The Mystic River Historical Society will hold its annual Pot Luck Supper and Annual Meeting followed by a program presented by Rick Spencer, an internationally known sea music historian and performer.
Spencer will present The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America’s First Professional Songwriters, a program of compositions by four of the nation’s earliest popular songwriters. Songs by Dan Emmett, Stephen Foster, George F. Root and Henry Clay Work were known and loved by Americans on both sides of the War. These songs give remarkable insight into the character of the American people at the time of our country’s greatest and most divisive conflict. The program includes a discussion of the phenomenon of the American minstrel show and its cultural impact, both positive and negative, on our culture.
Spencer began his musical career as a staff musician and historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. While there, he and three other musicians formed the internationally recognized sea music group, “Forebitter.” After twenty years at Mystic Seaport, Spencer is currently the Executive Director of the Dr. Ashbel Woodward Museum in Franklin, Connecticut. He continues to give performances and programs on the history of music as well as his own songs.
Preceding the program, Society members and the public are invited to the annual Pot Luck Supper and Annual Meeting. Guests are invited to bring a dish to share, along with their own plates and silverware. Beverages will be provided. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. Both will be held at the Mystic Congregational Church Parish Hall at the corner of Broadway and East Main Street in historic downtown Mystic, and are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Mystic River Historical Society 536-4779, or email info@mystichistory.org.
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