The Current Buzz Newspaper Two 1 | Page 9

ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ This museum kills fascists By Julie Wenger Watson TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa has been the proud home of the Woody Guthrie Center since 2013, collecting, exhibiting, and archiving all things Woody Guthrie-related in the heart of the Tulsa Art District near the corner of Brady & Boston. With education, outreach and performance the WGC is keeping this folk hero’s legacy alive and relevant. “Each museum is a different experience, and we want this one to be a hands-on, singing, dancing trip into the history of American music,” said Jerry Wofford, Education and Public Programs Manager for the WGC. “At our core, our mission is to educate and inspire.” Towards that end, the WGC offers after school and summer programs for school- aged kids. “We have students with some music proficiency come together to form bands, to learn how to play as a group and to write songs,” Wofford noted. “We have had several students come through the programs now, and they’ve had the chance to play for crowds, record their own songs and keep the band together after the program ended. That will start again in the spring.” The museum itself appeals to kids of all ages. “The interactive elements of the Woody Guthrie Center make it an exciting place for kids,” Wofford said. “When I lead tours for elementary and middle school students, we like to make sure everyone gets a chance at the large, interactive map wall, the songwriting stations, and to hear the few dozen Guthrie songs at the music bar. I like to trace their favorite current musicians back to the influence of Guthrie and others in the era. Drawing those connections helps to keep Woody’s influence alive.” third Saturday of every month, it’s a chance to hear music like you can’t hear anywhere else,” he noted. “We’ll also host an exhibit that features many items from the collection of Marty Stuart, which opens in January.” WGC will celebrate its 5 th Anniversary weekend in April with a week of activities, free music on Guthrie Green and programming in the Center’s theater. For more information, visit woodyguthriecenter. org. Wofford is looking forward to 2018. “We’re continuing our monthly unplugged songwriter series, featuring local musicians sharing their songs and stories. On the www.thecurrentbuzz.net | 9