McALESTER —
If home really is where the heart is, then Michael Ginsburg is back home.
Although he grew up in Pennsylvania, Ginsburg said he fell in love with the McAlester area when he first moved here four years to complete a program at Narconon Arrowhead.
Now, he’s ready to continue giving back to the city which he said gave so much to him.
Ginsburg, an outstanding violinist and fiddler who won the Oklahoma State Fiddle Champion contest after competing in 2007 will be joining renowned fellow fiddler Jana Jae for a concert at the Masonic Center in McAlester set 7 p.m. on Oct. 23.
Jae, who is probably best-known for her appearances on television’s long-running “Hee-Haw” program, plays in a variety of styles.
The concert will benefit Pride in McAlester’s efforts to renovate the Okla Theater in downtown McAlester.
During their Oct. 23 concert, Jae and Ginsburg plan on playing a variety of musical styles.
Although the two previously performed on the same concert stage during a benefit for United Way several years ago, this time Ginsburg and Jae plan on playing a number of duets, along with their solo performances.
“We’re playing some country, some twin fiddle gypsy violin music as well as some classical music,” Ginsburg said. Also look for traces of western swing and bluegrass, as well as some old-fashioned fiddle breakdowns as the two explore a number of musical idioms.
They will be joined by other musicians during segments of the concert.
Pianist Kathryn Brod plans on joining Ginsburg for some classical and jazz selections.
Jae and Ginsburg will be performing with Jae’s band. McAlester Mayor Kevin Priddle, a guitarist who has performed with Ginsburg, will also be performing.
Jae and Ginsburg got to know each other when Ginsburg sought her advice before he competed in the Oklahoma State Fiddle Championships in 2007.
A classically-trained violinist, he wanted to learn more about playing “fiddle.” Although they are the same instrument, playing violin and playing fiddle calls for two completely different types of styles.
“I called her and she agreed to meet with me,” Ginsburg said. “She worked with me for about two hours.”
In the 2007 championship competition, Ginsburg played three songs, including a waltz, a breakdown and a polka — and won the state championship in the open division.
As a result of their friendship, Jae later traveled to McAlester for the United Way benefit performance with Ginsburg.
These days, in addition to performing around the city, Ginsburg also gives drug education programs in conjunction with Narconon and also gives privates lessons for both violin and fiddle players.
The Oct. 23 concert is in conjunction with the “Take McAlester Back” movement, which will feature several other activities on Oct. 22-23. They include a Skate Fest event on Oct. 22 and a 10-K run on Oct. 23.
Tickets for the Michael Ginsburg and Jan Jae concert are set to be available at the event, which has limited seating.
Advance tickets are available at the offices of Pride in McAlester, the McAlester Chamber of Commerce and McAlester Main Street.
Tickets are $20 general admission and $50 for special seating.
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Michael Ginsburg hits some hot licks on his violin while enjoying the outside weather. Ginsburg, a classically trained violinist as well as a previous Oklahoma state fiddle champion, is looking forward to performing with fellow fiddler and violinist Jana Jae during their Oct. 23 concert at the Masonic Temple in McAlester. Photo by Kevin Harvison
Home is where the heart is for McAlester violinist
- Local News
-
-
Top of the class
Seven McAlester High School seniors have been named valedictorian of the 2013 senior class, and one has been selected as class salutatorian.
-
Top of the class
Re’gan L. Boggs have been honored as valedictorian and Hayden D. Hopper as salutatorian at the 2013 Canadian School eighth-grade graduation May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Darrell James Gymnasium.
-
Top of the class
David Lenox has been honored as valedictorian and Paige Henninger as salutatorian at the 2013 Canadian High School graduation May 10.
-
City budget workshop Tuesday; sales tax revenue down again
A special budget workshop is planned for the McAlester City Council on Tuesday — as the latest information from the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s May report shows another decrease in the city’s sales tax receipts.
-
McAlester city manager reviews contract proposal from city council
McAlester City Manager Pete Stasiak said Friday he intends to sign a new one-year contract to continue in his post with the city — he just hadn’t done it yet.
-
43rd Annual Italian Festival
Dave and Yvette Martin are named the 43rd Annual Italian Festival Re and Regina May 18 at the Southeast Expo Center.
-
Re, regina set to be crowned Saturday during 43rd Italian Festival
Yvette and Dave Martin are well-known to many in the McAlester area — and come Saturday, they’ll have another title to add to their roster.
They’re the new re and regina for the 43rd Annual Italian Festival. -
TEAM benefit trail ride, lunch, ready for Saturday at Wildlife Refuge
It’s almost time to hit the trail — but there’s still time to cowboy and cowgirl-up and help out a horse-related organization known for its charitable work.
A benefit trail ride and lunch on behalf of the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester — also known as TEAM — is set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. The trail ride will be held at the James Collins Wildlife Management Area, which includes parts of Pittsburg and Latimer counties, northeast of Krebs. -
Can you say 'Buon Appetito'? Volunteers ready for Italian Fest this weekend
Plans are moving forward for this weekend’s Italian Festival — featuring a number of activities, along with food, arts, crafts, entertainment and the return of some popular favorites.
-
McAlester streets proposition passes by overwhelming margin
The city of McAlester’s propostion designed to gain financing for $12 million in street projects passed by an overwhelming margin Tuesday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
