By Marilyn Delk
DCCA News
Darke County Center for the Arts Coffee House Series was created to present performing artists in small venues, providing opportunity for local audiences to, at an affordable cost, sample appealing food offerings in a comfortable welcoming atmosphere while enjoying first-class entertainers who may not (yet) be famous. DCCA’s 2024-2025 Coffee House season begins soon, offering a variety of outstanding artists performing in inviting intimate settings.
On Thursday, October 17, singer/songwriter/guitarist Diana Chittester will fittingly perform her intimate music on stage at Greenville’s Beanz Buttercream Bakery. Described as an “intelligent songwriter” and “endearing storyteller” who engages in “fierce guitar acrobatics,” the Cleveland-based artist during the last decade has been building a strong reputation while releasing a series of albums that communicate deeply personal, yet universal feelings. She has shared the stage with Lyle Lovett, Gin Blossoms, Joan Osborne, and others while performing at venues across the eastern United States and Canada.
Contrasting with the quiet power of the opening concert, effervescent eighth-generation Louisiana Creole Terrance Simien will bring his Grammy-winning Zydeco Experience to Montage Cafe in Greenville on Thursday, November 7. Terrance and his merry band of extraordinary musicians, among the most respected and accomplished artists in American Roots music, have performed nearly 10,000 concerts and toured millions of miles to over 45 countries during their highly successful career, including several previous fondly-remembered shows in our community. The energy exuded by this group leads to enthusiastic clapping, spontaneous dancing, and a pure joy that will resonate long after the music ends.
Siusan O’Rourke, another artist whose music will be remembered long after the last song is sung at her upcomingconcert, will be sharing her own brand of American Roots, Blues, and Folk at The Coffee Pot in Greenville on Thursday, December 5. Touring in support of her soon-to-be-released CD, the daughter of a first-generation Irish-American and an English emigre from Barbados possesses an astounding voice along with a deep appreciation for the music of her culture as well as love for all musical genres. Her warm presence connects with audiences as she sharesher songs and stories in a warm voice described as having “a timbre to warm the coldest heart.”
Musical chameleon Doug Hamilton, a classically trained violinist who is drawn to the improvisatory styles of folk, blues, and jazz, finds himself at home in almost any musical environment, making him a frequent participant in severalpast editions of DCCA’s Coffee House Series as part of many different musical configurations including the Lisa Biales Trio. In this incarnation, Doug teams with two others to form the Doug Hamilton Trio, which on Thursday, April 10, will fill the cozy space of Arcanum’s Wayne Trail Historical Society with vigorous rhythms and delicate harmonies showcasing individual talents as well as displaying cohesive unity.
The Coffee House Series season will close with a return visit from The Russian Duo who will bring their talent and charm to the always charming Union City Arts Depot. Oleg Kruglyakov is a balalaika virtuoso from Siberia who has teamed with American concert pianist Terry Boyarsky to form this unique creative endeavor celebrating Russian culture. Oleg, a folk musician who plays with the precision of a classically trained artist and Terry, a classically trained musician who delivers the freedom and spontaneity found in folk music, celebrate the entire span of music with joy and exuberance—music ranging from tango to songs by Ukranian composers to bluegrass to virtuosic variations.
Coffee House shows start at 7 p.m. Purchase your tickets to experience this bounty of music by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or www.darkecountyarts.org or at DCCA’s office located within Greenville Public Library. DCCA office hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m.
