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While listening to a performer it’s not often you get to ask questions. But, attend the free music program at 5 p.m., Friday, in The Esplanade courtyard and you can do just that.

The Marco Island Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with The Esplanade will host The Art of the Balladier, featuring singer/musician Craig Greusel. It’s the first of a cultural arts series featuring local talent.

Claudia Klug-Kowel, a MIFA board member and brainchild of the event, said the idea is to create opportunities for local talent performances and for the audience to interact with the performer.

“If you’ve ever been to a concert and want to see the performer afterward, these little showcases are meant for the public to talk to the performer,” Klug-Kowel said.

Greusel, of Marco, is the music director at Lely High School. He will perform his own original music and other ballads. Greusel said he will talk and sing about what makes a song a ballad. He said he’ll describe how certain songs fit their genre either politically or socially and how it hasn’t changed over the last 100 years.

A couple of the songs he’ll perform are City of New Orleans and Danny Boy. Greusel said the songs have story relevance and can speak to generations. He also will explain ballad form, rhyme scheme and that meter matters because lines are basically fours and threes.

“Not only just a performance,” Greusel said. “It’s an instructive performance as well.”

Klug-Kowel said she anticipates MIFA will schedule 30 to 45 minute programs periodically that will feature local talent in the areas of music, writing, acting and visual arts.

“What I am hoping to do is provide quality cultural entertainment by way of an informal showcase for talented individuals who live full- of part-time on Marco Island.” Klug-Kowel said. “The ambiance of The Esplanade lends itself to performing arts and there are many people on Marco who can provide interesting programs in a professional manner.”

Klug-Kowel said free-will offerings will be accepted at the performances to further the series. She said volunteers are also needed.

Performances will be by invitation of MIFA. People or organizations can present a program by e-mailing dealz@aol.com or call 394-0987.

•••

Singer/musician Craig Greusel

• When: 5 p.m. Friday

• Where: The Esplanade courtyard

• What: Free interactive performance