Fine Times at Our House: old time music and storytelling Feb. 9

Combine wry and humorous storytelling of Spalding Gray with the country wit of Mark Twain, throw in traditional string band music from the mountains of Appalachia, add a recorded story or two from an award-wining public radio series on family stories, and round it all off with original paintings inspired by fiddle tunes like “Lost Boy,” and “Sally in the Green Corn,” and one has an idea about the show Fine Times at Our House. The show will be at Evergreen's Communications Building Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 as part of the Evergreen Expressions concert series.

Tickets are on sale now at the Evergreen Bookstore, buyolympia.com and Rainy Day Records in Olympia. Prices are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. Credit card phone orders can be placed by calling the college’s Box Office at 867-6833.

Fine Times tells the autobiographical story of an Irish-American young man in 1970 who escapes the confusion and strife of the inner-city by journeying into the mountains of West Virginia where he discovers a vibrant and sustaining culture of storytelling and music. This back-to-the-land odyssey is complete with tales about raccoon-hunting monkeys, runaway horses, and three legged chickens. And a crackerjack ghost story sure to make you jump. The performance will be followed by a reception and art show featuring original watercolor paintings by Paula Blasius-McHugh.