About this Event
We open our 2026 season with a concert by Bidwell favorite Diane Taraz, who creates programs that use the music of an era to show the inner lives of people who lived long ago.
Fiction often sticks to what seems plausible, but real life does not have to abide by our expectations of what is possible. Over the centuries all kinds of unbelievable things have happened, and in Surprising But True Diane tells some of these delightful, true stories.
We hear traditional songs and one that Diane wrote about the unlikely life of Deborah Samson, who served during the American Revolution and later became one of the first women to speak in public as she toured New England.
The origins of some of our most familiar songs are surprising. We hear the birth and development of Yankee Doodle, including some particularly rude verses! Diane’s The Great Sea-Serpent of Cape Ann traces the long history of the giant serpent frequently sighted off the Massachusetts coast, and her American Army of Two hails the courage of two teenage girls who saved the town of Scituate from British attack in the War of 1812 by playing a certain melody.
Diane Taraz writes songs and interprets traditional ones, accompanying herself on guitar and dulcimer. She has over two dozen albums streaming worldwide, and she brings her programs exploring history through music to museums, libraries, and historical societies throughout New England. One of her original songs and her interpretation of a traditional carol have been used on television (My Lottery Dream Home) and in a recently released film (A Little Prayer). Her three books are available on Amazon and other outlets. There’s more about her at www.dianetaraz.com.
This concert will be in person at the Bidwell House Museum and will be followed by a small reception to celebrate the opening of the 2026 season. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required.
The house will not be open for tours during the concert, but will reopen for tours by appointment for following day, Monday May 27.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Bidwell House Museum, 100 Art School Road, Monterey, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 20.00
