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Smithsonian Exhibit Coming to Henderson, Kentucky
Exhibition Explores American Roots Music Traditions and Many Associated Activities May 3 - June 14 to Riverbend Academy
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Henderson, KY - Riverbend Academy, School of Visual & Performing Arts, in cooperation with John James Audubon Museum, The Kentucky Humanities Council and The Ohio Valley Art League (OVAL) will host the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.
Through a selection of photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music will explore the distinct cultural identities of American roots music forms. The exhibition will examine the progression of American roots music, as rich and eclectic as our country itself. The exhibit is comprised of several kiosks that depict music through the years and various genres including jazz, blues, country, roots revival, dance, rock and roll and gospel.
New Harmonies will be on view to the public beginning May 3 and continuing through June 14 concluding along with the WC Handy Blues Fest. Hours will be 9 to 4 p.m. Tues – Sat.; Sundays 1 – 5. Open to the public, a $5 contribution at the door is welcomed from visitors to offset exhibit and hosting expenses.
Other associated events with the New Harmonies exhibit include:
A grand opening preview party and fundraiser will be hosted on Friday, May 2 sponsored by Western Kentucky Energy from 6 to 8 p.m. at Riverbend Academy. The event cost will be a minimum donation of $10 to Riverbend Academy per person to help offset expenses for the six week exhibit. The evening will include a sneak preview, refreshments and a cash wine bar by Ruby Moon Winery. Live music will fill the rooms while visitors mingle through the exhibit. This event is open to the public.
OVAL will host “Music in Color” to compliment the New Harmonies exhibit which includes approximately 25 award-winning area artists. Artwork with musical themes has been prepared especially for this exhibition and all will be offered for sale with a percentage benefiting OVAL and Riverbend.
“Homegrown Bluegrass” takes the stage at Audubon State Park on Friday, May 16th and Saturday May 17th with live bluegrass band performances.
On Saturday evening, May 24 from 4:30 to 11:00 PM, Riverbend takes over Henderson’s Main Street and kicks off “The Tri-State Teen Idol Search” for local youth ages 13 to 19 in the region. This event will showcase many present Riverbend student performers and is open to local teen groups and solo contestants. This evening is for registration and kick-off of a series of tryouts and elimination events that will follow in coming months. Each registration requires a $5 fee that will go toward scholarship prizes. More detail on this event will be released soon; it is sponsored by Ohio Valley Financial Services with support from Coffee News.
A Performance Lecture Series will be hosted at Riverbend Academy free of charge to the public and sponsored by the Kentucky Humanities Council. The series includes:
Pat McCormick and Gail King present “Handy in Context” on May 13th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM featuring sounds and scenes from Handy’s Henderson decades.
Daniel Hildenbrandt presents “The Roots of Zydeco” on May 27th from 6:00 to 7 PM with a performance lecture.
Richard Domek presents “American Ragtime” on May 31st from 6:00 7:00 PM with a performance lecture.
Every weekday morning over the six week exhibition during weekday morning drive time, WSON will air “Roots in Music Minutes”, these are brief educational spots on the history of American roots music. This is sponsored by Big Rivers Electric and Methodist Hospital in conjunction with the Kentucky Humanities Council.
For five (5) consecutive Thursdays beginning May 8, Riverbend will host “Bring a Lunch & Munch with the Artists” from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Enjoy music, demonstrating artists and some performances while you dine on your sack lunch in the grand salon dining room at Riverbend.
On Sunday, May 18th, Audubon Mill Park will be the location for “Sing-Spiration”. The public is invited to bring your chairs and come be a part of this hymn sing-a-long from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. This event is open to local choirs and individuals; to be included in the performance, contact Evelyn Champion at 860-3537.
“Graceland Grub” Cooking Class Friday, May 23rd at 6:30 PM. This event features a cooking class hosted by Victoria National Golf Club’s Chef Bill Hawkins, formerly the chef at Elvis’ restaurant and also the former chef at Graceland in Memphis. Be entertained by lots of Elvis facts, Elvis music, Chef Hawkins’ celebrity stories and some of Elvis’ favorite recipes. Chef Hawkins has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The Food Network, The Travel Channel, E! and a host of other publications. Cost is $45 per person and includes dinner. Reservations must be made and paid in advance. This event is sponsored by Audubon Dental Centers.
Riverbend Academy and the region has been expressly chosen as the site location for this exhibit by the John James Audubon Museum and the Kentucky Humanities Council. New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music is part of the Museum on Main Street project – a national/state/local partnership to bring Smithsonian Institution exhibitions and programs to smaller communities.
The Henderson exhibition will be the second site in the state of Kentucky to receive the tour and has a much larger metro region than most that normally host these exhibits. It has been noted that some communities see as many as 10,000 people come through these exhibitions over the six week period.
The goal of the Exhibit is to introduce many to Riverbend Academy and hope it will inspire those who attend to become more involved in the cultural life of our community; maybe choose to learn to play a new instrument or explore a unique art form through Riverbend Academy as a result.
To learn more about New Harmonies and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org. To learn more, visit www.sites.si.edu, www.kyhumanities.org . For additional information, inquiries or registrations, call Riverbend Academy at 827-9420 or Audubon Museum at (270) 827-1893.
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RIVERBEND ACADEMY
Riverbend Academy School of Visual & Performing Arts is comprised of Institutes in the areas of Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Culinary.
Serving the Tri-State, Riverbend Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit in good standing with the State of Kentucky. We are an ecumenical, God-centered organization with a mission to offer superior arts education to everyone regardless of age, race, ability, disability or socio-economic status.
Through teaching the arts in various disciplines, Riverbend Academy desires to bring about hope, transform lives and fuse various people and talents while generating talented new artists.
Tour this website to find out more about becoming an instructor, to volunteer, offer financial support for scholarships and general operations, or learn about our courses and register for classes.
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