These Are the Days

Cultural Center Hosts William Florian in Concert

William Florian of The New Christy Minstrels comes to New York Mills to perform at the Cultural Center on Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Florian’s show is entitled, Those Were the Days: Spirit and Songs of the 60s, and includes some of the music of Peter, Paul & Mary; John Denver; Pete Seeger; The Mamas & The Papas; and The New Christy Minstrels, of which he was a member. It’s an upbeat and energetic journey into America’s greatest folk and pop music of the 1960s.

“William Florian’s performance was very entertaining. The audience sang along all night. William is a genuine performer and full of stories of his life and those he played with. This has been one of our favorite shows!” says Rachelle Fratzke, Performing Arts Director of Pearson Lakes Art Center in Iowa.

Florian’s seventh-grade teacher once told his mother to take his guitar away from him until he did better in math. Fortunately, his mom did not listen to that teacher and Florian went on to perform, write, and record rock ‘n roll throughout his time in high school, including a local hit record with his band, Burnt Suite. After graduating, Florian and his sister, Nanette, left their home in Connecticut and went on a tour across the U.S.

In the mid-1970s, while visiting Los Angeles, the two were invited to join and tour with the famous New Christy Minstrels (NCM). Florian was honored to be a lead singer in concerts on NCM’s biggest hit song, “Today.”

Says Steve Seither of Community Concert in Placerville, CA, “William is not only a gifted and very professional musician, but a delightful comedian, as well.”

Those Were the Days can be seen in the intimate venue of the Cultural Center for $15 at the door or $12 in advance (members receive $2 discount), or just $5 for students. Snacks are served and a cash bar is available.

For more information or to buy tickets, please call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339 or visit the Center’s website at www.kulcher.org.

The Cultural Center in New York Mills is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. We offer visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in our 80-seat concert listening room, two galleries in a historic building, a gift store featuring local artists, an artist residency program, a sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.