Photo © Poor Man's Gambit

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Poor Man's Gambit, a Philadelphia-based Irish music band, on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Christ Congregation Church (and available via live-stream). The multi-instrumentalist group comprises Deirdre Lockman (fiddle and vocals), Corey Purcell (button accordion, cittern, bodhran, vocals, and dance), and Federico Betti (guitar and fiddle). Showtime is 8:00pm.

Deidre and Corey are steeped in the traditional Irish culture of the Philadelphia area. Both started as step dancers in childhood. Deidre studied at the DeNogla Academy of Irish Dance in New Jersey, and both went on to dance competitively at national and international levels. In time, however, they found their true calling in Irish music. Deirdre began competing in fiddle competitions, and Corey began teaching himself Irish-style button accordion. He studied with all-Ireland button accordion champion John Whelan. His musical interests expanded to include other instruments and voice.

Federico found a different path to joining the trio. He grew up in Milan, Italy, where he first learned to play the fiddle and fell in love with traditional Irish music. In 1996 he co-founded Inisfail, a group that would become a leader in the Italian Irish music scene. After sharing the stage at music festivals in Italy with various Irish musicians and bands such as Altan, Dervish, and Lúnasa, he moved to Ireland in 1999. He immersed himself in the Galway traditional music scene, learning from a range of fiddle players and traveling to festivals all over the country. In 2010 Federico began teaching fiddle at the Galway City branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

"It’s their combination of musical styles that sets them apart: not only do they offer an array of instrumental combinations, but they also include the visual and audial element of dance. Building on their roots as traditional Irish musicians, the trio’s repertoire is also influenced by traditional music of other cultures." – Old Songs, Inc., Voorheesville, NY, February 21, 2020.

The performance takes place on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Christ Congregation Church (50 Walnut Lane) in Princeton, New Jersey. Showtime is 8:00pm. Tickets in advance or at the door: $25 ($20 members, $10 students 12 - 22, $5 children 11 and under). Ample free parking. For tickets, live-stream access, and more information: www.princetonfolk.org.

The Princeton Folk Music Society is continuing to offer live-stream viewing of performances when possible. They have chosen to make the stream available under the honor system of folk music. If you watch the stream live or delayed, the organization and the artist would greatly appreciate you utilizing the “tip jar” to make a contribution in lieu of in-person concert tickets. They recognize that not everyone can make it to the venue for the show, so they’re delighted to be able to present this as an option to participate in the concert.

The Princeton Folk Music Society has encouraged the growth of folk music in central New Jersey for over 59 years. As they continue to explore new ways of presenting and promoting folk music while ensuring a Covid 19-safe environment for our audiences, their concerts this season will available for viewing by live streaming, as well as on-site in Princeton. They welcome everyone to join them, in person or virtually for their concerts.