Mark Barden at THE FLAGPOLE RADIO CAFE Show on March 22.

SANDY HOOK RESIDENT MARK BARDEN IS GUEST ARTIST FOR THE FLAGPOLE RADIO CAFÉ

The Flagpole Radio Café continues its sixth season on Saturday, March 22 with Sandy Hook resident Mark Barden. Tickets are now on sale at www.flagpoleproductions.org . The show begins at 7pm at the Edmond Town Hall in Newtown, CT. Tickets prices are $25 for adults and $20 for senior citizens and students. If further information is needed, please contact info@flagpoleproductions.org .

Mark Barden began his career in Nashville studying with Reggie Wooten, working as a session musician, and touring with The Cox Family, Michael Martin Murphy, Doug Stone, Vern Gosdin, Vicki Bird, and Randy Stafford, among others. He also worked as a producer and sound engineer. Returning to the Northeast, he studied composition with the distinguished composer of American classical music John Corigliano, and began playing in several different bands, including that of jazz guitarist and former New York Yankee great Bernie Williams. Mark has also composed music for film, television, and radio. Mark often plays in the Newtown area with his current band Alternate Universe. Mark is also proud to have taught many young guitarists.

Mark lives in Sandy Hook with his wife and children. This past year, Mark has been working with Sandy Hook Promise to help find common-sense solutions to the problems at the intersection of gun violence and mental health.

"From our earliest shows, it has always been a goal of The Flagpole Radio Café to showcase accomplished and talented artists from Newtown," remarked Producer Martin Blanco. "We have wanted to have Mark Barden perform with us for some time. He is an outstanding guitarist, regularly works with some of our ensemble members, and has a strong following. We're so glad he can join us this month."

After four years of performances, The Flagpole Radio Cafe took a hiatus in the wake of the Sandy Hook Shootings of December 14, 2012. On that most terrible day, ensemble members Francine and David Wheeler lost their son Benjamin. The tragedy reunited the ensemble with Peter Yarrow, who produced A Family Concert of Caring, Healing and Togetherness at the Ridgefield Playhouse with the intent on bringing a measure of peace to the greater community as well as contributing to the broader movement for non-violence in our country. The ensemble, especially singer Francine Wheeler, was prominently featured in this presentation. A one hour version of this concert was subsequently broadcast on PBS in New York last summer, and recently appeared on PBS in Connecticut.

The ensemble comprises musicians Jim Allyn, Rob Bonaccorso, Rick Brodsky, Howie Bujese, Dick Neil and Francine Wheeler, and actors Martin Blanco, Barbara Gaines, Kate Katcher, and David Wheeler. Each show also features a musical guest artist and has included luminaries such as Livingston Taylor, Peter Yarrow, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Jonathon Edwards, Elisabeth Von Trapp, Christine Lavin, Deborah Henson-Conant, Patty Larkin, Vaneese Thomas, Roger Ball of The Average White Band, and Yale's internationally acclaimed male choir The Whiffenpoofs.