Next Coffee Talk event looks at Woody Guthrie
The Des Plaines History Center will host the last Coffee Talk of 2023 at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, with "Woody Guthrie, Dustbowl Troubadour." The life, times and rough-and-tumble story of America's balladeer, Woody Guthrie, is brought to life by musician and presenter Barry Cloyd.
Guthrie's stories and songs chronicle America's human history of struggle, work and the hard-driving spirit that saw our country through the Dust Bowl, the Depression, World War II and the McCarthy era.
Cloyd is a consummate folk musician who brings all the passion of the man who wrote "This Land is Your Land," and hundreds of other songs that have become such a significant part of our national heritage, to life.
In this presentation, Cloyd portrays a boxcar riding hobo/friend named Gypsy Davey, telling Woody's entire life story from the point of view of someone who knew him before his rise to international notoriety.
"Woody Guthrie's songs are so well-known and iconic that it's easy to forget the heartfelt passion for America and the working class that his music chronicles," said Interpretive Curator Emma Marston. "Guthrie's legacy has inspired so many people, from other musicians to artists and activists, and I'm looking forward to hearing more of his story with Barry's performance."
Registration is required to attend. To register, call (847) 391-5399 or email contact@desplaineshistory.org. Any day-of availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The next Coffee Talk will be "The Golden Age of Hollywood with Louella Parsons" at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.