International guitar duo to perform for free at Magdalene Fayetteville event

International guitar duo Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave. in Fayetteville.

The event is an introduction and fundraiser for Magdalene Fayetteville, a project that will provide a home and sanctuary for healing and recovery for women who’ve survived childhood abuse, violence, prostitution, trafficking, addiction, arrest, and incarceration.

Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb

Courtesy

Magdalene Fayetteville’s first home will house six women for two years and will provide safety, acceptance, and access to medical and dental care, therapy, education and job training free of charge.

The project is modeled after the Magdalene house in Nashville, Tenn., founded by Rev. Becca Stevens in 1997. Magdalene Nashville houses over 30 women and runs Thistle Farms, a $1 million social enterprise providing employment and job training to Magdalene residents and graduates.

Barrigar and Mazengarb first met in 2005 at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp where they spent a few days working with Tommy Emmanuel. They met again in 2009 at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention, and that set the stage for their first performance as a guitar duo.

Loren and Mark share a unique musical chemistry and stage presence seldom found among musicians. Influenced by Americana, Jazz, Country Western and Classical music, Loren and Mark’s unique style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.

Inmate portraits from local photographer Andrew Kilgore will be on display Friday night at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Todd Gill, Flyer staff

Local favorite Shannon Wurst will open the show. Wurst works closely with the NWA Prison Story Project and will be performing songs that she has co-written with incarcerated women in the program.

A photography exhibit with work from renowned photographer Andrew Kilgore will be on display, featuring photos of some of the women who have participated in the NWA Prison Story Project.

Entrance to the event is free. Wine, beer and light snacks will be available with a suggested donation. Parking and entrance to the event is located behind the church in the large lot just off College Avenue between Dickson and Spring streets.

For more information, call Kathy McGregor at 479-871-4875.