2/8 - Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo

Join us in Ithaca as we celebrate

Country Blues music, the Piedmont style of fingerpicking, and roots percussion.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

6:30 - 8:30 pm

FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF ITHACA

306 N Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 


The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo



Comprised of Valerie and Benedict Turner, The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo are ambassadors of Country Blues music, Piedmont-style fingerpicking, and roots percussion. Their mission is to help bring awareness to these unique aspects of African-American culture and to early blues artists' contributions through performing and teaching. They have entertained audiences domestically and abroad and are much loved wherever they go.


As 2018 inductees into the New York Blues Hall of Fame, this husband-and-wife duo feel that "there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said" so, in addition to tickling your ears with delightful music, they weave a bit of history into the presentation of each song. A Piedmont Blūz concert isn’t just music – it’s an experience as they transport you back to the 1920s and 1930s, the hey-day of acoustic Country Blues music. In addition to performing songs from that time frame, they introduce each piece with an interesting anecdote about the composer, the period, or the song itself. Added to Music to Life's official Juried Artist roster in 2024, the duo looks forward to contributing to this network of musician change agents.


The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo self-published a music book that the Library of Congress has acquired. This book teaches guitar players a traditional fingerpicking style popular among early blues musicians. They are also board members of the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation, with Valerie as its Co-President and Benedict as its Creative Director. In these capacities, they have conducted fundraising, published articles, given presentations about the life and times of John Hurt, and helped create a documentary film.


FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DUO:

https://piedmontbluz.com/

PURCHASE TICKETS

Congratulations to our Competition Dance Teams

By George Cook • January 13, 2025
On January 10-11th, TCFA's Competition Team dancers attended the Access Broadway dance competition in Hanover, NJ!

1/26 - Can Give Benefit Concert

By George Cook • December 15, 2024
Can Give Concert: Benefitting the Trumansburg Food Pantry Sun, Jan 26, 1:00pm-4:00 Ulysses Philomathic Library 17 Main Street: Trumansburg, NY DIRECTIONS Welcome the New Year with a TCFA live music event supporting the Trumansburg Food Pantry . Sponsored by TCFA's Basement Club, Lynn Wiles and George Cook will be joining players, singers and songwriters from the Trumansburg community. The afternoon will feature a live mix of jazz, folk and blues tunes. Drop in and catch some live music. Drop off canned / dry goods for the Food Pantry! Admission is free, but please bring cans/dry goods to donate (no minimum quantity). Personal hygiene and cleaning items are also welcome, but no clothes. About the Trumansburg Food Pantry: The mission of the Trumansburg Food Pantry is simply to distribute free food to people who are struggling to provide food for themselves or their families. Occasionally, personal care items and cleaning supplies are also available. There are no financial requirements, and currently there are no residential restrictions. If you’re hungry, our volunteer team is here to help! Customers are offered staples like bread, milk, and eggs; plus, many other items such as meat, pasta & sauces, cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, butter, cheese, soups, and fresh produce – our menu changes and is sometimes unpredictable depending on availability. Generous community donations allow us to purchase the quality of foods we all enjoy and the quantity of foods needed to serve over 100 individuals in our community. The Trumansburg Food Pantry is supported by an outstanding team of dedicated volunteers, strong community interest, and assistance from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, the United Way of Tompkins County, and our local organizations, grocers and farms. It takes a village, and together we make it happen! For more information contact Donna Holzbaur, Coordinator at 607-279-8257.

The Future

By George Cook • December 13, 2024
Our restoration project has begun!
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