Here with Near

Holly Near’s visit will go beyond her concert on Thursday, Oct. 20, with conversation, tea and tours on the day of and prior to the event.

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, 3 to 5 p.m., Near will be joined by Sally Roesch Wagner for tea and conversation at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center, 210 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. Wagner—the executive director of the foundation and one of the first women to receive a doctorate in women’s studies in the United States from University of California-Santa Cruz in 1978—has been an admirer of Near’s work for many years. As the two came to work together more often, Near was in turn inspired by Wagner’s mission with the foundation and Matilda Joslyn Gage. Participants are invited to join Near and Wagner for an intimate conversation over tea.

Then on Thursday, Oct. 20, a 3:30 p.m. tour of the Onondaga Historical Association, 321 Montgomery St., will be given by executive director Gregg Tripoli, with a free showing of rare Gage items, followed by a 5 p.m. dinner with both Wagner and Tripoli next door to the OHA at Parisa Restaurant, 317 Montgomery St. The tour and dinner will directly precede Near’s concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 310 Montgomery St.

Admission for the Oct. 19 tea with Near will be $40, although tickets can also be purchased for both the tea and concert for $60. For more information, call 637-9511 or email foundation@matildajoslyngage.org.

—Jessica Novak