Swamp Opera plays Clatskanie Arts Series

As aptly put by Sydney of Oysterville: If you can't quite wrap your head around the meaning of "swamp opera" and you are not sure how to pronounce Skamokawa, you

don't want to miss this performance!! The Skamokawa Swamp Opera is a folk band made up of Wahkiakum Countymusicians founded in 2013.They are known for their vocal harmonies and varied instrumentation featuring guitar, banjo, cello, mandolin, mandocello, harmonica, and percussion. For this upcoming program they will be focusing on songs by and about the people of the lower Columbia River, including original songs as well as creative arrangements of songs by other local artists such as Mary Garvey, Brian Mathusek and Kerrie McNally. Andrew Emlen makes music as a composer, singer, and player of many, many instruments – cello, mandocello, banjo, guitar and sometimes a Jews Harp in F#. Andrew has a way of gathering other like-minded (serious, zany, talented, learned) musicians together and making music of an infinite variety. His cohorts in the Swamp Opera are Kyleen Austin (guitarist, composer, and the opera connection), Erik Friend (multitalented percussionist, tenor, mandolin player) and Wren Hendricks (guitar player, and singer). Kyleen traveled in her kayak from Alaska back to Skamakawa with her guitar as a trusty sidekick. You can spot Andrew cruising along on his bicycle in any kind of weather. These troubadors certainly understand the Pacific NW swampness. One of our favorite sections of the Wahkiakum Eagle is the Sheriff's Report. The talent it takes to put the report to music is certainly worth the price of admission. You might even recognize yourself in one of their songs. A fabulous show you won't want to miss.

Tickets: Adults $20; Seniors (60+) and Students $18; Children $15.

Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org or at the door the day of the concert.