Williams College President Hosts Free Summer Concert Series

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, executive assistant; tele: 413-597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., June 28, 2019—Celebrate summer with family, friends, and world-class live music on the campus of Williams College, where President Maud S. Mandel and her family will host an outdoor summer concert series on the President’s House lawn. Open to all members of the community, the free concerts will be held on select Monday evenings at 6 p.m. in July.

“Since moving to Williamstown a year ago, my family and I have felt overjoyed by the warm welcome we’ve received from the community,” Mandel said. “As a family of music lovers, we thought there’s no better way to express our appreciation than by inviting folks to come over and enjoy phenomenal music outdoors together.”

The first concert will feature the swinging sounds of The Lucky 5 on July 8, followed by a second concert with acclaimed folk artist Dom Flemons on July 29. Guests are welcome to bring picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs; however, large items such as tents or umbrellas are discouraged. In the event of inclement weather, please check the Williams College website for updates.

About the Artists

Based in Great Barrington, Mass., The Lucky 5 blends swing and gypsy jazz to create a unique, foot-stomping blend of music that appeals to a wide range of music lovers. The group performs original compositions as well as offers a fresh spin on traditional jazz standards. Comprised of highly seasoned touring musicians—Jonathan Talbott (violin), Don Mikkelsen (trombone), Matt Downing (bass), Kip Beacco (guitar and vocals), and Will Carroll (drums)—The Lucky 5 has traveled, performed, and recorded with renowned artists such as Peter Gabriel, Tony Bennett, Neko Case, Iris Dement, Bobby Previte, Del McCoury, Jim Lauderdale, among others.

Co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning folk group Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dom Flemons is a music scholar, historian, and a multi-instrumentalist. A gifted banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, and rhythm bones player, he is known as “The American Songster” since his musical repertoire covers over 100 years of American folklore, ballads, and tunes. He appeared as bluesman Joe Hill Louis on CMT’s original television show “Sun Records,” and he earned two Emmy nominations for his work for the PBS episode “Songcraft Presents Dom Flemons” and for the song “Good Ole Days” co-written with songwriter Ben Arthur. Flemons’ 2018 album titled “Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys” released on the Smithsonian Folkways label received a Grammy nomination for “Best Folk Album.” This recording is part of the African American Legacy Recordings series, co-produced with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

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For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Communications 413-597-4277. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/map

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Published June 28, 2019