Guitar Duo Starts Season at Farmstead Arts [VIDEO]

The Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo kicked off the year's concert series at the center in Basking Ridge, will a Sunday afternoon performance of perform of classical Spanish and Latin American guitar music.

The husband and wife guitar duo, from Pohatcong Township, will be followed by additional concerts this year at the township-owned arts center, interspersed with continuing art exhibits. Organizers said that work on an on the property means that this year's concerts will not be held on a monthly basis, and some months could be planned later in the year.

Laura Oltman and Michael Newman performed Piazzolla, Rodriguez, Brouwer, Lennon/McCartney, Ponce, Machado, Jobim, and Albeniz at Sunday's concert, limited to about three dozen audience members in the old farmhouse.

The couple next is planning their Raritan River Music Festival, based in Hunterdon County, at various locations on Saturdays between May 5 and May 26. Information is online. Newman and Oltman are artistic directors of the festival, with information online.

While other months may be tentative, the next planned concert at the Farmstead Arts is a program of Italian Music, planned are a Duo Sonoroso flute and guitar duo at 2 p.m. on May 6. The Farmstead Arts also is arranging music by troubadour Bill Ward at the township's Charter Day celebration on May 19.

Other planned peformanced as by folk singer Spook Handy at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, a presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan music by Ridge Light Opera on Nov. 18 and a baroque cello concert planned for a date to be announced in December.