Blending song and history
Dana-Thomas House presents singer-songwriter Ben Bedford in concert Feb. 14

[February 12, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – Ben Bedford, a singer and songwriter known for his ability to turn history into unforgettable music, will perform a Valentine’s Day concert at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site.

On three different albums, Bedford has told stories of people from a Confederate soldier’s wife to author Jack London to Springfield poet Vachel Lindsay. His songs take listeners from a plane in flight to the scene of a tragic crime.

Eric Ernst of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls Bedford “a masterful storyteller who can turn what seem like obscure historical references for engaging tales rife with vivid, stark imagery.”

The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tickets are available by visiting www.dana-thomas.org  and clicking on the DTH Events Calendar. They can also be purchased by calling the site’s Sumac Shop at [phone].

Seating is limited. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged.

The “Made for Music” concert series takes advantage of the Dana-Thomas House’s brilliant architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the house with music in mind, creating spaces with performance balconies and architectural elements that support live musical presentations.

The Dana-Thomas House was built between 1902 and 1904. It is perhaps the best-preserved of Wright’s “Prairie Style” homes, with more than 400 pieces of specially made art glass and original furnishings.

The house, located at 301 E. Lawrence Street (Fourth and Lawrence) in Springfield, is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

“Made for Music” is sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Dana Thomas House Foundation and History Comes Alive.

[Justin Blanford, Illinois Historic Preservation AGency]