The Kent County Arts Council is pleased to announce a new music series — Saturdays @ Noon at the G.A.R. The series of 1 hour-long musical presentations features local performers at the historic Charles Sumner Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) in Chestertown, MD.
The premiere event featured The Doc Stevens and Marilyn Show on Saturday, March 21, 2015. They sang their signature style of ole time music to a packed house.
The next Saturday performance will be an event marking the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, one of the most influential African-American leaders of the 20th century. The program features poetry, film, and music with the reminiscences and poetry of Robert Earl Price and the music of Andre Sisco on Saturday, March 28, 2015 @ Noon.
On Saturday, April 4, 2015 @ Noon enjoy local viola virtuoso, Nevin Dawson. He will perform Celtic to Classic on violin and viola.
The series is produced and sponsored by the Kent County Arts Council. All events are free and open to the Public. Saturdays @ Noon at the G.A.R. continues with additional performers through the spring.
The Charles Sumner Post #25 – Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), also known as Centennial Hall, was built in 1908 by African American veterans of the Civil War and served as a gathering place for veterans of the U.S. Colored Troops. It was named in honor of the famous Massachusetts antislavery senator. It served as the center of African-American community life for 60 years. It is the only building of its kind in the state of Maryland, and one of only two such monuments left standing in the United States. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
The historic building was recently renovated and turned into a world-class museum with an exhibition about the nation’s Civil War and the story of African Americans’ involvement in it. The building includes a museum display plus an event space which features jazz, blues, gospel and classical music, youth programs, art shows, poetry readings, lectures, theatre and film series for everyone in the community to enjoy.
The Charles Sumner Post #25 – Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) is located on 206 S. Queen St. in Chestertown, MD 21620.
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