Esbenshade Series

Esbenshade Series features Grammy winning musician Loudon Wainwright III

Marietta College has announced its highly anticipated 2024-25 Esbenshade Series, featuring a diverse array of acclaimed artists and performers. This season promises to deliver a mix of musical genres, poetry, and dance, including a performance by Grammy winner Loudon Wainwright III.

The popular series is made possible through funding by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, which provides annual income for the purpose of bringing lectures, performing artists, and programs of diverse nature to the campus and community at large. The endowed fund was established in 1980 by Harry H. Esbenshade Sr., and Harry H. Esbenshade Jr., husband and son, respectively, of the late Mrs. Esbenshade of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

"When you attend an Esbenshade performance, you will witness the work of a master," said Todd Burge, Esbenshade Series Director.

Other acts this season include performances by Sunny War and Chris Pierce on September 19, the Narrative Quintet featuring Adam Larson on January 16, 2025, Marc Harshman, Poet Laureate of West Virginia (accompaniment by Bob Thompson) on February 6, 2025, and lastly, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company on April 9, 2025.

Kicking off the season is the performance by Contemporary Blues and Folk musicians Sunny War and Chris Pierce at 8:00 p.m. September 19 in Marietta College’s Gathering Place. The two distinct yet equally captivating artists bring their own unique styles to the music scene. War is known for her gritty folk and blues-infused sound. She combines powerful storytelling with raw, emotive vocals and skillful guitar work. Her music often reflects her personal experiences and offers social commentary. Pierce is celebrated for his soulful voice and smooth blend of R&B, soul, and Americana influences. His rich, heartfelt performances and lyrical depth resonate deeply with audiences. Both artists, through their individual talents, contribute significantly to the diverse tapestry of contemporary music. Tickets are free and first-come, first-served the evening of the event.

Loudon Wainwright III first gained public attention in 1972 with the Top 20 hit “Dead Skunk.” While studying acting at Carnegie Mellon University, he decided to take part in the Summer of Love in San Francisco and wrote his first song, “Edgar,” in 1968. Initially signed to Atlantic Records and later Columbia, Wainwright has released over 27 albums, including the Grammy-winning "High Wide & Handsome." His songwriting has been praised by artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Johnny Cash. His 2022 album "Lifetime Achievement" demonstrates his evolving talent and blends diverse musical styles. In addition to his musical career, Wainwright has also excelled in theater, acting, and writing, contributing to projects such as "Surviving Twin" and films with Martin Scorsese and Tim Burton. 

The talented and prolific singer, songwriter and musician is scheduled to perform on Wednesday, October 23, in the Peoples Bank Theatre in downtown Marietta. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the concert starting at 8:00 p.m. The free tickets can be reserved starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 14^th at The Peoples Bank Theatre’s Box Office, online at www.peoplesbanktheatre.com, or by calling (740) 371-5152.

The Narrative Quintet featuring Adam Larson will perform in The Peoples Bank Theatre, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. and the performance starting at 8:00 p.m. Free tickets will be available through Peoples Bank Theatre’s Box Office starting on Monday, January 6, at 10 a.m. online or by phone. 

Larson, an American saxophonist, composer, educator and author, holds degrees in jazz performance from The Manhattan School of Music and was part of the vibrant New York City jazz scene for 11 years before relocating to Kansas City. Larson has held positions at UMKC Conservatory, University of Kansas and The Kansas City Art Institute. Larson currently teaches Entrepreneurship at KCAI.  

Larson continues to perform in NYC with some of the greatest musicians in the genre.  

As a guest artist, Larson has been invited to present masterclasses on music business, improvisation and composition at more than one hundred universities across the globe. He has recorded eight albums as a leader and maintains an active touring and clinician schedule, playing and presenting his original music and educational materials.

Marc Harshman, the Poet Laureate of West Virginia since 2012, is a distinguished poet and children’s author. His acclaimed children’s books include Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece and The Storm, which was recognized by the Smithsonian. His poetry collections, such as Woman in Red Anorak and Believe What You Can, have garnered prestigious awards like the Blue Lynx Prize and the Weatherford Award. His latest works include Dark Hills of Home and Following the Silence. In September 2023, Harshman was named the Appalachian Heritage Writer for 2024 by Shepherd University. He holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale, and the University of Pittsburgh. Beyond reading brief selections from his earlier poetry collections, as well as more extensively from his newest volume, Following the Silence, Harshman will take time to reflect upon what it has meant to be the poet laureate of West Virginia for over a decade. Additionally, he’ll offer a few observations upon the distinction of being both a children’s author, as well as a poet.  Time will be allowed for both formal and informal discussion following the reading. A portion of the evening will feature piano accompaniment by West Virginia Music Hall of Fame inductee Bob Thompson.

This event will be held in the Alma McDonough Auditorium in McDonough Hall on Marietta College’s campus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are free and first-come, first-served the evening of the event.

Rounding out the season will be a performance by the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, which has toured throughout the U.S. and globally on stages in Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia and South Korea. The event will take place in Peoples Bank Theatre at 8:00 p.m. April 9, with doors open to the public starting at 7:00 p.m. 

Founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for dancers of color, DCDC is now the 10^th largest modern contemporary dance company in the nation and remains rooted in the African American experience and committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage. A co-recipient of one of the dance world’s highest honors, the 2016 Bessie Award for Outstanding Revival, DCDC has been presented by American Dance Festival, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and supported by National Endowment for the Arts and New England Foundation for the Arts among others. The culturally diverse company is dedicated to exceptional performance and quality community engagement. 

Free tickets for this performance can be reserved starting at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 31st at The Peoples Bank Theatre’s Box Office, online at www.peoplesbanktheatre.com, or by calling (740) 371-5152.