Artist reception set at Upper Crust Oct. 19
The Upper Crust in Georgetown will host an exhibit of cigar box guitars handcrafted by Thom Allen Monday, Oct. 10 through Friday, Nov. 4. A reception to meet the artist is set for 12:30 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, when individuals will be able to discuss Allen’s craft and love of music. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the event.
Allen is a luthier craftsman. He makes Outta the Box guitars and other custom handcrafted cigar box guitars such as Diddley bows, canjos, strum stix and other unique stringed Instruments.
Although his fascination with guitars began over 40 years ago in his youth, Allen's more recent career as a luthier and his passion for cigar box guitars was the serendipitous result of health issues that forced his early retirement. An avid blues buff, he had admired the improvised, handmade instruments of early blues musicians and was particularly inspired by blues legend Lightnin' Hopkins. After mastering the traditional cigar box guitar, he soon began embellishing them, creating his one-of-a-kind musical art seen today. Ranging from classical to whimsical, each guitar is custom made, one at a time, and has its own unique personality and sound. To see his work, go to www.outtatheboxguitars.com.
Allen displays his work at music festivals and craft fairs throughout the region as well as The Blue Water Grill in Millsboro and Uncle Jon’s Soap and More and Urban Nectar, both in Berlin, Md.
The Upper Crust serves made-from-scratch baked goods, fair trade organic coffee, breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. For more information, contact bruce@theuppercrust.info or 302-856-2300.
