Boston Music Award Winner Ellis Paul in Concert at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) presents master songwriter and storyteller Ellis Paul in concert on Saturday, May 13 at 8 p.m. Paul is an American folk musician and traveling songwriter with 5,000 shows and 25 years of road miles under his wheels. He's produced 20 albums of his own music, written songs for Grammy winners, had songs on television and in movies and has written books for adults and children. His songwriting retreats and classes are well regarded for elevating the work of the participants. Tickets are $25 general admission or patrons can purchase a $45 VIP ticket package, which includes front row seats and a chance to meet Paul after the show at a special reception. Tickets can be purchased at www.hopartscenter.org. Concert takes place at the Delbridge Family Performance Space at the HCA (98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton).

Ellis Paul's [www.EllisPaul.com] songwriting credentials are unassailable. They are as genuine as the fifteen Boston Music Awards he has earned, as indelible as the tattoo of Woody Guthrie that adorns his arm, and as authentic as the musical roots he draws upon with every note he plays. At the invitation of Woody's daughter, Ellis wrote a song with Woody's unpublished lyrics and was given an honorary citizenship to Okemah, OK, Woody's hometown.

Ellis got his musical start at Boston's open-mic scene while studying to be a social worker. He emerged out of the Boston music scene during a time when contemporary folk was beginning to come into the mainstream. It was a time and a place that nurtured some of the country's top singer/songwriters like, Martin Sexton, Patty Griffin and Dar Williams. Ellis was one of its more memorable exponents who earned his place on the national map with 20+ years of playing 150 to 200 shows annually. He has 19 albums, a documentary film, a book of poems/short stories, and a children's book project to his credit.

Ellis' songs have been featured on Hollywood soundtracks in films such as: Me, Myself & Irene, Shallow Hal and Hall Pass, as well as TV shows and documentary films. He has performed on stages at the Newport Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall, and clubs, and coffeehouses all over the world. This year, Ellis fan funded his 19th release "Chasing Beauty", produced by Sugarland's Kristian Bush. He was awarded a Honorary Degree from the University of Maine and inducted into the Maine Music Hall of Fame.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts cultivates an inclusive and vibrant community committed to the exploration and enjoyment of the visual and performing arts throughout the MetroWest region. In 2015, the HCA opened its new arts center, consisting of newly renovated classrooms, and a brand new 200-seat performance space. The center houses classes in dance, music, fine arts, theater, ceramics, photography, and is home to theatrical and musical performances year-round. To learn more about the HCA, visit www.hopartscenter.org.