One taste of Bob Milne’s special brand of piano magic, and people come back time and time again.
Add to that some baked goods from the Pantry Shelf, and it is a recipe for world-class entertainment at the Century Church Theatre in Hillsburgh, as Milne returns for the eighth year.
Universally acclaimed as the best ragtime and boogie-woogie pianist on the planet, Milne is regarded as an American treasure. A PBS film crew followed him for a year to make a documentary of his concerts, typically over 200 a year, worldwide. The American Library of Congress is collecting memorabilia and making a film of a day in his life as part of the American Music Project, to be stored for posterity, along with such other American icons as the Declaration of Independence. Milne has been made an honorary citizen of Japan.
Along with his music, he shares stories of the great musicians who penned that music, and regales audiences with tales of his own adventures on the road as a journeyman piano-player. His CDs and books will be on sale at the theatre.
Milne will be playing two concerts on Oct. 16. There will be a one-hour show at 2:30pm, followed by a gourmet afternoon-tea with Milne, catered by The Pantry Shelf, of Hillsburgh. Saturday evening there will be a two-hour concert at 8pm. Tickets are $29 for either event, and may be reserved by calling the box office at 519-855-4586, or visit www.centurychurchtheatre.com.
