The second event of the Orcas Center 2010 Season features the Orcas debut of Harry Manx, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist on Thursday, Feb. 4.

Manx has been called the “Mysticssippi” blues man because his original hybrid sound blends Eastern and Western influences. Born on the Isle of Man and raised in Canada, Manx found his diverse influences while living and traveling abroad, in India and Japan, Brazil and throughout Europe. The gift from a celebrated Indian musician of a custom-made, self-designed Mohan Veena (a 20-stringed sitar/guitar hybrid) was the catalyst for Manx’s self-styled “East meets West” music.

Manx has appeared at many prestigious festivals, world-class theatres, concert halls and Blues clubs around the globe. Playing the Mohan Veena, lap steel, harmonica, stomp box, and banjo, Manx quickly envelops the audience into what has been dubbed “the Harry Zone” with his warm vocals and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of his original songs. A neighbor to Orcas Islanders, Manx lives in Victoria, BC. He plays slide guitar on the latest CD of Orcas Island’s Carolyn Cruso. Orcas Center and San Juan Theatre have partnered for this engagement with Manx, who will perform in Friday Harbor on Wednesday before coming to Orcas.

Manx will play one concert at Orcas Center on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, $17 for Orcas Center members and $11 for students. T

ickets may be purchased online with Orcas Center’s new real-time box office at www.orcascenter.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person or over the phone during regular box office hours: Thursday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., 376-2281 ext.1.