OXFORD - It’s 6 On The Square’s birthday. The Oxford folk/acoustic venue will celebrate its 18th anniversary with fan favorite Vance Gilbert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

Gilbert was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Starting out hoping to be an R&B and jazz singer, he discovered his affinity for the storytelling sensibilities of an acoustic singer-songwriter. Word spread about Gilbert's stage-owning singing and playing, and Shawn Colvin invited him to be the special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour.

Thirty years into his career, Gilbert’s influence can be felt all over the contemporary folk and Americana realm as he has helped pave the way for many of the BIPOC artists who have followed.

Gilbert’s latest album — his 14th — is called "The Mother of Trouble,” and it features tales about four bullies, four deaths (three of them murders), three moms, two accidents, two Black people, two dogs, one dog ball, one gay kid and one missed flight thanks to gas station sushi. The songs benefit from the gifts of time and experience honing skills that put this most vital of acoustic storytellers at the top of the game.

Along with being opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny the mid-2000’s found Gilbert opening 150+ shows for comedian George Carlin.

Most recently, he’s been the opener of choice for “Mad About You”/“Stranger Things” star (and Binghamton University alumnus) Paul Reiser’s standup shows. Among his own busy acoustic music touring and coaching schedule, he hosts Vance’sMondayNightAcousticPajamaParty on YouTube. Having started in the first week of the pandemic in 2020, Gilbert has played a live, themed, 90-minute mixed bag of originals and cover tunes every week to a rotating following of about 200 folks. He donates 10 to 20% of his tip jar to a local 501(c)3 of his choice.

Tickets for the 6OTS performance are $25 in advance or $30 at the door; purchase at 6onthesquare.org or call 607-843-OTS6 (6876) to make a reservation. Doors open one hour before the start of performances. The concert also will be streamed live online for $10; more information at 6onthesquare.org.

Performances are supported in part by the R.C. Smith Foundation and by Earlville Opera House's Arts in the Community Grants Program, made possible by the NYS Legislature with support of the Office of the Governor, and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.

The anniversary show also will wrap up 6OTS’s spring fundraiser. As of June 10, the campaign has raised $13,500 of the venue’s $15,000 goal. 6OTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so any financial gifts are tax deductible.

Free summer concerts

A summer tradition returns! 6 On The Square will host free concerts at Lafayette Park in Oxford on the four Sundays in July: Stella Ruze (July 6), Dead to the Core (July 13), Simmerin' Stew (July 20) and Hair of the Dog (July 27).

All concerts start at 2 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket. In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside 6OTS. The summer series is sponsored by the R.C. Smith Foundation, Pete Perkins, NBT Bank, and Chenango County Tourism.

6 On The Square, Inc. is an intimate, not-for-profit, volunteer-based acoustic music listening room and arts venue located at 6 Lafayette Park in downtown Oxford.

- 6 On The Square