Benny Bleu

Join us for an intimate evening of meditative music in the Kiva with traveling folk musician Benny Bleu. An award-winning banjo player and scientifically minded songwriter, Benny presents music that speaks to the child inside you. The one that wants to play in muddy creeks and bring home too many rocks. He performs instrumental clawhammer banjo tunes that will ground and focus, as well as original songs that inspire contemplation.

Doors open at 6pm

Show begins at 6:30pm with a short intermission

Benny Bleu makes folk music in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Pairing timely songwriting with his distinctive instrumental banjo work, Benny pushes at the boundaries of traditional Appalachian music creating a sound Bluegrass Situation calls “old-time with plenty of modern twists.”

A train-traveling, smartphone-rejecting, modern-day luddite, his music reflects a sustained exploration of humanity’s relationship with the earth. His latest project, When I Am a Fossil, draws on Benny’s former career as an environmental geologist and imagines a distant future when all that remains of us is buried in the rock record. Reaching #2 on the Folk Radio chart, Benny is promoting the album on a nation-wide Amtrak tour in autumn 2026.

"His recordings balance thoughtful lyricism with expressive instrumental work, inviting listeners to slow down and engage more closely with their surroundings." - Putumayo World Music

"Benny Bleu rocks!” — Bruce Molsky

“… the banjo feeds your body’s Feel Good System…” – Bandcamp Daily, about Banjo Meditations.

“clawhammer banjo zen session… straight up hypnotic” – CITY Newspaper, about March of the Mollusk.

“With a somber and introspective tone, the music carries a quiet poignancy that recalls the straight-forward folk ballads of Dave Van Ronk.” – CITY Newspaper, about “Serenity Song”.

This is a high-caliber musical experience, and every ticket tier is made possible by the deep generosity of our co-founders, donors, facilitators and the broader community that sustains the Connection is the Medicine Foundation.

We offer tiered pricing because we believe in both the value of this work and the importance of access. We ask that you choose the rate that honestly reflects your financial reality.

Generosity Rate: This experience is made possible through a web of generosity. When you choose the Generosity Rate, you become part of that web. Your contribution helps ensure that cost is never the reason someone misses an experience that could change them, and it honors the true value of what our facilitators so lovingly create. Pay it forward, and you're helping to hold a seat open for someone who couldn't otherwise be here.

This rate may be right for you if you:

- Own your home and live without financial worry

- Have investments, savings, or a financial safety net

- Can easily access funds in times of need

- Are moved to make this experience more accessible for others

Your contribution directly honors the true depth of care, skill, and intention our facilitators bring to every offering, and makes broader community access possible.

Standard Rate: Our standard rate is made possible by the ongoing generosity of our co-founders and donors. It reflects our commitment to making these experiences accessible while honoring the true value of what our facilitators bring.

Community Need-Based Access Rate: This reduced rate is made possible by the generosity of our community, our facilitator, and the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, in shared service of broader access and the spirit of care that lives at the heart of this work.

This rate may be right for you if you:

- Struggle to meet your basic financial needs

- Are facing housing, employment, or income instability

- Live paycheck-to-paycheck and lack financial reserves

- Are navigating other significant life challenges

We currently have 3 Community Rate spots available for this event. If they have been filled and you still need support, please reach out to [email protected]. As our Generosity Rate fund grows, so does our ability to offer more.

If you are interested in applying for scholarship support, please reach out to [email protected]

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At True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation, we strive to create intentional, nourishing spaces and experiences for community connection and personal growth. To support a respectful and easeful experience for all, please view our, also listed below.

If you have any questions, you may contact Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming at [email protected]

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This programming is brought to you through the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to co-creating opportunities for people to connect – with self, community, and the natural world – so they can discover meaning, purpose, and happiness in service of our shared consciousness. We envision a world where connection is embodied as a core value that nurtures wholeness within and between us all.

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Where Your Gift Makes a Difference

If you are interested in donating to support more programming like this, please visit our website: https://connectionisthemedicine.com/donate

or contact Valery Moore Kelly Development Director

[email protected]

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True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation reserve the right to cancel any program or event at any time. In the event of a cancellation by TN or the Foundation, participants will receive a full refund.

Please note that certain programs may have unique cancellation policies—refer to individual program descriptions for specific details.

Unless otherwise noted in the program description:

• Refunds are available (minus processing fees) up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time.
• Tickets are transferable to another guest at any time with prior approval from the Event Manager.
• No refunds or credits will be granted for: Cancellations made day-of or after the event has started, No-shows, Early departures, Dissatisfaction with event content or presentation

For all refund or transfer requests, contact Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming at: [email protected]

To support the integrity of the experience for all participants, we ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

• Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in and settle. Events begin promptly at the scheduled start time.
• Late Attendance: Doors will close at the stated start time (e.g., 6:30 PM) to honor the sacred nature of the container and minimize disruptions, and late arrivals will not be admitted
• Substance Use: We ask that all guests arrive free of the influence of drugs or alcohol to maintain a clear, safe, and respectful space.

What to Bring & Community Care: You’re welcome to bring personal comfort items such as an eye mask, a small pillow, an extra blanket, or a yoga mat.

As these are shared community experiences, we kindly ask that you:

• Be mindful of personal hygiene and health
• Respect personal space and boundaries
• Refrain from using scented products that may affect others

Thank you for co-creating a respectful and enriching experience with us. We look forward to welcoming you into our sacred space.

Community Conduct and Shared Space Guidelines: Connection is the Medicine Foundation programs are designed to foster meaningful connection, reflection, and personal growth within a supportive communal environment. We ask all participants to honor a shared social norm of respect, presence, and care for one another’s experience.

If at any time a participant is experiencing an unusual, heightened, or disruptive reaction or response that impacts the collective space, the Foundation and/or Facilitator reserves the right to intervene and, if necessary, ask the individual to step away from the gathering. This is not intended as a judgment, but as a means of protecting the integrity of the shared experience, ensuring that all participants continue their journey without undue disruption.

We invite all participants to practice self-awareness, personal responsibility, and compassion to help us maintain a safe, welcoming, and nourishing environment for all.

If you have questions or concerns regarding Event Etiquette and Policies, you may reach out to Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming: [email protected]

Disclaimer and Hold Harmless Agreement: The views and opinions expressed by facilitators during True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation events, discussions, or any related activities are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of True Nature or the Foundation. We are committed to providing a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue, and the words of facilitators should be understood as their individual viewpoints. Any information or advice shared by facilitators is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official statements or endorsements by True Nature or the Connection is the Medicine Foundation. Participants are encouraged to critically evaluate and form their own opinions based on their own judgment and understanding. True Nature assumes no responsibility for the content shared by facilitators and disclaims any liability arising from the use or reliance on such content.

By purchasing a ticket for this event, you agree to a general release of liability for True Nature and the Connection is the Medicine Foundation. You hereby release and discharge the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, its Board of Trustees, Administrators, Staff, Volunteers and other participants or guardians (herein termed Affiliates) from any and all liability whatsoever of any nature or sort for any property damage or personal injury suffered by the participant.

The participant, to the fullest extent allowed by Law, shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Connection is the Medicine Foundation and its Affiliates from any and all liability for any claim of any nature arising out of any activity, conduct, act or omission of the participant.

Media Release: By completing this registration, the participant grants True Nature + Connection is the Medicine Foundation, and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs and/or videos of participants, taken by True Nature or its agents, for editorial, trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same. The registrant and participant hereby release True Nature and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs or videos.

The registrant and participant hereby affirm that they are over the age of 18 and have the right to contract in expressed name. You agree to have read the above authorization, release, and agreement, prior to its execution, and are fully familiar with the contents of this document. This document shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

Event venue

True Nature Healing Arts, 100 North 3rd Street, Carbondale, United States

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