musical collaboration collective
BenOaks aka Benjamin Oaks performs a rare solo blues song & tells his story @ a very special spoken word event hosted by Divine Marie @divinemarie_ in Harrisburg, PA
filmed by @CeeJayofLight of The Cultural Empower Network @theCEN.717
Come make art with us! It’s our 2nd monthly event of 2023! FREE admission!
Music, art & Poetry at The Good Place (back side of the Manor Shopping Center – near the beer distro & beauty salon).
FREE art making, poetry writing & drum circle workshops start @ 5pm. OPEN MIC from 6-7pm. Signups start at 5pm.
MUSIC PERFORMANCES start at 7pm w LEE MORR, then CIRCUMSTANTIAL SAINT, followed by OLILEWYA & ending w BENOAKS w/ AROARA.
enjoy incredible art by DARREN JORDAN, SHAUNA YORTY & ERIC TONZOLA.
this event is FREE but please click this link to RVSP since space is limited to the 1st 100 people
BenOaks LOVES the new Switchboard studio / gallery space in Columbia, PA SO MUCH he is going to share his ENTIRE life story for the 1st time EVER in public TONITE 6:30-9pm. He was invited by Miss Alison & Eric Tonzola to share his RECOVERY story. He enjoys the space & feels so comfortable & inspired that he will be sharing stories about being raised in a cult – Jehovah’s Witnesses – to childhood sexual abuse, substance abuse, suicide survivor & now 5 years alcohol-free & an unhoused & mental health advocate 😍
The monthly 4th Friday Art Show from last month was rescheduled for tonite due to bad weather.
Here is the RECOVERY Art Show Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1528351667639517
He will be performing new triphop music – mixing soul music, hiphop, reggae, dubstep + lyricism from spoken word artist LEE MORR & rapper OLILEWYA & singer AROARA.
During their set visual artists Darren Jordan & Bird Ribecca of Birdup Productions will be making ART!
Here’s a clip of Benjamin Oaks performing at Switchboard Studios & Gallery at their open mic this past week. He is joined by 2 of Lancaster County’s finest musicians: @_K_Rock of R&B band Cabbage Hill on drums & Kyle Hiltz of La Cicada on bass guitar.
RESCHEDULED due to dangerous weather (bomb cyclone) in Pennsylvania!!! Opening reception for Switchboard’s RECOVERY Art Show has been postponed until FRI JAN 6th
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and often times the most dramatic and emotionally difficult time to get through, am I right? Especially for our friends in recovery.
This Friday 12/23 6pm-9 @ the new Switchboard Studios & Gallery in Columbia, PA (above Columbia Kettle Works – 40 N. 3rd St), BenOaks is celebrating 5 years alcohol-free & in Recovery!
This show is an open call just for our artist friends who have experienced hardships like addiction, physical rehabilitation, any kind of healing from traumatic life experiences… and are ready to display the creations that often times come from it. We want your pieces that show what the word RECOVERY means to you.
Will be accepting last minute submissions up until midnight on Tuesday, December 20th.
Send up to (3) specs and images to: switchboardstudiosandgallery@gmail.com
Local artist Kym Stine and local musician Benjamin Oaks are special guest speakers to talk about art, music, and healing.
BenOaks will be sharing his story & some new triphop songs with lyricist OLILEWYA; singer AROARA & spoken word artist LEE MORR.
Darren Jordan & Bird Ribecca will also be creating live art during BenOaks set.
Here is the Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1528351667639517
Since meeting a few weeks ago, Brother Ray & BenOaks have performed their favorite R&B classic, Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” a few times.
This is actually how they met too! BenOaks walked into Lancaster’s Penn Square (in the center of town) to busk like he usually does most Saturdays around noon. But someone was already in his favorite spot!
What a pleasant surprise when this person, Brother Ray, starts to sing Ben’s favorite song “Ain’t No Sunshine”! He then performs another of his faves- Sam Cooke’s “Change Gonna Come” 🙂
Ben ran home & grabbed his guitar. They’ve been rockin together ever since! They have already started recording Brother Ray’s debut album! Stay tuned!
Beloved street performer Brother Ray is currently in rehab 🙂 BenOaks has been inspired to open a community studio serving unhoused artists & musicians.
Bones Culture 
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