Newsletter submissions: Liz Pagan Email: newsletter@folkproject.org 32 Williamson Ave., Bloomfield NJ 07003; deadline is the 15th Address corrections and changes: Pat Rolston Email: membership@folkproject.org 50 Wesley Place Box 120, Mount Tabor, NJ 07878 (973) 586-7061 Folk Project Officers: President: Mark Schaffer Vice President: Evelyn Maurer Secretary: Rick Thomas Treasurer: Ed Roffman Trustees: Through 2009: Scooter Ferguson, Ruth Wolfish, Jim West Through 2010: Jim King, Allan Kugel, Mark Schaffer Through 2011: Lois DeRitter, Jim Gartner, Brad Pryor Box 41 Mendham, NJ 07945 www.folkproject.org NEWSLETTER February 2009 The Best Valentine s Day Extravaganza ever! Don t miss this one! The Folk Project runs the Minstrel s house-packing, rip-roaring, over-the-top Valentines love fest every year, but this year s Extravaganza promises to be the most talent-packed show in memory. Dozens of Folk Project favorites will perform along side some great newcomers to our annual celebration of love, lust and broken hearts. On Friday, February 13th, 2009 beginning at 8pm Minstrel Time, 24 songs will be introduced by this year s MC couple, Nancy and George Dugan. This astounding array of passionate offerings to romantic love, eternal love, lost love, frustrated love and base animal attraction will be accompanied by our Valentine s Love Trio featuring guitarist Frank Sole, or by our ten-piece Loving Hearts Club Boogie Band featuring the heart-pounding, rock arrangements of Andy Koenig, or by accompanying themselves in traditional folksinger fashion. You, our brilliant audience of Folk Project hecklers, will also be starring this evening because our MC couple will be reciting your Messages from the Heart for all to hear and enjoy. These clever declarations of Valentine love have become a truly literary, poetic and comedic hit of annual Extravaganza and will be collected by our begowned and ever-elegant Princess Ruth and Magic Margaret. And this night we make it a point to present a full complement of the best desserts of the year. We re having a great show this year. Don t miss it. Mark Schaffer, Folk Project President and Minister of Love February Evening o Music & Love Sat., 2/14, 8pm The Heilbruns Come on, who loves you more than your folkie friends? Come celebrate Singles Awareness Day at the lovely home of Jeff and Maureen Heilbrun. Bring food and drink to share, plus your voices and instruments. Pink construction paper hearts optional. 99 Morris Ave., Mountain Lakes (973) 263-5340. From: 287 South Exit 45, Myrtle Ave. Boonton. Left onto Myrtle Ave. Right at 3rd light Main St. Next left onto Morris Avenue. Pass four-way stop. #99 is third driveway on right. From 287 North Exit 43, Intervale Road/Mountain Lakes. Left onto Intervale Road. Right at first traffic light Fanny Road. Left at four-way stop, Morris Ave.#99 is third driveway on right.
The Minstrel February 2009 presented by Shows at 8:00pm 2/6: The Jeremy Kittel Band and Jacob Johnson AN AGRANOFF IMPERATIVE SHOW! (Program Chairman s note: The Kittel Band s music, synergy, and palpable electricity is extraordinary. This is one show not to miss.) Barely 21 years old out of Saline Michigan, JEREMY KITTEL holds more honors from Scots and Irish fiddling competitions than most fiddlers will see in a lifetime. If that weren't enough, he graduated from U. Michigan's jazz program with the School of Music's highest honor and is currently touring the world withthe renowned avant-garde classical Turtle Island String Quartet. The band for this tour includes Kyle Sanna (guitar), Paul Kowert (bass), and Bodek Janke (percussion), three young virtuosi, and the electricity they generate is tangible. He's got the fire and he's got the chops, and look out world, here comes Jeremy! It would be hard to find an opener who would not be totally eclipsed by Kittel, but JACOB JOHNSON is the man. Hailing from upstate South Carolina, Jacob is a one-of-a-kind solo acoustic performance artist who specializes in a style of guitar playing he calls "Neo-acoustic folk/funk". His off-the-cuff sense of humor and tongue-in-cheek sensibility disarm the audience and leave them completely unprepared for the multilayered guitar masterworks he unleashes. His instrumental technique, while unconventional, never loses its balance or control or musicality. His lyrics, thoughtful and realistic, are delivered with the wry sort of charisma that makes you wonder if he isn t just making it all up as he goes. And sometimes he is. 2/13: Valentine s Day Extravaganza Twenty-four enthusiastic Folk Projectiles will present songs of love, broken hearts, and the frustrations of coupling. Rock songs will be accompanied by our 10-piece Loving Hearts Club Big Boogie Band and jazz standards by our own Valentines Love Trio featuring the guitar stylings of Frank Sole. Folk singers will perform in the traditional folkie fashion. And Princess Ruth will collect Messages from the Heart that you compose and will be read by our MC couple to an audience packed with your loving Folk Project community. Note: There will be no Open Stage in February. 2/20: Illegal Contraband and and Introduction to Contra Dancing ILLEGAL CONTRABAND has grown into one of the most active and acclaimed dance bands in the area contra dance scene. But they also put on a fine concert as well, getting to show off some of the vocal and composing skills of the members that don't surface at dances. The band features Folk Project members AJ Bodnar on keyboard and accordion, Liza DiSavino on guitar, whistle, cornet, and horn, and Tom Wetmore on bass. Instead of an opening act this week, we will present a demonstration of, and an opportunity to try, CONTRA DANCING. The Folk Project, in addition to the Minstrel, also produces Swingin Tern Dances, a twicemonthly contra dance series in Chatham. We will be inviting some of the SnT regulars to come and demonstrate this social dance form, with Bob Isaacs calling the dances. Then Minstrel attendees will be invited to try their hand at Contra Dancing with instruction by Bob, Illegal Contraband providing the music, and with the SnT regulars as experienced dance partners. All first-time dancers will be invited to attend the Swingin Tern Dance the following night in Chatham for free. 2/27: David Mallet and Toby Walker DAVID MALLET has been one of the most respected songwriters over the past two decades. His classics, "The Garden Song" and "I Knew This Place" have passed into the category of "traditional" folk songs, in that the songs themselves have become more widely sung and known than their author. His songs have been sung and recorded by Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, John Denver and the Muppets. Opener TOBY WALKER is worthy of a headline set himself (and will be appearing as a headliner on July 31). The Blues Revue called him "...a brilliant remarkable guitarist. A pinch of Piedmont, a dash of Delta, a solid Chicago undercurrent minus the amplification, but not the electricity." At home with both wooden and steel guitars, Toby plays the classics as well as his own songs with an open style and a dash of humor. UPCOMING: 3/6: Maritime singer CHARLIE ZAHM; 3/20: Classic songwriter MICHAEL SMITH; 3/27: Folk Project favorites CINDY MANGSEN & STEVE GILLETTE; 4/3: THE WIYOS Outstanding jug band music; 4/17: CLOSED For the Folk Project Spring Festival; 4/24: CREAKING TREE STRING QUARTET Chamber bluegrass ; 5/1: Songwriter AMY SPEACEl 5/8: JOEL MABUS Muulti-instrumental virtuoso & songwriter; 5/22: FRANK & HANK Jazz guitar duo The Minstrel is an acoustic music concert series run by the Folk Project, a non-profit folk music and arts organization. We use the facilities of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ. We hold shows almost every Friday, year round, and the second Friday of the month is usually an open stage/audition night. The music we present is "folk" music in its broadest sense. That is, in addition to traditional American and ethnic "folk" music (in its purist definition), we welcome music of contemporary, primarily acoustic songwriters, and other types of music more folkie in attitude than in content. Shows start at 8:00 PM; dress is casual. We serve coffee, teas, and baked goods. There is no alcohol or tobacco on the premises. Admission is inexpensive; on our regular Friday concerts we ask $7.00 on your way in, and, if you feel the show was worth it, an additional amount at your discretion on the way out, which goes to supplement what we pay the feature performer. For travel information, or information on shows call 973 335 9489 or visit our website at http://www.folkproject.org. To volunteer call Sandie at (908) 501-3842 volunteers@folkproject.org Sat., 1/31: Tern Swings! Sat., 2/7: Marty Fager/ Off n Ensemble Heidi Hammel-concertina, hammered dulcimer; Bob Yarbrough-bodhran, banjo, flute, whistle; Tom Grant-bass; Steve Smith-guitar, saxophone Contras My Favorite Marty crashlands in Chatham. Stranded on earth, Uncle Marty passes himself off as a contradance caller. With a wiggle of his finger, Marty levitates dancers off the floor as they martian formation. He sends up his antennae to receive the transmissions of Off n Ensemble. Tuning in to the out of this world rhythms of the band, dancers go down the hall in alien of four. Spacewear mars the floor so wear soft soled shoes. Sat., 2/21: Paul Somlo/Illegal Contraband A.J. Bodnar-keyboards; Liza DeSavino-whistle, guitar, cornet, French horn; Peter Blue-accordion, percussion; Tom Wetmore-bass Contras Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home Somlo, sweet dance caller, Coming for to dance me on home I looked over Chatham and what did I see Coming for to carry me home Order your Swingin' A Band Illegal coming after me Tern 25th Anniversary Playing like a musical poem Personalized Name Sometimes I swing and sometimes I turn Button at Around the dance floor I roam dance.folkproject.org My soul is filled with heavenly sound From the band with their metronome If you get there before I do Like bees swarm to a honeycomb Tell all my friends I m coming too At Swingin Tern I feel at home Swing low, sweet contra danc, Coming for to carry me home Swing low at Swingin Tern, Coming for to dance me on home Non-dancing children must be supervised at all times. Beginner s workshop, 7:30pm; dance at 8pm. $10, $5 with student I.D. Soft soles only. Presented by the Folk Project. Ogden Memorial Church, Chatham Contra and Square Dancing to live music. All dances taught. No partner necessary. Located on Rte. 124 (Main St.) in downtown Chatham, northern NJ. From NJTP (exit 14) or GSP (exit 142), take Rte. 78 West to exit 48. Take Rte. 24 West to exit 7A (Chatham) onto Rte. 124 which is Main St. Ogden Memorial on right just after 4th light, across from Bean Curd Restaurant. Use Elmwood entrance. From Rte. 287 (exit 35) take Rte. 124 East 6 miles into Chatham. Ogden Memorial on left just before 1st downtown light. By train: Morristown line to Chatham station, go 1 block north. (973) 762-4947 or (973) 635-1048 or Folk Phone, (973) 822-1313 TERN ON THE NET! find us at dance.folkproject.org 15
Feets Don t Fail Me Now! Blue Ribbon Cloggers: Meets in Pluckemin, Tuesdays, 7pm. Call Paula Fromen (908) 735-9133 or Heidi Rusch (908) 453-2750 for info. Center Contra: Gender-role free contra dance in NYC. LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th St., Room 301, 7:30pm. Usually 2nd Fri. Open to all. (971) 991-0597, (347) 275-7983, or www.lcfd.org/nyc or email AmericanFolkDanceNYC@yahoo.com Country Dance*New York: dances every Saturday, English country dance every Tuesday, at the Church of the Village, 201 West 13th St. and 7th Ave., NYC. Soft soled shoes only. www.cdny.org, (212) 459-4080; Sat., 2/7: David Millstone/Sleight of Hand; 2/21: Don Flaherty/Off n Ensemble Hambo workshop at 7:15pm; 2/28: Yonina Gordon/Brooklyn Swing Ensemble Hambo workshop at 7:15pm Lambertville Country Dancers: Soft soled shoes only! Contra/English country. Info: (609) 882-7733 or www.lambertvillecountrydancers.org Maplewood International Dancers: New location: Recreation House, 124 Dunnellen Rd., Maplewood. Mondays 7:30pm, $5. Beginners welcome, partner not necessary, refreshments served. Days (908) 273-6468, eves (973) 376-7568 Morristown International Dancers: Wednesdays, Mountain Lakes Comm. Church, 48 Briarcliff Rd, 8:30pm, 7:30pm beginners. $4 member/$5 non-member (973) 539-7020 or (973) 228-5966, http://us.geocities.com/njfolkdance/fd_morristown.html North Jersey English Country Dancers: 2-5pm, Unitarian Church, Cottage Place, Ridgewood, potluck, $8/members, $10/non-mem. (201) 664-4370, (201) 652-4014. www.maxellute.net/njecd.html; 2/8: Beverly Francis; 2/22: Judi Rivkin Palisades Folk Dancers: Twice a month on Sundays, 3pm, Church of the Atonement, Engle St. & Highland Ave., Tenafly. GinnyandHallB@cs.com. Philly Family Folk Dances: Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 The Oak Rd, East Falls, PA. 2nd Sundays, 2-4:30pm (215) 844-2474 Princeton Folk Dance Group: 7:30pm, Riverside School, Riverside Drive, Princeton. Tuesdays (except school closings) www.princetonfolkdance.org (609) 924-6930 Princeton Folk Dancers: 8pm Fridays, Susan Patterson Center, Stockton St. & Monument Dr. (behind Borough Hall), Princeton, www.princetonfolkdance.org Princeton Country Dancers: Suzanne Patterson Center, Borough Hall, Princeton, Wed. (and some Saturdays) 8pm, beginners 7:40. Pickup band musicians welcome. Usually $6. (609) 683-7956 or (609) 924-8813, email pcdinfo@aol.com. Band info only: (609) 252-0248 or srl@mail.princeton.edu performerlisting at www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Special Community Dance, www.princetonol.com/groups/pcd/ PCD English Country Dance series: Dance 8-11, intro/basics at 7:30. $8 ($4 seniors & students). Call for info. Scandinavian Folk Dancing: Bound Brook. Alt. Thursdays, See skandinoje.org for info. Swingin Tern: Sat., 1/31: Tern Swings; Sat., 2/7: Marty Fager/Off n Ensemble; Sat., 2/21: ; Paul Somlo/Illegal Contraband Valley Contra Dance Society: 7pm, 2nd and 4th Saturdays, UU Church of The Lehigh Valley, 424 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA. $9/$5 students. www.valleycontradance.org, (610) 868-7432; 2/14: Dave Rupp/Contrella; 2/28: TBA/Lost on the Turnpike 14 More on dancing at the Country Dance and Song Society www.cdss.org Members Gigs & Friends Mike Agranoff: Sat., 2/28: opening for Jonathan Bodian, Last Licks, Huntington, NY. (631) 427-9547 or www.lastlickscafe.org Jennie Avila: Sun., 2/1: West River Improvement Association Benefit Concert with Hot Soup Galesville, MD (near Annapolis), 4pm. info: JanieMeneely@gmail.com Laible Blutman: Sat., 2/21: Cafe Z Pat Flaherty: Feb. 10 March 2, Greenberry's Coffee, 46 Park Place, Morristown. Catch a cup of java and see the new art exhibit of realistic landscape paintings by Pat. Story Singers(Toby Fagenson and Jane Babits): Sat., 2/28: 8pm, NYC. For info/reservations, contact tomora0303@earthlink.net or (212)-366-0303 Yoga with Liz: Maplewood 6 sessions: Sat., 1/10, 17, 24, 31; 2/7, 28. 9 10am, Level 1, $72; 10:15-11:45am, intermediate, $84. Register Studio Yoga, (973) 966-5311; Montclair 8 sessions starting 1/8, Level I, Thurs. 7:30-8:45pm, register (973) 429-0288 or lizpagan@verizon.net SCAN CABARET: Sat., Jan. 31 at MUF A night of Great Music and Great Stories at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship This year marks the Service Committee Action Network s 23rd Annual Benefit Concert for Humanitarian Aid for Central America. We have exciting acts this year, Jean Rohe is returning with her beautiful voice singing jazz and blues; Tyler, Schmidt, and Spirig will perform their original jazz, blues (and maybe some honky-tonk); Matt Kanelos and the Smooth Maria an exciting NYC indie band; and Martin Dockery, solo storyteller from the premier storytelling organization, The Moth. And all of this will be brought together by the Master of Ceremonies, Jim Blanton. Concert is for the continued support of the many organizations who deliver aid to Central American countries. There will also be a 50/50 raffle which you can buy tickets for ahead of time and you don t have to be present to win. The doors will open at 7pm and the festivities will officially begin at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20, in advance, for unreserved seating, $25 if purchased after January 25, 2008 and $30 for reserved Patron seats. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages (BYOB) are included. Tickets for the concert and the 50/50 raffle will go on sale at the MUF Box Office on January 4 or by calling Michelle Kunz at (973) 945.5174 or emailing mbkunz@gmail.com...horses Sing None of It! Is a folksy non-commercial public access TV series featuring a surprising variety of guest performers, hosted by Ralph Litwin. All types of (mainly acoustic) music, storytellers, dancers, others. Schedule available at the Folk Project web page. Seen on: Cablevision Morris area, Sundays 7:300pm ch. 21; Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), New York City, Thursdays 2:30pm on Time/Warner Cable ch. 34 and on RCN Cable ch. 82; also broadcast via streaming video on the web at www.mnn.org (popup players 34/82 http mms); Comcast (formerly Patriot Media/Somerset, NJ) Fridays 3:30pm, ch. 280; Comcast Cablevision of Northwest NJ, Mondays 3:30pm ch. 21; Service Electric Cable TV Allentown, PA, Thursdays 9:30pm ch. 50; Staten Island Community TV (SICTV) Saturdays 6pm, ch. 34; Fargo Access (www.cityoffargo.com/cable) on Cable One Fridays 6:30pm & Mondays 3:00pm Ch. 12 in Fargo, ND; LVTV-3, Adelphia Cable, La Verne, CA at Fridays 6:00pm 3
4 All Venues That s Fit To Print Albert Hall/Sounds of the NJ Pines: Country/bluegrass/folk every Saturday. 125 Wells Mills Rd. (Route 532), Waretown. (609) 971-1593 or www.alberthall.org; Sat., 1/17: Laible Blue Blutman & the Waretown Philharmonic Acoustic Café: Our Lady of Mercy Church, 2 Fremont Ave, Park Ridge, NJ, 8pm, (201) 573-0718, www.goodacoustic.com/cafe.htm; Borderline Folk Music House Club: Info: (845) 354-4586, www.borderlinefolkmusic.4themax.com; Sun., 2/15: Pat Wictor 2pm, New City Ambulance Corps Bldg, 200 Congers Rd., New City, NY Brennen Coffee House: Justice William Brennan Court House, 583 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Show starts 7pm, evening concludes w/ open mike. (800) 542-7894, www.brennancoffeehouse.com; Fri., 2/20: Ron Renniger w/ Chrissy Roberts Bluegrass & Old Time Music Assoc. (BOTMA): Every 3rd Sun. from Sept. thru May, Embury United Methodist Church Hall, 49 Church St., Little Silver, NJ. 1-5pm. $4 for BOTMA members / $5 for non-members. Info : www.newjerseybluegrass.org Café Z: Third Saturdays: open mic, 7pm concert. $5 inc. refreshments, Zion Lutheran Church, corner of Elm and Esterbrook Aves., Rahway. (732) 388-3865; Sat., Feb. 21: Laible Laible Blu Blutman Chantey Sing: Seamen s Church Institute, 241 Water St., 2nd fl., NYC 8pm. www.woodenshipsmusic.com/nychanty/nychanty.html Coffee With Conscience: 1st United Methodist Church of Westfield, 1 E. Broad St. 8pm info 908-412-9105, Concerts4Causes@aol.com; www.coffeewithconscience.com; Sat., 2/14: Carrie Newcomer Community Theater at Mayo Center for Performing Arts: 100 South St., Morristown, NJ, for tickets/info call 973-539-8008, www.mayoarts.org, shows at 8pm Crossroads Coffeehouse: 8pm, Crossroads Community Church, 104 Bartley Rd., Flanders. (973) 786-7940 or (908) 879-7739; Sat., 2/7: Project Mercury Delaware River Folksong Fellowship: Song circle the 2nd Sunday at the Friends Meeting House in Mount Holly, NJ, www.myspace.com/delawareriverfolksongfellowship Dull Music: www.dullmusic.com Folk Friday in Maplewood: Informal 2nd Fri. sing-along session for all ages. Starts 7:30pm, hosted by Lisa Novemsky. Ethical Culture Center, 516 Prospect St., Maplewood. Call (973) 763-1905 to confirm date, for directions Godfrey Daniels: 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA (610) 867-2390, www.godfreydaniels.org Good Coffeehouse: 53 Prospect Park W. at 2nd St., Park Slope, Brooklyn, doors open at 7:30, music at 8pm, (718) 768-2972 or www.bsec.org Fri., 2/6: Beaucoup Blue; 2/20: Harmonic Insurgence, Dayna Kurtz; 2/28: Frank & Nancy Moccaldi & Friends Hand Made Music: Open mic 3rd Saturday, The Community Presbyterian Church, 145 Carletondale Road, Ringwood, jim1962@verizon.net; On Hiatus The Hillside Cafe Coffee House: 45 Hillside Crescent, Nutley. Doors open at 7:30, show at 8pm. (973) 616-0106 or jrlds@comcast.net, www.hillsidecafe.com; Sat., 2/21: Pat Wictor, Sirs Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club: Fair Lawn Community Center, 10-10 20th St., Fair Lawn 8pm. (201) 384-1325. www.hurdygurdyfolk.org; Sat., 2/7: Ellis & Antje Duvekot GOOD OF THE ORDER/COMMUNITY NEWS This is a place to share news about memorable events and challenges you have faced in the past month with your Folk Project Community. Please send details for inclusion in this column to Eddie Roffman, eroffman@optonline.net. After the death of their cat, Tiger, aged 18, Rick and Cathy Thomas have adopted a new cat, Vinnie. Vinnie is a tuxedo cat of early middle age. They stepped up to adopt Vinnie after their next-door neighbor, Ursula, passed away at age 82. Rick and Cathy s daughter Susanna (who calls herself Thomas ) has been accepted to study law at the UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. She ll be moving from Philly to to Frisco in mid-january. Meanwhile, folkie Andrew Dunn of Consider it Dunn contracting, will be removing the 30 year old and twice-flooded wall to wall carpet in their jam-room and replacing it with good, solid, non-dust absorbing waterproof tile. Rick also mentions that he is scheduled for a root canal in mid-month. Paul Ferris just completed his first semester as a graduate student, in NYU s new Irish and Irish American Studies MA program. He also teaches a beginning Irish (Gaelic) class at NYU, as well as two levels of language classes at the Irish Arts Center in Hell s Kitchen. Russ and Nancy Kelner say Thank you! to their Folk Project friends for the good wishes, prayers and healing thoughts during Russ s recent bout with back pain. He is home now and doing well. Tim Weinrich, who has been dealing with heart problems during the past couple of months, is planning to undergo additional surgery on Jan. 23. The prognosis is that by the time you read this he should be home and recovering. Please keep your cards, letters, prayers and good wishes flowing. Mark and Robin Schaffer are really glad that their dog, Mercury, seems to have escaped his bout with paralysis due to complications from back problems, without having needed surgery. Elizabeth had a wonderful time in Chicago. Her son Thomas looked gallant, posing for photos in his school uniform. It felt great to be together, celebrating the holidays with their family. Mark Schaffer, Carl Croce and Ken Galipeau performed for the Heartlands Hayride Radio Show on WDVR. and were well received. Carl, who seems to be starting to be somewhat of a regular on the show, is going to hear vocalist Roberta Gambarini performing with the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York on Jan. 12. Carl says she is the next Ella Fitzgerald. Lois DeRitter spent a wonderful week visiting her daughter over Christmas. Sad news from Canada: Tanglefoot violinist Sandra Swanell s partner, Dave, who has been battling leukemia since last spring, lost that battle on Dec. 20. The good part is that he was at home for his last few days, with Sandra, family and friends around him, and was comfortable in the end. This year will be Tanglefoot s farewell tour year, after 20 years of touring. Coming in March A Folk Project Special Event Workshop: Five Steps to Make You a Better Performer A guitar workshop with Randall Williams Sat., March 14 3:30 5:0pm, followed by Pot Luck/Evening o Music Randall Williams will show ways to improve performance technique and introduce you to the use of strum and travis picking, string damping, chord progression, open tuning and the use of partial capos. You will will be able to apply these techniques immediately and see how they can open you up to new worlds of musical possibilities. The workshop will be beneficial to both novice and experienced players, and will include individual as well as group instruction. Bring a song to perform. Following a break for a pot-luck dinner you ll be able to apply what you learned at the evening o music. Location for all events is he home of Pam Robinson and Bob Safranek, 20 Fairmount Rd., New Providence. Tickets for the workshop are $25; available at the Minstrel and via Paypal. For more info: (908) 591-6491 or concerts@folkproject.org 13
Folk Project Board Meeting January 2009: Board Meeting: The Summary At the home of Ruth Wolfish, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM by President Mark Schaffer. The weather was icy, so we never achieved a quorum. No motions were passed. Attendees: TRUSTEES Lois De Ritter(11), Scooter Ferguson(09), Jim King(10), Ruth Wolfish(09). (President) Mark Schaffer(10). OFFICERS (Vice President) Evelyn Maurer, (Treasurer) Ed Roffman, (Secretary) Rick Thomas. OTHERS (Minstrel) Mike Agranoff, (S'n'T)Connie Crawford, (Newsletter) Carl Croce, (Community Affairs) Elizabeth Lachowicz, (Publicity & Webmaster) George Otto, (Special Concerts) Pam Robinson, (Merchandise)Bobbie Rosengarten, (Sound)Bob Safranek. GUESTS Hartmann. Acceptance of the minutes: the minutes of December were accepted without correction. Location of future meetings: February-Bob&Pam, March-Mark, April-Eddie, May-Bobbie, June-Connie, July-Mark. Volunteers for the remaining months are solicited. Treasurer s Report: Eddie reported that he is successfully writing checks, so the transition is underway. He notes that he has lots to learn, but the system looks good. He will be away February 11th-28th so please plan accordingly. Membership: Pat has sent out the January membership roster. Newsletter: Carl reports that his first mailing went out somoothly. For the enewsletter, Chris reports that he is working toward a more webish structure. He also envisions an eflyer for distribution to the genral (non-member) public. Merchandising: See the article in January s NL for an idea of the direction Margaret wants to take the activity in. Internal Affairs: Jean reports that this month's party is at the home of Nancy Haslam, in Morris Plains. February's party will be on February 14 (Singles Awareness Day) at the home of Jeff and Maureen Heilbrun in Mountain Lakes. Community Affairs: Elizabeth reports that she is working on the updated Performers Directory. Publicity: George has been cleaning up dead links on the web page. Some page updates are waiting on copy that must come from the Committees (hint, hint). Pam suggested links to the FP facebook page (administered by Connie s daughter, Cody Chase.) Sound: Bob reports that they have purchased two new mics for the Minstrel. If folks like them, they will get two more. Finance: Andy submitted an (as usual) very complete written report. Copies are available from the Secretary. The short summary is The bad news is that we lost money again in the 4th quarter. The good news is that the loss is much less than we would have had with many of the alternatives we considered, and we actually gained in December. Minstrel: Mike reports that December is always slow. January and February look to be strong with Anne Hills, Jeremy Kittel (Agranoff Imperative), David Mallett, and the Contra demo all on tap. Larry Flanigan and Mike will again be doing sound with the FP equipment for the MUF S.C.A.N. concert on Jan 31. Hopefully, we ll have a good Spring. Connie asked if anybody is working on recruiting college kids from the local colleges and universities? There was a call for volunteers to take this on. Minstrel Staffing: Hartmann points out that we look good when we have enough volunteers to cover the jobs, but we look really bad when we don t. We re not getting enough volunteers. Sandie s doing everything she can, but it s not enough. Hartman affirmed that reaching out to people is the best way to get them to volunteer. Ruth noted that she is trying out the greeter position idea. Swingin Tern: Connie reports that the New Year s Eve Dance and the 25th Anniversary dance on January 3rd were big successes. We are looking at a possible move to a new location. Rent at Ogden Church is currently $275 and goes up to $300 in mid 2009. Lois suggested that if we re going to be moving anyway, we should add air-conditioning as a desirable item. Horses Sing None of It: Ralph reports that in December we received the $1000 advance on royalties for the John Jackson DVD footage from Stefan Grossman so HSNOI is in the black this year. The DVD is to be released this month on Rounder/Vestapol. Lots of good stuff coming up. Special Concerts: Pam says that 2009 looks to be an exciting year for the Folk Project. Special Concerts is planning a lot of exciting events: Peter Ostroushko, A Special Concert at the Minstrel Friday January 16. Tickets $15. Peter will be accompanied by guitarist Danny Gotham. Tern Swings! featuring Reeds, Rhythm, and All That Brass. This event is in partnership with Swingin Tern at the Ogden Memorial Church on Saturday January 31st. Tickets $15 advance/$20 door. Both dance and listening areas will be available. Festival: Lori reports that work on the spring 09 festival is well under way. We have booked all of the performers. Featured performers are Small Potatoes, the Dave Rowe Trio and Harvey Reid. The Folk Project performers are Scooter, Kathy Moser and Amy Ksir and Tom Rhoads. The caller is Dan Black and Rumpus will be the band for the big contra dance on Saturday afternoon. It s full speed ahead for 2009! Storytelling: Rivka is going to an event to explore new storytelling venues. Adjournment: at 9:55 PM. Next meeting will be at Bob & Pam Safranek/Robinson s house on Feb. 3. 12 MoFiddles/Menzel Violins: 4260 Town Center Way, Livingston, NJ, Bluegrass & Old Time Music Jam 1st Thursdays 7pm, RSVP to (973) 994-1083 or mo@mofiddles.com, $12; Sun., 2/8, 4pm: Republic of Strings featuring Darol Anger, Scott Nygaard, Brittany Haas and Mike Block Music at the Mission: West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, (973) 728-3081, www.musicatthemission.org; Sat., 2/14: The McDades Outpost In The Burbs: at the Unitarian Church of Montclair, 67 Church St., Montclair (973) 744-6560. Doors open 8pm, concert at 8:30. www.outpostintheburbs.org. Next concert; Call for info People s Voice Cafe: The Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 East 35th St. (bet. Madison & Park), NYC, 8pm, www.peoplesvoicecafe.org or (212) 787-3903; Sat., 2/7: Brooklyn Women s Chorus; 2/14: Rod MacDonald; 2/21: Sally Campbell, Adele Rolider; 2/28: Colleen Kattau & Band, Barry Kornhauser. Pinewoods Folk Music Club: 444 W. 54th St., #7, New York, NY 10019, (718) 651-1115, www.folkmusicny.org The Place: House Concerts, 3pm potluck, 4pm concert. RSVP to jamask8@comcast.net or (973) 992-7491 for info; Sun., 2/1: The Folk Brothers (David Massengill/Jack Hardy) Princeton Folk Music Society: Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton, 8pm, (609) 799-0944 $15/Members $10/$3 kids under 12. www.princetonfolk.org; Fri., 2/10: Anne Hills Sacred Harp Singings: Much info at http://www.fasola.org/; 2nd Sun.: 2pm, St. Paul s Church, 199 Carroll St, Brooklyn. (718) 293-2848; 3rd Sun.: 2:30pm, St. Bart s Church, 109 E. 50th St., NYC. (212) 750-8977; 4th Sun. (except July & August): 2pm, Montclair Friends Mtg, Park & Gordonhurst. (973) 509-2165; 1st Sat. (except July/August): 3pm, Living Room, 154 Ludlow St., NYC Sanctuary Concerts: The Presbyterian Church, 240 Southern Boulevard, Chatham. Most concerts 8pm, www.sanctuaryconcerts.org; Sat., 2/7: Leon Redbone; Sat., 2/21: Jonathan Edwards, Carsie Blanton Second Saturdays Coffee House/Open Mic: Summit Unitarian Church, 4 Waldron Ave. Sign up at 7:30pm, shows at 8pm. If you are a singer/songwriter & would like to host one, call (908) 412-9105 Concerts4Causes@aol.com; Sat., 2/14 Second Saturday Music Cafe: (formerly Mine Street), First Reformed Church, 9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 732-672-0272, www.secondsaturdaymusiccafe.com; Sat., 2/14: Chuck Brodsky Mention MYCHOTR, PFMS, or Folk Project and get a $10 discount. South Street Seaport Sea Music Concerts: South Street Seaport Gallery, 3pm, NYC. (212) 691-7610 Stony Brook Friends of Old Time Music Jam: Mannion s Pub & Restaurant, 140 West Main Street, Somerville. Starting around 7:30pm. (609) 924-5353 or visit www.diamondcut.com/oldtime/; 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month Sunday Night Music Club: www.sanctuaryconcerts.org The Uptown Coffeehouse: Soc. for Ethical Culture, 4450 Fieldston Rd., Bronx, NY, 5pm, $15/$3 kids <12. www.uptowncoffeehouse.org, (718) 885-2498; Sun., 2/8: Bill Staines Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse: United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Ave., White Plains, (914) 949-2146,.WalkaboutClearwater.org; Sat., 2/14: Vance Gilbert Watchung Arts Center: 18 Sterling Road (on the Watchung Circle) Watchung, NJ, 8pm, (908) 412-9105; Sat, 2/7: Tracy Grammer Lotsa Jams listed at http://home.comcast.net/~epollak/jam.htm 5
6 Cross-Fertilization The Folk Project has been holding concerts for over 33 years and contra dances for 25 years. The Minstrel and Swinging Tern Dances are about 5 miles from each other. And yet relatively few attendees of each venue make the crossover to the other. Coming in February, we have an opportunity to introduce the regulars of our concerts to our dance and vice versa. On Friday, February 20, the featured act at the Minstrel is Illegal Contraband. They will also be providing the music for the dance at Swinging Tern on Saturday, February 21. Instead of having an opening act at the Minstrel, we will have an Introduction to Contra Dancing. We are inviting all attendees of Swinging Tern to come to the Minstrel free that evening. We will do a couple of contras as a demonstration. We ll then invite the Minstrel regulars to do a brief Beginners Workshop with the Tern regulars as partners, and dance one simple contra with the experienced dancers. Bob Isaacs will be calling the dances and leading the Beginners Workshop in the Terrace Room of MUF with a nice wooden floor. And both Tern and Minstrel attendees will enjoy the concert in the Meeting Room. Then, any Minstrel regulars who want to try their hand (and feet) at more contra dancing will be invited to attend Swinging Tern for free the following night. This is a win-win situation. We always announce the other venue at our concerts and dances. But now we get the regulars of each to actually experience the other half of the Folk Project. Maybe even become regulars at both venues. Illegal s core members, AJ Bodnar and Liza DiSavino are longtime Folk Project members who moved to upstate NY a number of years ago. As a dance band they add spice to the traditional contra dance repertoire with unusual instrumentation (cornet, French horn, whistle and some great keyboard work) and rhythms, as well as some of their own tunes. As a concert band they add classy song writing and song selection and great vocals to the mix. Mike Agranoff, Minstrel Program Chair (and contra-dancer) Winter Weekend 2009 Theme o the Year: Fiddling While Rome Burns Fri. Sun. Feb 20 22; Somewhere in lower upstate New York Thirty ODD folkies convene at a private home to share food, chitchat, music and communal vibes. Registration limited to 25 on site. Contact lizpagan@verizon.net (or (973) 429-0288, days or before 8pm) to register or for more details. Unusually, we re not filled up as of 1/17/09, so if you ve been curious about WW, call for more details. Day trippers most welcome! The Roxbury Arts Alliance presents Beatlemania Again Friday, Feb. 27 Roxbury High School The concert benefits the Roxbury High School Classic Sounds Honors Choir, who have been selected to the 2009 All Eastern Music Education National Conference. Tickets are $20 and can also be purchased in advance at the Roxbury Recreation Center or through the Roxbury Arts Alliance at www.roxburyartsalliance.org. Visa and Mastercard orders can be used with the mail-in ticket order form available on our website. Beatlemania Again is a national touring Beatles stage show that has performed throughout the US. Check out their website, www.beatlemaniaagain.com, for more information on them. Concert info: Mark at (201) 745-7718 or email president@roxburyartsalliance.org. Join the Folk Project Cut out this handy dandy membership form and mail it, with your membership fee, to Pat Rolston, membership@folkproject.org or 50 Wesley Place Box 120, Mount Tabor, NJ 07878 (973) 586-7061 Choose at least one: New Renew Doo be doo Name Address Home Tel. Work Tel. E mail 1: E mail 2: Do you play or sing music: [ ] For fun [ ] Occasionally perform in public [ ] Professionally or semi-professionally Basic Individual membership @ $20/year $ (You ll receive this personal monthly newsletter.) Supporting membership @ $25/year $ (Personal monthly newsletter PLUS our eternal gratitude) Family membership* $ (Additional family members @ $3 each per year) Multiple Year Membership $ number of banjo-tossing years X type of membership. You do the math. DONATION to Folk Project (Tax deductible! We are also eligible for Corporate Matching Donations and banjos.) $ NEW! Please check one: Total amount enclosed: I d like to receive a print newsletter $ I d like to save trees and receive an Enewsletter Make your check payable to: The Folk Project *Family membership is one basic or supporting membership plus $3 for each additional family member/banjo. Please list the names of additional family members: Pinewoods Folk Music Weekend Fri. Sun. Feb. 6 8 The Folk Music Society of New York winter getaway with informal music making all weekend long instrumental jams, ballad singing, contemporary songs, traditional songs, whatever! There s even jigsaw puzzles and skiing, sledding, shopping and hiking. Location: The Warwick Center in New York s Greenwood Lake area, 465 acres, 7 miles of hiking trails. The activities are in 3 buildings joined by both indoor and covered outdoor walkways; central gathering room with fireplace and several smaller gathering areas. Ideal for informal music making. Info/reservation form: www.folkmusicny.org/weekends.html. Reservations may also be made directly online at www.winterfolkwknd.eventbrite.com. Phone info: (718) 549-1344 (after 11am). Note: Folk Project members get reciprocal Member Rates. 11
Wednesday, March 11 7:30pm Morristown Unitarian Fellowship 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown NJ $20.00 in advance $25.00 at the door Tickets: Minstrel Desk or www.folkproject.org Information: concerts@folkproject.org 908-591-6491 Funding for this event has been made possible in part by funds from the Arts Council of the Morris Area through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State a Partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Thanks to Special People The Jan. 16 Special Concert at The Minstrel featuring Peter Ostroushko was a well attended and magical event. I would like to thank the Special Concerts Committee for putting this event together and the many volunteers who made the night so wonderful. Pam Robinson, Special Concerts Chair Jeremy Kittel 2/6: An Agranoff Imperative February s lineup at the Minstrel opens with an act I m real excited about. Jeremy Kittel was one of those kid fiddlers that seemed to take to the instrument by instinct, as if it were hard-wired into his DNA. He was winning Irish and old-time fiddle contests against masters while in his early teens. I saw him at a Folk Alliance Convention in 2004, and immediately booked him at the Minstrel. He did a solo set, which was excellent, but not particularly well-attended. His performing career was somewhat curtailed during his studies at the University of Michigan where he received highest honors in their jazz program. I next encountered him at the 2007 Old Songs Festival where he had put together a band of 20-something musicians of the highest caliber. And this combination put his music over the top. Watching and listening to this ensemble of young virtuosi bouncing their music off each other, challenging each other, and rising to that challenge was a rare experience to this jaded observer. I was delighted when I could schedule that same band at the Minstrel for August 2007. Only a couple of weeks before their gig, Jeremy called with the distressing news that he had developed a serious case of tendonitis, and was unable to play at all, and was canceling all his scheduled performances for the indefinite future. Since that time, I ve been in contact with him as he overcame this debilitating condition, resumed his playing, and was finally engaged by the avant-garde chamber group, the Turtle Island String Quartet as a permanent member. We managed to find a hole in his schedule, and Jeremy has reconstitute the original band I saw at Old Songs. They re scheduled at the Minstrel for February 6. Do not miss this show. Even the opener, Toby Walker is worthy of a feature set (and will indeed be the headliner at the Minstrel on July 31.) This whole show is going to be a killer. Mike Agranoff, Minstrel Program Chair It s time to register for Festival Folk Project Spring 2009 Festival April 17 19, 2009 Star Lake Camp, Bloomingdale, NJ The frosty February air makes it seem like spring will never come, but the vernal equinox is just around the corner. And that means it s time to register for the Festival our first genuine festival at our new digs. Last September we had a trial weekend at the new camp that we called TESTival. The weekend and the new digs garnered rave reviews. Here s a small sampling: The grounds are wonderful, pleasant outdoor spaces. Loved the new dance venue. It suits our needs perfectly. Sleeping choice, privacy, nicer concert hall and dining hall. Ambiance, good vibes, harmony, warm and fuzzy feelings. Full details about the performers, our new caterer and everything you need to know to sign up can be found in the flyer that is included in this newsletter. While you re thinking of it, why not pull it out and reserve a spot for one of the most exciting places to be this April? We expect that some of the lodging choices (particularly the Commons) may sell out, so it s best to register early and secure your first choice. On the flyer is a checkbox where you can sign up to volunteer at the weekend. I hope you ll consider it. Volunteers help keep our costs down and give you a warm feeling in the bottom of your heart and our eternal gratitude. Try it and see! Speaking of volunteers, we would love to find someone who would be willing to coordinate our programs for children. If you re interested, please contact me at festival@folkproject.org. Hope to see you all in April, Lori Falco, Festival Chair, 10 7
FP Calendar: February 2009 Jan. 31/Sat. Tern Swings! 23rd Annual Benefit Concert for Humanitarian Aid for Central America: Jean Rohe, Tyler, Schmidt and Spirig, Matt Kanelos and the Smooth Maria, Martin Dockery, The Moth. 7:30, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. (973) 945-5174 or email mbkunz@gmail.com 1/Sun. EVERY Sun.: Music You Can t Hear On The Radio, 7pm, WPRB 103.3FM; www.wprb.com The Place House Concert: The Folk Brothers (David Massengill/Jack Hardy), 3pm potluck, 4pm concert. RSVP (973) 992-7491 or jamask8@comcast.net. 2/Mon. EVERY Monday: Maplewood International Dancers, 7:30pm. New location: Recreation House, 124 Dunnellen Road. (973) 376-7568 3/Tues. FP Board Meeting: 8pm, Pam & Bob s, 20 Fairmount Rd., New Providence. (908) 591-6491 EVERY 1st & 3rd Tuesday: Stony Brook Friends of Old Time Music Jam, 7:30pm, Mannion s Somerville. www.diamondcut.com/oldtime/ EVERY Tuesday: Northwest NJ Acoustic Jam, 7pm, Westside United Methodist Church, Hopatcong. (973) 770-0179 4/Wed. EVERY Wednesday, Straight Morning Drive, featuring Straight Drive 15 minutes after the 7:30am station break. 6 9am, WDVR-FM and www.wdvrfm.org EVERY Wed.: Morristown Int l Dancers, 7:30pm, Mountain Lakes. (973) 539-7020 EVERY Wednesday: Princeton Country Dancers, 8pm, Suzanne Patterson center, Princeton. (609) 799-2073, http://www.princetoncountrydancers.org/ EVERY Wednesday: Down Jersey with Jim Albertson, 7:30pm, WSNJ am1240, am1440 and www.wsnjam.com; http://members.aol.com/downjerseyjim/ 5/Thurs. Alternate Thursdays: Scandinavian couple dancing, 7:30 pm, Bound Brook. See skandinoje.org for dates/info. 6/Fri. Minstrel: The Jeremy Kittel Band, Jacob Johnson 7/Sat. Swingin Tern: Marty Fager/Off n Ensemble Sanctuary Concerts: Leon Redbone, 8pm, Chatham. www.sanctuaryconcerts.org EVERY Saturday: The Guitards (Tom Picard and Gary O'Neill), 3p, A Taste of Portugal, 44 E. Cherry St., Rahway. Watchung Arts Center: Tracy Grammer, 8pm, Watchung. (908) 412-9105 Crossroads Coffeehouse: Project Mercury, 8pm, Flanders. (973) 786-7940 Hurdy Gurdy: Ellis & Antject Duvekot, 8pm, Paramus. (201) 836-5500 CD*NY: David Millstone/Sleight of Hand, 8pm. NYC. www.cdny.org 8 /Sun. Sacred Harp Singing, 2pm, Brooklyn. (718) 793-2848 Uptown Coffeehouse: Bill Staines, 5pm, The Bronx. www.uptowncoffeehouse.com North Jersey English Country Dancers, caller Beverly Francis, 2pm, Ridgewood. (201) 652-4014 MoFiddles at Menzel Violins: Republic of Strings featuring Darol Anger, Scott Nygaard, Brittany Haas & Mike Blockpm, 4pm Livingston. (973) 994-1083 12/Thurs.NJ Songwriters Circle monthly meeting, 7pm, Dave Kleiner s. (973) 429-0288 13/Fri. Minstrel: Valentine s Day Extravaganza Princeton FMS: Anne Hills, 8pm, Princeton. (609) 799-0944 14/Sat.. Evening o Music: 8pm, Music at the Mission: The McDades. 8pm, West Milford. (800) 613-1455 Coffee with Conscience: Carrie Newcomer, 8pm, Westfield. (908) 412-9105 Second Saturday Music Cafe (formerly Mine Street): Chuck Brodsky, Arlon Bennett, New Brunswick; 732-672-0272; www.secondsaturdaymusiccafe.com/ $10 off with mention of FP Second Saturday Coffee House: open mic, 8pm, Summit. (908) 412-9105 15/Sun.. Newsletter deadline. Send stuff to newsletter@folkproject.org Sacred Harp Singing, 2pm, St. Bart s Church, NYC, (212) 750-8977 Borderline Folk Music Club: Pat Wictor, 2pm, New City, NY. (845) 354-4586 20/Fri. Minstrel: Illegal Contraband with an Introduction to Contra Dancing Brennen Coffeehouse: Ron Renniger, Chrissy Roberts, 7:30pm, Jersey City. www.brennancoffeehouse.com 21/Sat. Swingin Tern: Paul Somlo/Illegal Contraband Sanctuary Concerts: Jonathan Edwards, Carsie Blanton, 8pm, Chatham. www.sanctuaryconcerts.org Café Z: Laible Blutman, 7pm, Rahway. (732) 388-3865 CD*NY: Don Flaherty/Off n Ensemble, 8pm, 7;15 Hambo workshop. NYC. www.cdny.org Hillside Café: Pat Wictor, Sirs, 8pm, Nutley. (973) 616-0106 22/Sun. Sacred Harp Sing, 2pm, Montclair Friends Meeting. (973) 779-8290 North Jersey English Country Dancers, caller Judi Rivkin, 2pm, Ridgewood. (201) 652-4014 27/Fri. Minstrel: David Mallet, Toby Walker Roxbury Arts Alliance: Beatlemania Again, Roxbury High School. (201) 745-7718 orpresident@roxburyartsalliance.org. 28/Sat. Story Singers (Toby Fagenson and Jane Babits), 8 pm, NYC. Info/reservations: tomora0303@earthlink.net or (212)-366-0303 CD*NY: Yonina Gordon/Brooklyn Swing Ensemble, 8pm, 7;15 Hambo workshop. NYC. www.cdny.org Sign Up for Your E-Newsletter Our monthly newsletter is now available in electronic version. Advantages of receiving the E-Newsletter are: you will receive it much earlier each month; you will be less likely to misplace it; this will save trees, energy and reduce greenhouse gases; you will save the Folk Project almost one dollar per month. Sign up at enews.folkproject.org 8 9