"Purple Reign" : A Salute to Billie Tucker Planned for July 13th

You may only know her as "the purple lady" but if you live in New Rochelle you've probably met Billie Tucker, a champion for the arts in our community. Now Tutti Bravi will celebrate Billie's "Purple Reign" with a special tribute on Sunday, July 13 at 2 pm at historic Trinity Episcopal Church (311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle). The event -- featuring music by the Brian Carter Quintet -- will provide a retrospective of the work of this tireless cultural arts coordinator from 1975 to 2025. For tickets go to https://www.purplepass.com/events/322508-purple-reign---a-tribute-to-billie-tucker-fundrais-jul-13th-2025

Billie was the heart of the New Rochelle Public Library for 25 years, where she was hired to create a City Cultural Center at the Library in 1979. She more than accomplished her mission before her retirement in 2004, averaging at the time more than 2,400 programs and exhibits a year. In addition to her more than full-time work at the Library, she was an active volunteer in the community for more than 50 years, beginning with the PTA Presidency at each of her children’s schools, as well as New Rochelle PTA Council and Westchester PTA Council President. She was also a Girl Scout leader for 20 years, at all levels of scouting. In her early pursuits to provide a broad base of cultural activities for the community, she sought to bring opera to New Rochelle, co-founding New Rochelle Opera, Inc. in 1985. She also co-founded Tutti Bravi Productions, which seeks to celebrate the lives and achievements of local Westchester residents by representing them in theatrically artistic productions.

An ardent supporter of the arts, Billie was also a key member of the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, working with NRCA from 1979 to 2004 when she was appointed to the Board. Billie served as NRCA's Treasurer for more than 20 years, and was integral to the development of NRCA programs like the Summer Sounds Concerts at Hudson Park and ArtsFest. She continues to be an active member of the NRCA Advisory Board, serving on the Summer Sounds Concert Committee.

Other groups Billie has contributed to include the New Rochelle Council of Community Services, Zonta Club of New Rochelle, New Rochelle TheatreWorks, Literacy Volunteers of Westchester, and numerous professional library associations. Billie has been recognized for her contributions to the arts and the community with awards from numerous organizations including the Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 before she "retired."

Billie is currently producing monologue shows to commemorate Westchester Rev 250 with works such as “Patriots or Loyalists?” and “Neutral Ground or Battleground?” as well as the music drama “Common Sense: The Story of Thomas Paine,” by New Rochelle composer John Taylor Thomas.