(EDITOR'S NOTE: The performance was ultimately canceled.)
State College native Eric Ian Farmer will travel to Williamsport to perform on the Community Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 16.
The Penn State alumnus, raised in North Carolina and returning to his roots, has entertained audiences at Happy Valley’s Got Talent and Penn State’s Got Talent, both popular regional competitions, and recorded a live album at The Attic at The State Theatre in State College.
Farmer performs mostly in central Pennsylvania, sharing songs about relationships, social awareness and finding one’s path. The singer-songwriter garners inspiration from such well-known artists as Bobby McFerrin, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.After several years of teaching high school, Farmer earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Penn State. Although no longer in the classroom, he views his work in music as an extension of his role as an educator: entertaining audiences with his music, but also drawing sharp attention to critical issues in our society today. Farmer also travels to schools and uses music to explore and discuss social issues.
"Exuding a positive and hopeful tone throughout the performance, Eric demonstrated an incredible voice that ranged from hearty to delicate, bold, clear and concise," a reviewer wrote after one of his shows. "You could feel every consonant, vowel and syllable he sang!"
Farmer will perform songs in both English and Spanish, accompanied by Venezuelan singer/songwriter Ady Martinez. Farmer's lineup also features veteran musicians on the Central Pennsylvania scene: Andrew Jackson (percussion), Eli Byrne (saxophones/flute), Elizabeth Webb (vocals) and Mickey Klein (electric bass).
Tickets, priced at $25 each, are available at the Arts Center website.