JANUARY 5 | Jimmy Rogers
It’s as traditional as greens and black-eyed peas to have this local favorite kicking off our New Year! Welcome the new season with Jimmy and his high-energy combination of honky-tonk classics and originals.
FEBRUARY 2 | DOUGLAS BLUE FEATHER
Let the soothing sounds of the Native American flute sweep over you at the hands of this internationally known and award winning musician and flute maker. If you get so calm you fall asleep, he will consider it a compliment! Catch a sample at www.douglasbluefeather.com.
MARCH 2 | CLARK JONES TRIO
What’s a better way to celebrate the month of March than some great Celtic music! You’ll be saying ”Iontach!” before the concert is done! With Jude Jones on fiddle, Nancy Clark on harp, and Frank Clark on bohdran, this trio has played at the Cincinnati Celtic Fest, the Irish Heritage Center and national venues for years. We are happy to be added to their list of appearances for 2018!
APRIL 6 | EDDE OSBORNE
Edde returns as he brings his unique style of R&B Jazz and pop standards to flute and saxophone. A flawless and engaging performer, he has always been an audience favorite!
MAY 4 | US, TODAY
They’ve barely unpacked their suitcases from a first-time appearance at the revered SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas when they take the stage this month. We love watching the world discover what First Friday audiences knew all along…this is a totally incredible group! If you love inventive avant-garde blending of post-rock, minimalism, jazz and electronic music, you won’t want to miss this band!
JUNE 1 | QUEEN CITY SISTERS
The blend of these singers brings to mind the Andrews and McGuire sisters and although the Queen City Sisters aren’t related, their harmonies blend as if they have been singing together since the day they were born!
JULY 6 | BI-OKOTO AFRICAN DRUMS
Something different this month as we explore the intricate rhythms of West African drums and dancing. Both players and dancers will share history and techniques to help our audience enjoy this impressive experience!
AUGUST 3 | LAFFERTY PIKE
This all-girl bluegrass and gospel band is named for the winding road that traveled through Harrison Co. Kentucky where generations of Laffertys put down roots many years ago. This branch of the Laffertys moved “up north” to share their traditional, pure sound of the Kentucky heartland.
SEPTEMBER 7 | BY THE LIGHT OF TIFFANY
A first for First Friday! New York-based Ohio native Leanna Renee Hieber is not only a popular author of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels, but has recently written a one woman show on the life of Ohioan, Clara Driscoll, who designed some of Louis C. Tiffany’s most famous lamps and until recently remained relatively unknown. Come hear the debut of this fascinating story of an Ohio glass artist.
OCTOBER 5 | THE SHAKESPEARE BAND
Using historically accurate reproductions of period instruments to perform authentic music from the English Renaissance, the band recreates the music as Shakespeare’s audience would have heard it. Dress in your best Shakespearean outfit and win a prize!
NOVEMBER 2 | RICK GIBBS
Local vocalist/guitarist Rick Gibbs joins us with a wide range of musical offerings. Honoring our veterans this month, Rick will stir our hearts with patriotic favorites we love to hear and add in some all-American country hits! A sing-a-long might even break out! You never know!
DECEMBER 7 | HARPS OF GRACE
This harp ensemble returns to get our Christmas season off to a perfect start. The beauty of our sanctuary and the sound of a “mass choir of harps” will fill you with the wonders and joys of the holidays. Capture a moment of peaceful reflection to prepare you for all those holiday events filling our schedule this time of year!
*This concert series would not be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Barnitz Fund, Miriam Knoll Foundation, the Middletown Symphony Legacy Fund, and the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Middletown. Thank you for your support!!
(513) 423-4629
office@myfumc.net