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Cohen Valentine’s concert will be a virtual affair


Clintonville resident Bill Cohen’s annual celebration of romance, “The Many Faces of Love,” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day – Sunday, Feb. 14.

Instead of having the usual in-person packed house at the Columbus Mennonite Church in Clintonville, though, this year’s concert will be streamed live on Facebook, on the page labeled “Bill Cohen Sings.”

As usual, with guitar and piano, Cohen will sing favorites from the 1940s through ’70s. His playlist includes songs by John Denver, the Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, James Taylor, Bing Crosby, Patti Page, the Eagles, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and others.

While the songs will reflect the ecstasy, warmth, heartache and pain that love can bring, there will be a lighter side, too. Cohen will ask fun trivia questions about famous and infamous couples and love songs throughout the decades.

Because of COVID-19 guidelines, Cohen won’t have his usual gang of musical friends backing him up with vocal harmonies, flute, lead guitar, and drums. This will be a solo gig.

But Cohen said he’ll do his best to make it an evening that viewers won’t soon forget. He sees one upside to having fans view the show at home – in a venue that’s more intimate.

“Put the virtual show onto your biggest screen, turn off the lights, light some candles, snuggle up to your sweetheart or a photo of a past lover, pour some wine, put out some chocolate and enjoy the memories and emotions these familiar songs will spark,” he said.

No tickets or reservations are needed to view the Valentine show, Cohen’s 12th annual.

It’s free, but if viewers enjoy what they experience, Cohen said he welcomes contributions to help produce this May’s Central Ohio Folk Festival, a project of the Columbus Folk Music Society.

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