gather for baseball games, concerts in the park,” he said. “It’s one-room schoolhouses, people singing around a piano together, things we just don’t get anymore. It’s celebrating that Midwest mindset.”
The music will range from John Philip Souza to Steven Foster to Scott Joplin.
The second half is inspired by The Great Plains and prairies, which influenced Kirby to begin painting, which he said just occurred.
When he started painting the Great Plains, Kirby said it all made sense as it inspired the new show.
“I was bombarded by these images,” he said. The second half will be accompanied by Kirby’s own original music.
Painting has also become a second career as he also sells his artwork.
The concert will be Kirby’s first in Springfield aside from performing at Wittenberg University. He expects quite a few family members, friends and former teachers to attend.
His connections to Springfield include his grandfather, Richard Parker of longtime area business The Parker Sweeper Company, as well as working under Robert Howat, a longtime music professor at Wittenberg.
Kirby hopes afterward, people will think about the uniqueness of small Midwestern life, which doesn’t always translate to other parts of the country her performs in.
“It touches a nerve in people seeing something we’re losing. I believe in it completely.”
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: “Scott Kirby: Main Street Souvenirs”
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24
Admission: $23
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu/events
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