CURTIS and LORETTA
Evansville Arts Coalition’s premier First Friday Concert of 2023 features the renowned folk singer-songwriter duo Curtis & Loretta. The concert will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Evansville Art Center.
Curtis & Loretta are a folk singer-songwriter duo, guided by their love of good songs and inspired by the stories of people they have met in their over 40 years of touring. Weaving together soaring harmonies with a wild menagerie of instruments that includes guitars, harp, mandocello, banjo, ukulele, kazoo, harmonica, and percussion, the duo perform traditionally-inspired originals with humor and heart. Curtis’ down-home sense of humor and Loretta’s theater background engage the audience in an experience that runs the gamut of rolling with laughter to holding back tears, with plenty of side-trips in between. They rack up countless miles each year, crisscrossing the country to deliver their own unique brand of folk singer/songwriter music.
Featuring Texas-born troubadour Curtis Teague and Minnesota-raised theater graduate Loretta Simonet, the pair first met on the beach in Santa Cruz, California in the spring of 1977. Curtis had just returned to the mainland from Hawaii and heard Loretta practicing for a variety show. He said, “Hey, I play guitar!” They sat down together on a piece of driftwood to sing, and their vocal connection was undeniable. They played together at the variety show that first night, and have been singing together ever since, as the duo Curtis & Loretta. They married in Santiago, Mexico in 1987, and moved to Minneapolis, where they are still based.
Seven minivans and countless miles later, Curtis & Loretta have been named “Best Acoustic Performers of the Twin Cities” (City Pages), landed on Folk Radio Chart’s “Top Albums of the Year” and performed with such folk luminaries as Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Vassar Clements, Claudia Schmidt and Holly Near. They have also received several grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, including the Creative Support for Individuals grant that backed their new album Lift the World – their 10th recording, which is already being called “a generous cornucopia of beautifully crafted songs that speak from the heart of the struggles and joys of life, performed with honesty, grace, and uncommon musicianship” (Chris Vallillo, Gin Ridge Music). Featuring songs that were written during the pandemic, the album celebrates what is really important in this life from the heartwarming to the heart breaking.
A former professional luthier, Curtis now limits his work to keeping his and Loretta’s instruments in working order. When not busy with that, he loves treasure-hunting at antique and thrift stores. And Loretta loves tending their tiny backyard garden and spending time with their little papillon dog Lulu. When they can, they take Lulu on the road with them, and she even makes an appearance on their new album. Touring in support of their new album, veteran performers Curtis & Loretta continue to delight audiences with their warmth, humor and masterful musicianship.
Please feel free to bring a treat to share at intermission if you wish. There is no charge for this concert, donations are gratefully accepted.
The Evansville Art Center is located at 111 Main Street in Evansville, Minnesota. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund and in part through a Minnesota State Legislative general fund appropriation.