OXFORD – Each year, 6 On The Square’s (6OTS) “Local Talent Night” features some of the gifted musicians who have appeared at their Open Mic. This year, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., 6OTS is featuring two creative singer/songwriters whose music and lyrics draw upon their life experiences. Both accomplished women, Jacqui Rayne and Melissa G. Clark, are warm and down-to-earth and in this intimate setting it will feel as if they’re your friends performing … very talented ones.
Folk singer Jacqui Rayne originally hails from “across the pond,” but Greene has been her home now for many years. Her melodic voice and soulful, heartfelt writing touches everyone in the audience. Many of you will remember Jacqui from the Songwriter’s Circle she led at the Night Eagle, helping those attending find their muse with her unpretentious style and nature. Jacqui studied at the Liverpool School of Music and toured England, Ireland and many other parts of Europe. She has taught music theory and guitar to children and adults and was the Community Arts Coordinator for Ballindereen Co. Galway. In 1998, Jacqui moved to the U.S. and has been juggling family and farming with writing and playing music ever since. She has opened for acts such as Cherish the Ladies, Foster and Alan, Maura O’Connel and others.
Melissa G. Clark of Hamilton, plays acoustic guitar and covers the classics: classic rock, jazz, blues, and folk in a flat and finger picking method. In her own original music, however, all these genres are cleverly woven together and she sings them in a clear voice with an easy-going style. Melissa’s unique melodies may haunt you and her pointed lyrics will make sense and may deeply move you. Add her strong rhythms and you won’t be able to keep your feet still.
Purchase tickets on-line at the discounted price of $8 until the day of the show; $10 at the door. Ticket price for Students is always $2; please call to make a Student reservation! Doors open at 6:30.
While you’re there or before the show be sure and see the O’Keefe and Mason Retrospective exhibit. This is a diverse art show featuring the many photographs taken by Bob O’Keefe in his world travels; paintings by June Mason and her mother Florence Freud, in oil, acrylic, and watercolor; and select fabric pieces by Martha O’Keefe. The O’Keefe and Mason exhibit will be on display until Feb. 27. Doors are open one-hour before and during performances.
Upcoming performances: Adirondack singer, Chris Shaw (returns) Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.; RUNA - March 13 at 3 p.m.; and Cliff Eberhardt, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open one-hour prior to show time. Visit the website at www.6onthesquare.org for tickets and future event information.
6 On The Square, Inc., is located at 6 LaFayette Park in the heart of downtown Oxford. Phone: 843-OTS6 (6876).