Brooks Center brings mobile music venue to the community with “The Concert Truck”

A rolling concert hall, known as The Concert Truck, will make its way through the greater Clemson area the week of October 2, 2023. The five-day residency is sponsored by the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts and includes four concerts that are free and open to the public.

The Concert Truck, the brainchild of pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang, has presented concerts across the country in a variety of venues including parks, schools, neighborhoods and city streets. Inside the 16-foot box truck hides a fully functioning stage complete with lights, sound system and piano. Luby and Zhang were inspired to create the project to make live music accessible to everyone. In addition to the four public appearances, The Concert Truck will perform six outreach concerts at local schools and community partners across Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties.

Brooks Center Executive Director Janice Crews said she was drawn to the mobile music venue while she was searching for ways to expand the Brooks Center’s outreach offerings. “The Concert Truck is all about bringing music off the stage and into the community,” Crews said. “We are excited to host these wonderful artists at 10 locations around the region, and we’re proud to sponsor this residency so that the performances are free to all 10 audiences.”

For this residency, Luby will be joined by pianist Rieko Tsuchida. Both artists are accomplished pianists, who will perform a program featuring classical and jazz works, along with a few surprises. Expect to hear pieces by Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Art Tatum, George Gershwin, Margaret Bonds, Igor Stravinsky, and more. Luby has won prizes in numerous competitions, most recently the 2019 Prix Ravel in Fontainebleau, France. He has concertized throughout the U.S., France, Italy and the Czech Republic, and his recordings have been broadcast on public radio. Tsuchida made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2011. Her many prizes include the SONY USA Foundation Grant in 2016 from the Salon de Virtuosi, YoungArts NFAA Finalist and 3rd Prize in the IIYM International Piano Competition.

Guests are invited to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the music. Food will be available for purchase at surrounding restaurants at Carolina Wren Park, Village Green at Patrick Square and Pendleton Square. For more information, contact the Brooks Center box office at 864-656-7787.