Farnham to play at the Crouch

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
The Crouch Auditorium will be the scene of the second concert of the Weston County Concert Association 2019-20 season. The artist taking the stage on Sunday, Nov. 17, will be composer-musician-comedian Jason Farnham. The concert starts at 3 p.m.
“A lover of fine shenanigans and general tom-foolery” is how Farnham describes himself on his Facebook page. Artsmidwest.org likens his act to Victor Borge meets Beethoven on steroids. But, however you want to describe Farnham, one word is always said: fun.
Farnham’s stage act has plenty of humor and audience interaction. Farnham often is seen switching between his grand piano and his toy piano. He has been compared, tongue in cheek, to Schroeder from Peanuts. But it is his ability to play piano upside down, or backward, in many genres of piano music that sets him apart from his peers. With a variety of music, including bossa nova, blues, stride piano, jazz standards, original compositions, and classical music (with his unique twist), there is sure to be something for everyone. 
Numerous video clips are available on YouTube. The audiences have a great time laughing and singing along with  Farnham as he plays the “Peanuts Theme” or “Great Balls of Fire.” His upside-down and backward rendition of the Can-Can is always a crowd pleaser. But Farnham’s natural charm and banter with his audiences keep him a crowd favorite wherever he plays.
Arts council membership prices are $10 for students, $40 for adults, or $85 for a family. For more information on this or other concerts during the 2019-20 season, contact Ryan Whipple at (406) 781-6260, or you can purchase passes at A-1 Agency, First State Bank, or Pinnacle Bank.