The Obsoleets, a very eclectic and entertaining string band from the Philadelphia suburbs that plays American roots and blues will be the third free outdoor concert in the Music at Oyster Court series on Saturday August 21 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will take place in Oyster Court, the open space behind the Mainstay in Rock Hall unless it rains or is too hot in which case it will move indoors to the Mainstay. Bring a comfortable chair. Information about this and other Mainstay concerts is available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
The concerts in this series are sponsored by the Sener-Johnston Family Fund at Mid Shore Community Foundation, the Rock Hall Business Association, the Kent County Arts Council and the Mainstay.
The Obsoleets are an American roots string band and show orchestra. This five piece band has performed regionally at venues from New York City to Wilmington, Delaware. Most recently they opened for Chris Thomas King of “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou” fame at the Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA.
There are a lot of strings attached to this band – 6 on the guitar, 5 on the banjo, 4 on the ukulele, 10 on the tiple, 2 on the erhu and 8 on the mandolin. The core of the band, John Stovicek (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Parris Bradley (tenor guitar, ukulele, tiple, can-jo) and Steven Patrick Smith (percussion), is made up of theatre veterans who have collaborated on many performance projects including soundscape performances, original musicals, sound design for theatre productions (Arden Theatre Company, Villanova University, Amaryllis Theatre Company) and Fringe Festivals (Philadelphia, New York). The three also have national acting and directing theatre credits.
Rounding out this dynamic five piece band is jazz artist Alan Lewine on upright bass and Qin Qian on erhu (“Chinese violin”) who each have strong followings and national performance credits.
Together they are clearing out the cobwebs on some choice old chestnuts, cooking up the blues classics and serving them greasy. Expect everything from jug band favorites to a Mummers tune and a very good time.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)3, non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall and the surrounding region and dedicated to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. For information and reservations to the ticketed concerts call 410-639-9133. Reservations are not needed for the “Music at Oyster Court” series. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
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