Natchez Festival of Music is proud to present not one, but two fascinating events on May 11th to celebrate the rich history of ragtime. Ragtime music holds a special place in the annals of American music from its humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its enduring influence on modern genres. Ragtime continues to captivate listeners worldwide.
Join us at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 11 at the Historic Natchez Foundation for an exciting lecture on the history of ragtime given by Dr. Frederick Hodges, concert pianist, and Oxford University-trained historian. Dr. Hodges’s presentation will cover the origins, development, and impact of this uniquely American musical genre and explore the roots of ragtime in early 19th-century African American music, its rise to international popularity in the early 20th century, and its enduring legacy. He will also discuss the lives and works of some of the most important ragtime composers and performers, such as Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Irving Berlin, and James P. Johnson.
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 | 10:00 A.M.
HISTORIC NATCHEZ FOUNDATION
108 S. COMMERCE ST., NATCHEZ, MS
ADMISSION: FREE
Then join us again in the evening…for classic ragtime piano music!
At 7:00 p.m. Dr. Hodges will take us “from Vaudeville to Broadway” for a solo concert that promises to delight the senses and stir the soul. This toe-tapping solo concert features ragtime-era classics by America’s greatest composers written for Vaudeville theaters, the Broadway Stage, and Silent Movies. He will also share stories about the history of ragtime and the stars who made it famous as he breathes new life into ragtime classics, transporting listeners to the bygone era of speakeasies and vaudeville halls. This concert is one that people of all ages will enjoy. So, come and immerse yourself in the melodious tapestry of ragtime throughout the entirety of the day.
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 | 7:00 P.M.
THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT STANTON HALL
401 HIGH ST., NATCHEZ, MS
ADMISSION: $25
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