(Posted Sept. 29, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Bluegrass and barbecue are a classic duo, and two class acts have teamed up to bring the combo to London.
From 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 14, the London Visual Arts Guild and the Madison County Historical Society will host an evening of live music and tasty food at the London Community Center, 20 S. Walnut St.
Admission is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Phat Daddy’s Pizza, 15 E. First St., London, or at Gallery On High, 5 E. High St., London.
Banjo player Glenn Parks takes the stage at 5:15. The bluegrass band Strung Up, a favorite throughout south-central Ohio, performs from 7 to 9.
Meals are $5 and include a barbecue sandwich, chips and a cookie.
Proceeds benefit the Arts Guild and the Historical Society. Individuals who belong to both organizations helped to get the idea rolling.
“We decided it would be a good thing to try for both of our groups and easier to do together as far as organization and help,” said Jim Donohoe, a member of both groups.
He noted, too, that John Victor, a member of Strung Up, is no stranger to the Arts Guild and London. Last year, his oil and acrylic paintings were featured in an exhibit at the guild’s gallery. The band also played at the gallery later in the year to an overflow crowd.
The London Visual Arts Guild operates Gallery on High and Studio 7 on High Street in London. The non-profit promotes art and art education through exhibits, classes, workshops, outreach programs and social activities. Area artists are welcome to work on their craft during open studio hours every Tuesday night.
The guild relies on memberships dues, donations and fundraisers to cover facility maintenance costs, utility bills, equipment and supply purchases, college scholarships, and scholarships that allow area children to take classes at the studio. Go to www.londonvisualartsguild.org to learn more.
The Madison County Historical Society, 260 E. High St., London, offers the public a chance to take a trip through the county’s past via museum tours, pioneer camps, school visits and special events. The grounds feature not only a museum but also a caboose, one-room school house, early settler Jonathan Alder’s cabin, and a two-story log house.
Like the Arts Guild, the Historical Society relies on member-ships, donations and fundraisers to operate and maintain its facilities. The group recently patched the museum roof and graveled the driveway. Next up is repair and restoration work on the log cabin. The museum is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. For more information, call (740) 852-2977.
