Pianist Helen Beedle Performs Works of Francis Johnson & Thomas Wiggins in Jim Thorpe, PA Feb. 20, 6 pm

[Portrait of Frank Johnson, from a Lithograph by Hoffy, 1846 (Penn Library)]

The Morning Call

Jodi Duckett

Feb. 16, 2011

“Winter is a fine time — make that a great time — to visit historic Jim Thorpe, according to the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce, which is holding its 17th annual WinterFest this weekend.”

“At 6 p.m. Feb. 20, pianist Helen Beedle will perform 19th century classical salon music, including L.M. Gottschalk's 'The Banjo,' works by African American composers Thomas Greene Wiggins and Francis Johnson and the songs of Stephen Foster. She will be accompanied by Jari Villanueva on cornet. Tickets to each show are $18. Info: 570-325-5810 or http://www.JimThorpe.org. [Francis B. Johnson (1792-1844) and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849-1908) are profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features research and Works Lists by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma, Professor of Music, Lawrence University Conservatory, Appleton, Wisconsin.]