The Black Box to Present Live Music Series Event

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's new theater, music and event venue, presents a wide-ranging lineup of live music entertainment this November. Events are slated to feature concerts in genres ranging from classical, jazz and pop to Southern rock, cabaret and children's programming. The broad-based calendar of entertainment offers something for everyone. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street.

Stilburnin Southern Rock headlines a Local Artist Series concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 6. Originally formed in 2002, Stilburnin has played many venues along the east coast, from New Hampshire to Florida. Brought up on Southern music and blues, the five-piece band covers Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchett, ZZ Top, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker and many more. This hard-working Southern rock tribute band delivers foot-stomping, good time music with a great song list.

Violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar present "Tea for Two" on Saturday, November 7 at 4 p.m., featuring classical arrangements of popular North and South American music. Tea service will be available in THE BLACK BOX lobby. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen received degrees from Rachmaninoff Music College, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, and Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. She is a busy freelance violinist in the Greater Boston area. Irina was concertmaster of San Francisco's Russian Chamber Orchestra for many years, appearing as soloist numerous times. Currently, she is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra and co-founder of "Flying Hearts" duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including jazz, Klezmer and classic American tunes. Irina Kotlyar, born in Kharkov, Ukraine, earned her degrees from Rubin Academy of Music. With Gregory Shifrin, the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo has performed throughout Israel, Europe and America and has won several prestigious international prizes and awards. This special presentation of THE BLACK BOX Classical Series is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents a double bill on Friday, November 13 at 8:00 p.m., featuring The Chick Magnets and Ben Gardner's Boat. The Chick Magnets showcases a lineup of veteran players and multi-instrumentalists, featuring bluesy keyboards, saxophone and trombone, plus a healthy commitment to vocal harmonies. Returning to THE BLACK BOX, the acoustic rock band Ben Gardner's Boat features members Jeff Roy, Don Larsen, Tom Grillo, Pat DeGregorio and Scott Mueller.

On Sunday, November 15, BLACK BOX Jazz presents a Big Band Brunch, featuring the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band. The critically-acclaimed 16-piece juggernaut, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson. Brunch begins at 11:30 a.m., with music beginning at noon.

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret debuts the inaugural performance of Rising Stars Cabaret. Presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company, this special cabaret revue spotlights the vocal talents of promising young area performers. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere with professional accompaniment.

THE BLACK BOX Children's Series kicks off its second season at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21. Franklin's Jamie Barrett, singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher, is back by popular demand with an engaging mix of family-favorite songs. The afternoon delivers a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages. THE BLACK BOX Children's Series concert is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

On Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m., Electric Youth members past and present rock THE BLACK BOX for the venue's first-ever EY reunion show. Relive the group's hits from the last decade and more. Enjoy performances by popular Electric Youth alumni and hear fan-favorite songs from EY's extensive repertoire of high-energy contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

To post a comment, you must register and login.