Hear a poet's perspective on a uniquely articulate president when Brian "Fox" Ellis portrays American poet Walt Whitman in an Evenings at Butterworth performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 11th at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th St., Moline. No charge for admission; refreshments following.
President Abraham Lincoln was particularly fond of Whitman's work. Following the president's assassination, Whitman gave regular lectures on Lincoln, weaving in his Civil War poetry. The lectures also included recollections of a misty morning encounter with the President during the war.
A renowned storyteller, author and educator, Ellis has gained an enthusiastic following in the Quad Cities. Previous local engagements include the Butterworth Center, where he performed as Austin Gulihur, Lincoln's boyhood friend, and at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, where he performed as naturalist and artist John James Audubon. As a storyteller, author and educator, Ellis has done extensive research on many historic figures. A museum consultant, he's also worked with the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Looking for Lincoln Tourism Board.
Event funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust. For more information, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com
###