The Eastern Shore Writers Association has scheduled a Chesapeake Song program with renowned folk singer Tom McHugh at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 in Rock Hall.
Festivities start at the historic Mainstay Theater with a concert of Songs of the Chesapeake by McHugh, who will present a set of his classic waterman and boating tunes. The program will then move to the Bay Wolf Restaurant for lunch, where McHugh will MC a program of recorded and live regional songs. Guests are invited to bring guitars and banjos.
A retired college professor, McHugh received a Ph.D. from Penn, then started his college teaching career at Washington College. He moved to Vassar College as chairman of The Department of Education and a member of the American Culture Program faculty. McHugh retired in the early nineties as a full professor and moved back to Rock Hall.
“When I retired early from Vassar I vowed to my students that I would take the things learned there and convert them for use in some other setting,” McHugh said. “Those things Vassar taught me were a love of community service, that every act is a teaching act, that the best learning takes place in settings that are artistic and creative, and that the arts are critical to any learning atmosphere.” So, in 1997, Tom founded The Mainstay as a community center for the arts.
Both events are open to the public – the concert is $6 at the door and lunch is $14. Please RSVP for the lunch at [email protected]. CDs of McHugh’s songs are available at the Mainstay.
Lori Campbell says
There is no one like Tom McHugh. We are so far apart politically (which we joke about) but we are on the same page when it comes to love of community, love of music, and love for each other and our fellow man. I hope I can participate on February 14. Tom McHugh is a genuinely fine human being who has contributed far more than any of us could ever hope to contribute. Hats off to Tom McHugh, The Banjo Man!