Dueling Pianos a new Friday night fixture at Patrick's Pub

GILFORD — Get ready for a new and exciting entertainment option as Patrick's Pub & Eatery has announced the addition of add Dueling Pianos to their musical lineup.

"We're excited to bring this really fun and interactive form of entertainment to the area," paid Patrick's co-owner Allan Beetle. "We think people will really enjoy the format, which includes playing their favorite songs on request."

The Dueling Piano concept goes back to the late 1800s, when ragtime piano players would duel in an effort to see who could play better and faster. The style was redefined in the 1980s when players began taking song requests, often written on cocktail napkins, and interjecting bits of humor through the show.

Lakes Region Dueling Pianos organizer Jon Lorentz calls the act a "no holds-barred, musical free-for-all where any style of music is fair game for requests." Some of the musicians scheduled to duel include Matt Langley of Gilford, Lorentz of Belmont, Jim Tyrrell of Plymouth, and others will be included in the fold. The piano players all sing, tell jokes, and may also perform featured songs on other instruments.

The two-hour shows, free admission, begin every Friday at 9 p.m. starting May 20. Patrick's, a recent winner of the Best of NH 2016, will have full menu service available until 11 p.m.

Patrick's offers five nights of live music, including Open Mic on Tuesdays, Cody James on Wednesdays, Paul Warnick on Thursdays, Dueling Pianos on Fridays, and pub sessions, currently acoustic pop/rock with a full rotation of blues, acoustic rock, Irish and jazz beginning in July. For more information, visit www.PatricksPub.com or call 293-0841.

Dueling Pianos Begins Friday, May 20 at 9 p.m. at Patrick's Pub & Eatery in Gilford, featuring musicians, from left, Jon Lorentz, Jim Tyrrell and Matt Langley. (Karen Bobotas for Patrick's Pub & Eatery)