Folk concert: Dennis Stroughmatt performs January 24

Fingers and bow flying, Dennis Stroughmatt takes listeners on a musical odyssey not so different from his own musical journeys into Upper Louisiana Creole Culture. Taught to play fiddle by Creole fiddlers Roy Boyer and Charlie Pashia in the tradition of their fathers, Dennis gradually became an adopted son of the French Midwest Creoles living along the Mississippi River near St Louis.

You can meet Dennis Stroughmatt and hear his vibrant blend of Celtic, Canadian, and Old Time sounds on Thursday, January 24 at 7:00 pm at Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street. This concert is free and open to the public. Dennis will sell and sign CDs following the concert.

The music of Dennis Stoughmatt bridges the gap between contemporary Canadian and Louisiana Cajun styles. Preserved by families in the Ozark foothills, the music remains largely intact and true to the traditions that have been passed down for over three centuries. Dennis performed last year at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Kennedy Center.

A medley of music, language, stories, and culture secreted away in the Missouri Ozarks now has a voice in the tapestry of this world. With the blessing of the Creole people of the Midwest, Dennis Stroughmatt is one of its passionate ambassadors, expanding interest and excitement in a region, in many ways, has been ignored by the history books. What many have considered to be long lost is alive and kicking. Join us January 24 to hear this inviting music!