Matthew Gurnsey: the Kilted Man to Perform at Lamar Public Library

Courtesy Photo

The Lamar Public Library is pleased to announce the guest performance of MATTHEW GURNSEY on THURSDAY, JUNE 30th@ 1:30 pm!

The Kilted Man has played a ridiculous number of libraries, all over the United States (including Hawaii!). Entirely self-contained and able to put on a program with only electricity and a great deal of personally generated energy, he loves performing for these audiences in all types of available library spaces.

His specialized educational programs entice young and old to experience the wonders of their local library. Reduced rates for libraries make this an opportunity that will reasonably fit a library’s adult or children’s programming budget.

Popular programs include:

The Ballad as History
Long before Twitter, before newscasts, before radio broadcasts, before “Extra, extra! Read all about it!” and even before the printing press . . . there were ballads. Matthew Gurnsey brings his audience back in time hundreds of years with his “Ballad as History” set. Go back to a time when the news was delivered not on your cell phone, but via troubadours and bards telling tales and singing songs of far distant lands and important points in history. Hear of great battles, mighty kings, brave knights, and of course true love in this enchanting step back into history.

Instrument Education & History
How exactly do you play a bowed psaltery? What IS a bowed psaltery? How about a Bodhran? Why are they called “Bones” in Ireland? How does a concertina work? What’s the oldest instrument? Matthew answers these and many more questions in an interactive outdoor performancemusical session featuring many of his ancient and unique instruments. For each instrument, he leads a discussion, answers questions, and demonstrates the attributes and features. Fun for all ages, this is an informative and exciting session long remembered!

Other available programs include Irish, Scottish and Celtic music presentations, and Celtic love songs and ballads.