Remember this past summer’s Grassroots fest? That beautiful Saturday night out at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds–it was an extraordinary nightof music, even by Grassroots Festival standards, where the four days arefilled with memorable music. On that night, the renowned African roots musician Samite of Uganda invited Richie Stearns to join him, bringing the old-time banjo back to its African roots. It was an evening of musicrom the heart–music you couldn’t help but move to! Two traditions brought together in a sweet, beautiful groove: Richie, one of the major contemporary innovators of the five-string banjo, known for his work with The Horse Flies, joining for the very first time on stage with the musician about whom Ladysmith Black Mombazo’s Joseph Shabalala said, “When you listen to Samite, you hear his beating heart, and part of the soul of Africa is revealed to you.”Well, it’s gonna happen again! This week, here in Ithaca, New York…..Samite has invited Richie and other friends to join him for a very special evening of music at the State Theatre in downtown Ithaca,Thursday, September 23. Mar Guey will be there, along with Charlie Shew and David Cullen; Rich DePaolo opens the 7:30 p.m. show. It’s all abenefit for MOVEON.ORG, a nonprofit organization working to involve more folks in the political process.If you want to be part of a very special evening of music with Samite of Uganda and friends, reserved seat tickets are available for $25; $20with a student ID. (Please note that 100 percent of ticket sales benefit moveon.org) You can get tickets online at www.statetheatreofithaca.com or charge them by phone: (607) 273-4497.
