october, 2019

18oct(oct 18)8:00 pm20(oct 20)6:00 pmCharlie MusselwhiteEgyptian Theatre

egyptian-theatre-company-park-city-mussel-white

Event Details

With an induction into the Blues Music Hall of Fame, 35 Blues Music Awards (including three wins in 2014!) and 11 Grammy nominations (including a 2014 win!), American electric blues harmonica player and bandleader Charlie Musselwhite has truly earned legendary status as one of blues music¹s most important artists.

One of the non-black bluesmen who came to prominence in the early 1960s (alongside Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield, among others), Musselwhite was reportedly the inspiration for Dan Aykroyd’s character in The Blues Brothers. He was born in Mississippi but spent his formative years in Memphis, TN during the period when rockabilly, western swing, electric blues and other forms of African American music were combining to give birth to rock and roll. Musselwhite supported himself by digging ditches, laying concrete and running moonshine in a 1950 Lincoln automobile. This environment was Musselwhite¹s school for music, as well as life, and where he acquired the nickname “Memphis Charlie.”

In true bluesman fashion, Musselwhite then took off to Chicago, where he continued his education on the South Side, making the acquaintance of even more legends including Lew Soloff, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Big Walter Horton. Musselwhite immersed himself completely in the musical life, living in the basement of Big Joe Williams and forging a lifelong friendship with JohnLee Hooker. In time, Musselwhite led his own blues band and in 1966 released the legendary “Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite’s Southside Band.” Since then, Musselwhite has released over 25 albums, as well as guesting on albums by many other notable musicians including Bonnie Raitt, INXS, Tom Waits and The Blind Boys of Alabama, among others. Musselwhite recently teamed up with Ben Harper on “Get Up!” — the long time coming collaboration that took home the Grammy for Best Blues Album in 2014.

Time

18 (Friday) 8:00 pm - 20 (Sunday) 6:00 pm

Location

Egyptian Theatre

328 Main Street, Park City

Organizer

Egyptian Theatre CompanyLive theatrical performances have long been a centerpiece of Park City's culture. In the late 1800's, the ornate Park City Opera House was located near our current site. On a warm June night in 1898, fire roared downhill from the American Hotel and quickly consumed most of the town, including the Opera House. In a Determined effort to restore live theatre to the town, the Dewey Theatre soon opened its doors in 1899 on the site of what is now the Egyptian Theatre. The Dewey remained a popular cultural center until its roof collapsed under a record-breaking snowload in 1916. In 1922 new construction began on the site of the old Dewey Theatre. Influenced by the recent discovery of King Tut's tomb, The Egyptian Theatre opened on Christmas Day, 1926. Supervised by an Egyptologist, The Egyptian Theatre was adorned with lotus leaf motifs, scarabs, hieroglyphics and symbols of life and happiness. Park City was once again flush with a first class showplace, this time for films and live performances. The Theatre operated as a community gathering place from that day forward. The Theatre changed names multiple times, and had minor modifications made each time. The Theatre continued to anchor live performances and film screenings on historic main street. With the rebirth of Park City as a ski and resort town in the 1960's, an increasing population of locals and tourists came to town. The Egyptian - then known as The Silver Wheel Theatre - continued to present live theatre and film, old fashioned "meller dramas" were the most consistent fare. By 1978 the building's architectural integrity was again threatened. Preservation of its distinctive Egyptian features was necessary. Through much local effort, fundraising, and the presence and support of Mrs. Fields Cookies Headquarters, the building was refurbished and became home to Park City Performances in 1981. Live theatre and performances of all genres were again presented on the boards of the theatre. That same year, The US Film and Video Festival - later renamed The Sundance Film Festival moved to Park City with The Egyptian Theatre as the original home. In the mid 1990's, the building was in need of major repair and renovation. Save Our Stage Foundation was formed by a few community-minded individuals who raised funds for a major facelift to restore the building to its former glory. Today, the Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre hosts a variety of theatre, comedy, musical acts, special events, community functions and more. The Egyptian Theatre continues to function as a landmark venue on Park City's Main Street while retaining the distinctive flavor of years gone by, much like Park City itself.(435) 649-9371 BoxOffice@ParkCityShows.com

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