Tues. 1/23: “¡Muévelas!” Previews Venezuelan-Appalachian Folk Concert—Larry & Joe (1/28)—with Interview + Comp Tix

text by Ted Coe

19 January, 2024

Larry Bellorín & Joe Troop (Photo by Tommy Coyote, courtesy the artists)

Larry & Joe is the Venezuelan-Appalachian folk fusion duo of Larry Bellorín, a Venezuelan Llanera music legend, and Joe Troop, a GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass musician from North Carolina.

They will be performing at the NAMBA Performing Arts Space (47 South Oak St.) in Ventura on Sunday evening, January 28th, at 7pm.

The pair found their musical destiny together. Larry, forced into exile, became an asylum seeker in North Carolina, while Joe, stranded during the pandemic, shifted from leading the “Latingrass” band Che Apalache to aiding asylum seekers. Now based in the Triangle of North Carolina, the versatile duo showcases the borderless nature of music, fusing Venezuelan and Appalachian folk on various instruments. Their bilingual program not only blends musical heritages but also tells stories of how music and social movements intertwine.

Joe Troop will be a special guest during next week’s Tuesday, January 24th edition of “¡Muévelas!” (6-8am) with Tío Chuy. Tune in for selections of their work, more background on this fascinating musical collaboration, and for ticket giveaways as well.

Advance tickets are currently available for sale online, and more info can also be found, at nambaarts.com/larry-joe.

Don’t forget your dancing shoes!