Whoa! Listen up, Peeps. Here’s your chance to soak up as much Blackberry Winter Band music as you can possibly stand, culminating in a stellar performance of  the whole Enchillada, presented Saturday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. at the Licking High School Gymnasium. This last is a fundraiser for the small but mighty Licking Museum of Art and History, an endeavor which deserves our support.

One doesn’t immediately link the town of Licking with art and history, but we should, and here’s why.

First, the art, much of it contributed by a Licking high school alum who is repaying his childhood home for its merits as a childhood home by contributing very impressive pieces of art to the museum on a regular basis. I’m not going to reveal the museum contents, but they have some great stuff, and the collection is growing.

And then there’s the history. Licking got its name, you see, from the salt lick just outside of town which has been visited for at least the past 6,000 years by various tribes seeking salt. Then the pioneers arrived, stayed, and left behind all of their trash, er, artifacts, as well. The museum’s collection has been steadily growing, and has some very fun stuff.

Altogether a fine place to support. Come see us there for the full show. Along with opening group, the “Missouri River Band,” it promises a fine night of music and frolic.

If you can’t make the drive north, we’re doing the short version of the show at A La Carte on Friday night (Sept. 30) starting at 6 p.m. and going until 7:30; after which we will adjourn to the OACC gathering at Ananda Kanan to perform a few numbers for those folks, who will be doing their regular talent show Saturday and we can’t make it because we’ll be at Licking.

So really, there’s no excuse not to get your full dose of Blackberry Winter before we go on our month-long hiatus to get some other stuff done, dig the sweet potatoes and all that. Come on out and let us see your smiling faces on one or more of these splendid autumn nights.

Friday, Sept. 30:
6 to 7:30 p.m. A La Carte, on Court Square in West Plains
8:15 – 9 p.m. Ananda Kanan, at Ozarks Area Community Congress

Saturday
Licking High School Gymnasium
Show starts at 7 with Missouri River Band
<<<<BONUS!!  HOMEMADE PIE AUCTION!!>>>>>
8 P.M. THE MAIN EVENT: BLACKBERRY WINTER BAND
It’s a good cause. Don’t miss it. And if you must, send your $10 donation to:
Licking Museum of Art and History, 114 S. Main St., Licking, MO

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