First Friday: Exhibit Openings & Christmas Jazz at Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Keenen BaxterOn Friday, December 7th local composer and musician, Keenan Baxter, will be performing Christmas Jazz “originals,” on keyboards from 5:00 -8:00pm at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, Indiana. Ever since Keenan was asked to perform Christmas music at the Candlelight Tour seven years ago, Keenan has been working on his own original versions of Christmas music. “I spend between sixty to one hundred hours on each song,” stated Keenan. It’s a tedious, laborious and pain staking process to re-write every track, but the end result has been worth it. Keenan’s Christmas versions are very upbeat with increased tempo and extra notes added similar to Manheim Steamroller. “Sometimes I even mix two Christmas songs together,” stated Keenan. Keenan’s Christmas music has been played on internet Radio stations all over the country.

Valparaiso's own multi-talented and Grammy Contender Keenan Baxter is a very accomplished musician in his own right, and performs and composes on keyboards. Keenan’s dance song "Decent," made the Top 40 Indie Records worldwide in 2004 and Keenan was a Grammy Contender in 2006. He started producing and composing over 9 years ago before ever playing an instrument or being taught how a song is structured. He attended the Music Industry Workshop in Chicago taking record producing and also had a song placed on the MTV's “Sweet 16 Show.” “Performing on keyboards allow me to sound like a full band, complete with a bass and drums,” stated Keenan.

The Lubeznik Center will have lots going on that night. There will be two new exhibitions opening: Iconoclastic! featuring iconic images repurposed in mixed media and The Common Good showcasing black and white photography of historical places throughout Indiana. Additional happenings include book signings by John Bower (The Common Good) and Amanda Freymann & Joan Sommers (Chuck Close Face Book), and the Holiday Artisan Market will be set up in and around the Gallery Shop. Additionally, the Area Artists Association Gallery will feature Hues and Views: en plein air paintings by Julie Kasniunas. Light snacks and beverages will be available.

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. 2nd Street, Michigan City, Indiana and their web address is: www.lubeznikcenter.org and phone is 219-874-4900. Keenan’s web address is www.reverbnation.com/keenanbaxter.