Delta Blues Advisory

"FLUTE OF CULTURE" AT DELTA BLUES MUSEUM

CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi's oldest music museum to host Greek musical performance and workshop

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT DESK

What: The Delta Blues Museum will host a Greek bagpipe exhibition and workshop presented by Flute of Culture, to benefit the "One Stone" Tower Raising Campaign. The two-hour presentation begins with an introduction to the history of La Ponta Santorini, a 13th century Venetian tower, followed by a musical performance featuring various handmade Greek wind instruments, to express the harmony, melody and rhythm of music not unlike that of Mississippi's own cane fife tradition. Guests will learn about the development of primitive wind instruments, from the double-flute to the tsabouna (Greek Bagpipe). Led by Yannis Pantazis--musician, composer and instrument artisan--the all-ages performance is open to the media and public. Where: Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, Mississippi When: Thursday, February 13, 2014 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm Download Flyer

About La Ponta Santorini & The Flute of Culture

The "One Stone" Tower Raising Campaign is an ongoing effort to restore La Ponta, the 13th century Venetian tower of the Castle of Akrotiri Santorini, Greece. The tower was severely damaged by the ravages of time, as well as the devastating earthquake that struck the island of Santorini in 1956. In the winter of 2011-12, co-founders Yannis Pantazis and Argy Kakissis created Flute of Culture and funded efforts to preserve the interior of what remains of the tower.

This year, they are touring the United States in order to raise funds-one stone at a time-to fully restore the tower. For more information on the campaign, visit www.laponta.gr. The campaign's goal is not only to preserve an historic monument but also to create a unique environment for cultural exchange and musical education-not unlike the mission of Delta Blues Museum.

More about Delta Blues Museum

A 2013 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services--the nation's highest honor for museum and library service to the community--the Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form, the Blues. The museum seeks $1.2 million for new and enhanced exhibits for its expansion, including the Muddy Waters Addition. Expanded exhibits will enable the cultural organization to better preserve and display the history and work of blues artists from the Mississippi Delta, and advance the Museum's ability to "tell" stories that inspire and educate future generations about this important American art form.

For online donations or for more information on events or programs, please call (662) 627-6820, or visit the Museum web site at www.deltabluesmuseum.org.

Members of the press may register on the Museum website to access the PRESS ROOM for further information, images and materials.

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Shelley Ritter, Director

This newsletter is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and,
in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.