An Evening of Songs & Stories by PBS Host & Songwriter Eric Gnezda, with Special Guest Interviewer Sally Fingerett & Violinist Arkadiy Gips
Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm at the Columbus Museum of Art
Join award-winning singer-songwriter Eric Gnezda for a conversation with his good friend and fellow musician Sally Fingerett about his new book, Stories at the Center, as well as live performances of Eric's original songs with virtuoso violinist Arkadiy Gips!
Eric and Sally will discuss Eric's latest book, Stories at the Center, a memoir chronicling his unconventional path in the entertainment business, including creating and hosting the popular PBS original program, Songs at the Center, a nationally syndicated series that showcases the works of brilliant talents in the contemporary singer-songwriting field.
Highlighting Eric as a songwriter and author, this evening will also feature readings by Eric, an audience Q&A, and a book signing.
(Scroll down for event information and ticket options.)
About the Book
Stories at the Center
Chronicling Eric Gnezda’s unconventional path in the entertainment business, Stories at the Center is set against the backdrop of his lifelong passion for distance running as he jogs through the hometown he never left, reflecting on a journey of resilience, sacrifice, persistence, and artistic purpose.
From a childhood with a disabled father, through adolescence when he discovered his passion for songwriting, and into adulthood, he remains true to his dreams, all the while refining them with an openness to what life offers him. Ultimately, he creates and hosts the PBS series, Songs at the Center, which spotlights music legends such as John Oates, Janis Ian, and Ray Stevens, as well as emerging artists, giving voice to the unsung heroes of the music industry—the songwriters.
Blending humor, tension, and resolution, he explores a life devoted to serving others in an entertainment industry often driven by ego and money. His path is interrupted by the loss of loved ones, mistakes, and cultural resistance. He navigates his way through an increasingly transactional world, cherishing his family, nurturing friendships, and finding that investing in the dreams of others can lead to the fulfillment of one’s own.
About the Speakers/Performers
Singer-Songwriter & Author Eric Gnezda
Eric Gnezda is an award-winning singer-songwriter and the creator and host of Songs at the Center, a TV series that airs on over 400 PBS stations across the U.S. He writes and performs a wide range of songs, both serious and humorous—from inspirational anthems and love songs that touch the heart and soul to country tearjerkers and comedic/satirical numbers.
In addition to his performances on Songs at the Center, his songs have been featured on broad media, such as ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, Car Talk, and NPR's All Things Considered. His anthem, "Everyone Wins," has been used nationally to promote the Special Olympics, while "Blossoms of Hope" has been a favorite among cancer survivors through the U.S. and Canada.
Based in Ohio, Eric is a recipient of the Ohioana Citation for Music Composition and was named "Best Satirist of the Year" by Columbus Monthly magazine, which described him as "witty and caustic without being cruel." He was also a humor columnist for The Columbus Dispatch.
His book, Stories at the Center: A Memoir of Miles, Music, and Meaning, shares a childhood with a disabled father, through adolescence when he discovered his passion for songwriting, and into adulthood, where he finds that investing in the dreams of others can lead to the fulfillment of one’s own.
Interviewer Sally Fingerett
Sally Fingerett is a contemporary, award-winning songwriter and performer, author, textile artist, and a founding member of the musical comedy group, The Four Bitchin’ Babes. She has released 6 solo recordings, 9 Four Bitchin’ Babes cast recordings, and has participated and contributed songs to over 15 compilation recording projects, both commercial and benefiting various philanthropic organizations. She’s composed music and lyrics for the theatre, television and film. She taken her talents to more than 800 stages around the country.
As a 1990 Kerrville, TX New Folk Award Winner for songwriting, Sally’s composition “Home Is Where the Heart Is” has been recorded by folk legends Peter, Paul and Mary for their 1995 LifeLines CD/PBS special, and published in Contemporary Cabaret, a songbook that includes Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Weber. She has appeared in Putamayo’s Songwriter Festival at NY’s Carnegie Hall, and was a featured musical guest on Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know, NPR’s Mountain Stage, and CBS Sunday Morning. Singing for radio and TV, Sally has been the voice for Butterfinger, Hallmark, Sears, and A Star for Jeremy NBC. She is also the author of various short stories and essays, as well as the 2015 memoir The Mental Yentl: Stories from a Lifelong Student of Crazy.
Violinist Arkadiy Gips
Arkadiy Gips is a master violinist originally from Ukraine and now residing in Columbus. He was a featured musician on two of Madonna’s world tours, and brings his audiences a blend of folk, Gypsy, Americana, and country music.
Arkadiy began playing violin at the age of three, and at six, he was admitted to the School for Talented Children in Kiev and graduated from the Rostov Music Conservatory. Arkadiy became a well-known violinist in Eastern Europe, where he played with a variety of orchestras. His performances have included Ukrainian, Jewish, Gypsy, Hungarian, and Polish music.
In the U.S., Arkadiy has performed with many noted musicians, playing jazz and country in addition to ethnic and classical styles of music. Today, Arkadiy not only plays, but conducts, arranges, and composes music.
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‣ Main Event at the Columbus Museum of Art | 6:30-8:00 pm
Columbus Museum of Art (480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215)
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the program! Eric and Sally will discuss Eric's latest book, Stories at the Center, a memoir chronicling his unconventional path in the entertainment business, including creating and hosting the popular PBS series, Songs at the Center. The main event will also include live performances accompanied by virtuoso violinist Arkadiy Gips, readings from Eric, and audience Q&A.
‣ Book Signing | 8:00 pm
Purchase books and get them signed.
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‣ General Admission | $30
This ticket includes admission to the event and book signing.
Walk-in tickets will also be available at the event while space lasts. We strongly encourage you to register in advance.
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‣ Location
The event will take place at the Columbus Museum of Art (480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215).
‣ Parking
Parking is available in the museum’s lot for a flat rate of $10. Click here for a map (the main museum parking lot is highlighted in purple).
You may also park for free in Thurber House’s back parking lot (accessible off N. 11th Street and located here) or on the Jefferson Avenue oval. The museum is a short one block walk.
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All event areas have step-free access. To learn more about the venue’s accessibility, click here.
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For any questions that are not answered here, please email Jess Cox at jcox@thurberhouse.org or call 614-412-5955.
‣ Who is presenting this event? This is a Thurber House event that is being held at the Columbus Museum of Art.
‣ How will I receive my tickets? You will receive an email order confirmation containing your ticket(s). You can print or show your ticket(s) on your phone. If you are unable to do so, we will manually check you in.
‣ Can I order tickets by phone? Yes, although online orders are encouraged. To order by phone, call 614-412-5955.
‣ Can I purchase books and get them signed at the event? Yes, books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
‣ Will there be a bathroom? Yes, bathrooms will be available.
‣ What is your refund policy? All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
‣ What is the Columbus ticket fee? The total ticket price includes the Columbus Arts and Culture Fee as required by the City of Columbus. The Arts and Culture Fee provides public funds to support artists and arts/cultural organizations like Thurber House that educate and engage audiences of all ages. Click here for more information.
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Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.