POCAHONTAS COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) — The Pocahontas County Opera House will continue its 25th season with a special performance by the Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
Valerie and Benedict Turner, renowned ambassadors of country blues music and roots percussion, will take the stage for an enriching experience that transcends music. The duo is celebrated for their captivating blend of Piedmont-style fingerpicking and roots percussion.
A concert with Piedmont Blūz is a journey back to the 1920s and 1930s, the heydays of acoustic country blues. Valerie and Benedict share stories and historical anecdotes about early blues artists who shaped the genre.
Valerie Turner, a New York native with roots in Virginia and Georgia, excels in finger-style country blues guitar, specifically Piedmont-style fingerpicking. An inductee of the New York Blues Hall of Fame and co-president of the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation, she has taught at major guitar workshops and is the author of “Piedmont Style Country Blues Guitar Basics,” a book acquired by the Library of Congress. Her guitar playing is influenced by greats such as Mississippi John Hurt, Etta Baker, and Elizabeth Cotten.
Benedict Turner, a roots percussionist from Trinidad and Tobago, adds his touch with lap-style washboard, occasionally chiming in on bones or harp. Also an inductee of the New York Blues Hall of Fame, Benedict’s subtle percussion enriches the duo’s performances. He crafts custom Darlington washboards and serves as the creative director of the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation.
The Pocahontas County Opera House is a family-friendly and accessible environment, with special accommodations available upon request. Seating is first-come, first-served, and attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to ensure availability.
Tickets are available for a $10 donation for adults, and those aged 17 and younger can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online at pocahontasoperahouse.org, at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, or at the Opera House on the evening of the performance.
This event is supported by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For further information, visit pocahontasoperahouse.org, call 304-799-6645, or email info@pocahontasoperahouse.org.
