Spoken Word Blues at Orcas Center’s OffCenter Stage

Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit will perform at the Orcas Center Black Box on March 20

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 pm.

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.

Carolyn Cruso, who selected the performers for this Spotlight event, says: “Chris, in his many incarnations as a performer has kept me transfixed and/or laughing hysterically around many an Oregon Country Fair afterhours campfire with his wit, perceptive social commentary, and tender irreverence. 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 pm on Saturday, March 20. Tickets are $13 and $9 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.orcascenter.org or call or 360/376-2281 ext 1. Patrons should note that the OffCenter Stage has limited seated and if possible should purchase their tickets in advance.