Concerts planned at the Creative Arts Guild

Published 12:04 am Sunday, January 14, 2018

The Creative Arts Guild has several concerts planned in January and February.

Earl Brackin and Friends

Catch singer/songwriter Earl Brackin and his band on Friday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Guild’s Jonas Hall at 520 W. Waugh St. Brackin’s concert is the next event in the Guild’s In Concert Series: A Collection of Roots Music Performances.

“Expect a spectacular night of music with Mr. Brackin, joined by some of his and our favorite local musicians: Paul Byrum on bass, Tom Brown on harmonica, Ken Hamilton on banjo and Tod Brock on fiddle,” concert coordinator Charlsey Etheridge said. “These talented folks appear on his recordings and often accompany him in concert.”

Brackin’s music is described as “Americana/folk/bluegrass” on his Facebook page, but his music is not that easily categorized; he often incorporates elements from different styles of music into his compositions resulting in interesting and appealing blends within the songs.

Jeff Bianchi

Come back to the Jonas Hall on the following Sunday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m. to hear classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi. This will be Bianchi’s third time performing in Dalton. A native of Williamson, N.Y., Bianchi began performing at weddings and cafes while still in his teens. The uniqueness of the classical guitar coupled with his professionalism enabled him to keep working at what he loves over the years. As his skills grew, he gave full concerts throughout western New York.

His work earned him performances at the Rantucci International Guitar Festival as well as the nationally recognized Ithaca Guitar Festival. Bianchi also appeared with such country acts as Young Guns and Chace Roberts. As an electric guitarist, Bianchi toured much of North America, playing clubs and dance halls with capacity crowds.

Peacock Alley Jazz Group

Looking for something special to do with your special someone Valentine’s Day weekend? An intimate evening of jazz with the Peacock Alley Jazz Group is Friday, Feb. 16, starting at 7 p.m. Comprised of local musicians Paul Byrum on bass, Frank Giammarella on piano, Ken Hamilton on percussion and with guest vocalist Charlsey Etheridge, this edition of the Roots Music Series is one you will not want to miss. Reservations are recommended for this special evening at the Guild.

“A tasteful ambiance” describes the musical expressions of this ensemble. Each of the men in this trio are employed by “mill companies” in Dalton, thus the nod to our Peacock Alley heritage. Peacock Alley is the name of old U.S. Highway 41 between Dalton and Atlanta during the early 1900s when colorful tufted cotton chenille bedspreads with peacock designs beckoned travelers to stop and buy. This early cottage industry led to the birth of the tufted carpet industry, eventually making Dalton the “Carpet Capital of the World.”

Check www.creative artsguild.org for a full schedule of In Concert performances and other art events. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors and students with valid ID. For parties of six or more, contact the Guild to reserve a table. For more information about our concerts and other music programming, contact Etheridge at (615) 838-3930 or concerts@creativeartsguild.org.