Betsy is the story of a Bronx born and bred Puerto Rican jazz singer who stirs up the little known history of her Scotch-Irish ancestry, bringing to life ghosts that have a life of their own: an orphaned teenager tricked into leaving Ireland to become an indentured servant in 18th century North America, her seducer, and their descendants; a grown woman finding her bearings in the rhythms of a Puerto Rican neighborhood in the 20th century, a time traveling woman whose soul rests in her Caribbean and Scotch-Irish origins. This musical is alive with the fire of Jazz, Bluegrass, and Latin compositions delivered by three powerful vocalists and a five-member Latin-Appalachian band. Three years in the making, BETSY’s music was composed by Roadside’s Ron Short, Nashville jazz pianist Beegie Adair, and Pregones’ Desmar Guevara.

Mountain Tales & Music is an energetic performance of traditional tales and songs of the Appalachian Mountains fun for all ages!

RESIDENCIES
Residencies create opportunities for communities and artists to tell their stories in their own voice.

Book Roadside