OXFORD — It’s 6 On The Square’s birthday. The Oxford folk/acoustic venue will celebrate its 19th anniversary with fan favorite Vance Gilbert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.

Tickets for the 6OTS concert are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. They can be purchased 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.

Vance 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 more than 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. Starting 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.

Performances are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Kathy Hochul, NBT Bank, and our 6OTS members.

Summer concerts

In July, 6OTS will host four free concerts in Lafayette Park (right outside 6OTS’s front door). Connie Kaldor will play on July 5, The Byrne Brothers on July 12, The Millstone Rounders on July 19 and Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band will finish out the series on July 26.

Free concerts start at 2 p.m. and will move inside in case of rain. Sponsors are the R.C. Smith Foundation, Pete Perkins, Chenango County Tourism, 6OTS members and donations from attendees.

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.