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Musician Dave Ruch will present the songs, instruments and stories of the Erie Canal at Niagara History Center's `Soup and Song,` Saturday, Feb. 6.
Musician Dave Ruch will present the songs, instruments and stories of the Erie Canal at Niagara History Center's "Soup and Song," Saturday, Feb. 6.

'Soup and Song': Dave Ruch presents music and stories of Erie Canal

Submitted

Thu, Jan 14th 2016 12:55 pm

Performance Sponsored by NY State Council on the Humanities 

Combine Erie Canal music with hot, homemade soup and you have a perfect Saturday, right? Bring the family to the Niagara History Center, 215 Niagara St., Lockport, for "Soup and Song" from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. Teaching artist Dave Ruch will present "Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal," while a hot soup lunch is offered.

Ruch is known as an interpreter of Erie Canal era music for all ages. He often performs at local schools and Canalside in Buffalo, and kids and adults alike enjoy his music and humor.

Ruch will use audio of his own music and perform instrumental music to get participants singing and playing traditional Erie Canal songs. He'll demonstrate and teach instruments such as the washboard, bones, spoons and jaw harp, which harken back to the earliest Erie Canal days.

His program will also offer historical tales from his research into the music and life of the Erie Canal.

A singer and instrumentalist for 35 years, Ruch is a specialist in the performance of traditional and historical music and folklore of New York and North America. He released the solo CD "The Oldest Was Born First" in 2008. He also founded and has been a member of The Canal Street String Band since 2010, which has released two CDs.

Ruch gives more than 200 concerts and workshops each year for schools, libraries, music festivals, historical societies, museums and community events both at home and abroad.

He will appear through a grant with the New York State Council on the Humanities, as part of the public scholar program. Admission to Ruch's program, which follows lunch, is free.

Lunch will be served at noon and offer several varieties of hot soup, bread, desserts and beverages. A donation of $5 per person is requested.

Attendance is limited to the first 60 people. Make your reservations now by calling the History Center at 716-434-7433.

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