Submitted Photo Celtic guitarist and storyteller Jerry Barlow will present a concert at the Minot Public Library.

Following an extended pandemic-related break, live music and art are coming back to the Minot Public Library (MPL). In 2019, the Library and the Minot Area Council of the Arts (MACA) launched “Arts in the Library” featuring a live concert and featured artist once a month.

After a 20-month break and following a successful re-branding of the summer concert series as “Arts in the City,” MACA Executive Director Justin Anderson is excited to be offering “Arts in the City – Sundays at the Library” beginning on Sunday, Oct 3, at 6 p.m. Anderson said “We are really excited to start concerts in the library back up this year. It is such a fun and unique space to showcase music and art.”

While Arts in the City emphasizes local artists, MACA and MPL are excited to welcome a visiting musician to kick-off the Sundays at the Library series. Jerry Barlow, a Celtic guitarist and storyteller, is returning to Minot for his third performance at the Minot Public Library. As a touring performer, Barlow travels throughout the Midwest, South and Rocky Mountain regions presenting his program of music, history, and humor from the British Isles. Before the closing of the border, Barlow spent several weeks in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where he learned a smattering of Gaelic and marveled at the history of the Great Clans. He has included some Cape Breton-style step-dance music in his program!

Barlow’s program features music and stories from a time when there were “Warriors, Wizards, Castles and Kings.” The stories behind the music are historical in nature, embellished by local legend and lore. There will be ample opportunity for some toe-tapping, some sing-along and even some step-dancing if you are so inclined.

“We’re excited to continue the momentum of Arts in the City this fall and winter with our Sundays at the Library,” Anderson said. This summer, MACA hosted more than 5,100 people at 27 concerts. “The mission of MACA is to support and advance the full range of arts for all ages and abilities, and being able to partner with one of our members to offer this free concert series to the public is an excellent opportunity.”

Arts in the City – Sundays at the Library will be held the first Sunday of every month through April (except January) at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the library. In addition to live music, each Sunday will showcase a featured artist.

Anderson is glad to have Jerry Barlow back in Minot and opening Sundays at the Library. “I had the opportunity to see Jerry in concert when he’s been in Minot previously and he really brings traditional Celtic tunes alive by sharing the history, legend and humor behind the music.”

Barlow’s next CD, to be released in early 2022, is “Of Warriors, Wizards, Castles and Kings,” and features music from his program as well as traditional favorites. His recording, “Fields and Fences,” was one of five finalists for the Instrumental Album of the Year Award by the Independent Music Awards. The Indie Acoustic Project selected “Bring Down The Storm” as one of the best songs of 2006.

Music from Barlow’s recordings can be heard on National Public Radio stations. He has been featured in Fingerstyle Magazine and was profiled in Celtic Connection. He has performed for the Alliance Arts Council in Alliance, Neb., High Plains Public Radio’s Living Room Concert Series in Amarillo, Texas, and a multitude of arts centers and libraries along the way.

For more information on Library events and services visit the MPL website at www.minotlibrary.org, call 852-1045, or follow the Library on Facebook and Instagram. Additional Minot area arts events and information can be found on the MACA site at www.minotarts.org and more information about Jerry Barlow can be found at www.jerrybarlow.com.