The City of Biloxi and the Tullis-Toledano Manor Board of Directors will sponsor a Veteran’s Day concert on Monday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Tullis-Toledano Manor, 360 Beach Blvd., Biloxi.
The concert will feature renowned classical guitarist John De Chiaro. A reception will be held after the concert. Tickets are $10 each and are free for members of the Friends of Tullis-Toledano Manor.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the restoration of the Crawford House at Tullis. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Saenger Theater for the Performing Arts, 170 Reynoir St., Biloxi. Details: Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Biloxi at 228-435-6308.
The American classical guitarist John De Chiaro made his New York debut in 1976 in a Carnegie Hall Recital Hall performance that brought a rave notice from the New York Times and launched a career of distinction. He has performed throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe and has played for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome. He was invited to perform for President Clinton at a special Christmas function at the White House. De Chiaro was a featured performer at the “Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival” in Sedalia, Missouri, and at the “Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival” in Boulder, Colorado. De Chiaro is a member of the music faculty with the University of Southern Mississippi.
The concert is being held in memory of James E.M. “Jimmy” Balthrope, a charter member of the Friends of Tullis, who died April 19, 2002. Born in Biloxi on Sept. 15, 1920, Balthrope was a descendant of Sir William Dunbar, Surveyer General for the Spanish Government. Balthrope served his country during World War II in the China, Burma and India Theater of Operations. He also served with the Marshall Commission in China.
“Mr. Balthrope had genuine love of his community, which was shown through his active involvement with many art and history organizations on the Gulf Coast,” said Lolly Barnes, Biloxi’s historical administrator. “In addition to his work with Tullis-Toledano Manor, Mr. Balthrope was a long time supporter of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Historical and Genealogical Society.”
