UPPER LAKE — On Saturday evening, the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake will host musical historian, storyteller and banjo master Gordy Ohliger as part of its 2012 series of Concerts with Conversation.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the informal concert takes place in the intimate Meeting House, which seats about 40, located next to the Hotel. The Tallman donates 10 percent of series revenue to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre Fund.
Based in Chico, Ohliger is often referred to as a musical Mark Twain. Gordy presents a wide range of American roots music played on the modern banjo, plus a variety of vintage instruments from 1830 to 1930.
A virtuoso on the modern four stringed banjo, much of Ohliger”s music was originally played on odd mandolin-ukulele-banjo hybrids. Ohliger plays all of these, plus a banjo-like instrument brought to America by African slaves.
Blue Wing Restaurant Executive Chef Nick Heidemann is planning specials for people wishing to reserve for dinner before the show.
At $25 plus tax, the price of admission includes coffee and cookies served at the concert venue.
Tickets can be obtained at the Tallman Hotel reception desk at 275-2244, ext. 0. Blue Wing dinner reservations can be made at 275-2233. Further information on the Tallman concert series is available at www.tallmanhotel.com/concerts.
