Rev. Billy C. Wirtz concert May 18, 2007

The Washington Post called him a revved-up Robin Williams at a Steinway. Come to an evening of irreverent comedy and boogie-woogie piano blues with Rev. Billy C. Wirtz on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland Street. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students and $7 for those under 16. They can be reserved by calling (757) 259-4070. This is another in the librarys Dewey Decibel Concert Series.

From the moment he sits down at the piano and lights into his Southern old-time gospel and blues with a twist, the six-foot five-inch, goateed, tattooed, tongue-in-cheek "Rev" commands the stage and spreads the "gospel" like nobody's business. With puns flying as fast as his fingers, Wirtz plays masterly boogie-woogie and barrelhouse riffs while holding forth on subjects as diverse as W.W.E.D.? (What Would Elvis Do?), Mennonite Surf Parties, and dubious relationships between people you are terrified that you may actually know.

While widely recognized as a humorist, music is his forte. In the early 80s, he shared a walk-up with the late blues legend Sunnyland Slim, learning to appreciate the Blues and to perform it with fervor. A recognized musicologist, Billy has written about music, legendary performers and life on the road for publications Musician, Keyboard and, most recently, BluesWax. He is a regular contributor to the Charlotte Observer. Workshops on Blues and/or Gospel Music at festivals and universities have left students clamoring for more.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of programs.