As a pre Valentine's Day treat, Allentown American Association of Retired Persons Chapter #5415's February meeting featured the combined talents of Ken Purcell and Bruce Gaston, a.k.a. Mr. Handman. Their music balances Purcell's talent as a guitarist and vocalist with Gaston's virtuosity on the violin and hands.

Gaston's unique use of his hands makes him, according to Purcell, "...the planet's preeminent prestidigitator of the palm." In other words, he manipulates his hands to perform highly unusual musical renditions.

Gaston's hands have a nearly three octave range and add a dimension to "Stars and Stripes Forever" that would make John Phillip Sousa chuckle.

Gifted musicians, Purcell and Gaston encourage active audience involvement and their stylistic range offers something for everyone. As Purcell quipped, they play everything from "classical to country to polka." This performance included pieces as divergent as "Side By Side," "Ragtime Annie" and "Sixteen Tons." Their signature song, "Mr. Handman," a reworded version of "Mr. Sandman," possesses the essential Purcell/Gaston elements: originality, musicality and humor.

Although Purcell and Gaston first met in the 1970s, their musical collaboration did not begin until 1992. Having achieved worldwide recognition, Gaston, a special education teacher for the Northampton Area School District, and Purcell, a retired recreational therapist, recorded the first CD to incorporate manualist music. Entitled "Mr. Handman: Amazing Feats on Musical Hands," the 25 track production took three years to complete, a testament to their commitment to quality.

Although Gaston's hand playing has been spotlighted on such exotic venues as MTV's "Oddville" and "Das Supertalent" in Germany, they welcome opportunities to perform locally. In addition, AARP Chapter #5415 is an active organization whose motto is "To Serve, Not to be Served." Members enjoy day trips, obtain information pertinent to senior citizens and engage in charity work. Their monthly meetings at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Allentown feature local entertainers.

For more information contact chapter president Jeanne M. Tilghman at 610-437-4265.