Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit.  -  contributed photo
contributed photo
Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit.

Spoken Word Blues at Orcas Center’s OffCenter Stage


March 4, 2010 · 2:15 PM

  • 0
  • Print Story
  • Letter/Editor

As part of its Spotlight in the OffCenter series, Orcas Center presents Chris Chandler, a spoken word performer, and guitarist Paul Benoit on Saturday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Chris Chandler, a skinny, bald dynamo with the fire of a Baptist preacher, has joined forces with world-class roots and Americana guitar virtuoso Paul Benoit to create a show that is hilarious, entertaining, provocative and rabble-rousing. Through poetry, storytelling, short films, multimedia and folk music, they deliver vignettes about politics and modern culture in a style that is rooted in Americana and colored with the blues.

Chandler and Benoit have performed on thousands of stages working with such diverse figures as Allen Ginsberg, Mojo Nixon, Pete Seeger and Ani DiFranco.

“Chris, in his many incarnations as a performer has kept me transfixed and/or laughing hysterically around many an Oregon Country Fair after-hours campfire with his wit, perceptive social commentary, and tender irreverence,” said Carolyn Cruso, who selected the performers for this Spotlight event. “Some of you may remember when he performed here a few years ago at the Living Room presented by Dacia Youngren who went to high school with Chris. At that time he was playing with the fiery Ann Feeney who has shared stages with our own Sharon Abreu. Chris’s current musical partner Paul Benoit has played with many bands, including the cross genre Hanuman with Scott Law, Jarrod Kaplan and Tige DeCoster.”

Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 20. Tickets are $13 and $9 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit orcascenter.org or call or 376-2281 ext 1. Patrons should note that the OffCenter Stage has limited seated and if possible should purchase their tickets in advance.

Comment on this story.

Arts and Entertainment Blogroll

  • Eth-Noh-Tec: Kinetic Story Theatre
    Tales from master storytellers Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, founders of Eth-Noh-Tec.
  • Notes from the Kelp
    San Juan Island composer Alex Shapiro blogs about life, memories, area ecology and more. Recent posts describe her first ever crabbing adventure, in an aluminum canoe no less, watching orcas from Lime Kiln park, and the plastic farm animals in her neighbors yard.
COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

blog comments powered by Disqus