The Black Box to Feature Jazz, Cabaret & More in June

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's new theater, music, and event venue, presents a dynamic lineup of live music entertainment in May. Events are slated to feature the Ben Whiting Quintet, BLACK BOX Cabaret, and a Local Artist Series inaugural performance. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street.

BLACK BOX Jazz presents the Ben Whiting Quintet on Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Known for his sweet, robust sound, communicative phrasing and stylistic versatility, baritone sax player Ben Whiting is quickly making a name for himself on the Boston music scene, where he can be heard at premiere venues including Ryles, Scullers, Berklee Performance Center, The Beat Hotel, The Beehive, Top of the Hub, and Hard Rock Cafe. Ben regularly performs with the renowned Greg Hopkins' Big Band and Nonet, Omar Thomas Large Ensemble, Alex Lee-Clark 8tet, Kenny Hadley Big Band, Beantown Swing Orchestra, Eguie Castrillo and his Orchestra, and many more. The Berklee trained Whiting has also traveled internationally with The Artie Shaw Big Band. Presenting a swinging evening of original compositions and jazz standards, Ben will be joined at THE BLACK BOX by guitarist Carl Eisman, pianist Brian Friedland, bassist Rob Taylor and drummer Oscar Suchanek.

THE BLACK BOX launches a Local Artist Series on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m., shining a spotlight on this region's bright musical talent. Local singers and songwriters share the stage and tell the stories behind their music for this special evening hosted by WMRC's Ray Auger. The inaugural performance will feature acoustic sets by Ken Barney, Gay Barboza, Chris Ross and Kate Russo, all 2015 WMRC Local Music Award nominees honored among the best area musicians and recognized for their creativity and contribution to the Greater Milford music scene.

On Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret spotlights the vocal stylings of talented FPAC alumni performers. Accompanied by the Acme Rhythm Section, entertainment is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere. BLACK BOX Cabaret is sponsored by The Milford National Bank and Trust.

Ticket prices are $18 (adult) and $15 (student/senior) for the Ben Whiting Quintet, $15 for the Local Artist Series, and $15 (adult) and $12 (student/senior) for BLACK BOX Cabaret. A cash bar is available for all music series events. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

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