Ben Wheeler | Speaking of Music | Key City Public Theatre

Playing May 10, 2024 (7:00 PM)

All tickets $35

This is a musical show-and-tell performance presented on the most intimate of instruments, the classical guitar.

We will savor inspired compositions for the classical guitar from Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. We will explore guitar acoustics and techniques, hemiola and bossa beat patterns, and melodies fashioned by history, heartbreak, celebration, lush tropical forests, and urban bustle.

This music is seasoned with the myriad influences on South American composers for the classical guitar, from colonialism and indigenous culture, to nationalism, democracy, and dictatorships, to blacksmithing and improvisation on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Featured composers include Antonio Lauro, Augustin Barrios, Dilermando Reis, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Jorge Morel and Joao Pernambuco.

Ben Wheeler is a Seattle native who started playing classical guitar at age 10. Alongside a 40 year career as a classroom teacher, school administrator, curriculum developer, and wilderness guide, Ben has played both classical and jazz guitar professionally in a wide range of venues in California and Washington. He is a regular with the eclectic Seattle group, Jazz Hands, featuring original adaptations of gypsy jazz, bossa nova, blues, Latin jazz and standards. Ben also performs in enchanting, unique jazz duos: guitar/voice, guitar/guitar, guitar/vibes, and guitar/accordion. During the pandemic Ben played a series of six live-streamed classical guitar concerts, each benefitting a different non-profit organization. He is also a volunteer musician, sharing classical guitar music with Hospice patients. Ben’s jazz and classical guitar offerings have regaled audiences for concert stages, house concerts, weddings, private parties, festivals, restaurants, pubs, cocktail bars and retirement homes.

Co-Directed by Tom Challinor

Partially Funded By:

Box Office hours
Thursday/Friday 1PM-5PM

boxoffice@keycitypublictheatre.org
(360) 385-5278

Email and phone inquiries will be responded to within 48 hours.

Full Bar: Craft cocktails, cider & beer on tap, wine & champagne, assorted beverages and snacks.