La Rencontre Dec. 12 to feature Phil House and Kathy Haley

Phil House and Kathy Haley are back at the Franco! The Franco Center will host this beloved local musical duo at its quarterly La Rencontre luncheon Thursday, Dec. 12. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for socializing. Lunch consisting of tourtiere (meat pie), vegetable and dessert is served at 11:30 a.m.

Phil House has been playing organ at the First Universalist Church of Auburn, at weddings at the All Souls Chapel at the Poland Spring Resort, and many other venues for more than 35 years. House has shared the stage for about 33 years with good friend Kathy Haley of Danville. 

House self-taught himself to play piano at age 5. By 12 years old he was the organist for the Bryant Pond Baptist Church. He’s played professionally in Nashville, Tennessee, nightclubs at night, church during the day, for more than a decade. When he moved back to Maine, he played piano in Graziano’s lounge until he found a church that needed his talents. He stays busy playing at other venues including senior community living centers. 

Haley began performing early as a church organist, pianist and folk singer. For decades, Haley was one of the lead singers with the Top 40 dance band Good and Plenty and the vocal group The Girls of LA. Currently she performs with My Mother’s Daughter. She is the accompanist for the Edward Little High School and Auburn Middle School choral groups. Haley’s main role is organist/choir director at the Court Street Baptist Church of Auburn. 

Diverse cultures, performing arts, and languages come together at the Franco Center during La Rencontre (the gathering). Traditionally, in Franco culture, big celebratory meals included live music provided by members of the family and their neighbors. Many families made sure their kids each learned to play an instrument to entertain at such gatherings — and so, accordingly, the Franco Center invites local musicians to provide live music for its guests. 

Tickets are $17 and include the meal and entertainment. All seats are reserved. Tickets must be purchased by noon Thursday, Dec. 5, so we can plan the number of meals to prepare.

Purchase tickets online at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=248722

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: TV5 Monde, the best French TV! and Champoux Insurance