Sherman Chamber Ensemble to Offer Free Bluegrass Concerts Labor Day Weekend

The Sherman Chamber Ensemble's summer season continues Labor Day weekend with the annual SCE Bluegrass & Beyond! performances on Saturday, August 30th at 2:00 PM at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse on Leach Hollow Road in Sherman, CT and on Sunday, August 31st at 1 PM at the Kent Village Barns in downtown Kent, CT. The Kent performance will take place outside on the lawn, and concertgoers should bring their own chairs or blankets. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this spirited program of new and old favorites in the bluegrass tradition.

Leading the musical fun are SCE Artistic Director Eliot Bailen (trading in the cello for his first instrument, the guitar) and violinist/vocalist Reid Jenkins. Jenkins is a member of the hot young NYC folk/pop group The Morningsiders, who garnered national attention this spring when they were featured in Starbucks new ad campaign for their Teavana stores. Bailen and Jenkins will be joined by Ensemble musicians Susan Rotholz on flute and vocals and Peter Weitzner on bass, and a roster of talented area musicians including guitarist/vocalist Bob O'Connor, Jim Vogt on mandolin, Rob Brereton on dulcimer and Gary Di Giovanni and Moose Given on banjo.

Special thanks to the Kent Village Barn Shops and especially to Gifford's Restaurant for providing a great location for our Kent performances. Performances will take place rain or shine; in case of inclement weather on Sunday, look for the band in the parish house at St. Andrew's Church on Main Street in Kent. Admission is free, and no reservations are required. Call the Sherman Chamber Ensemble at 860-355-5930 for more information.