Newsletter submissions: Liz Pagan Email: newsletter@folkproject.org 32 Williamson Ave., Bloomfield NJ 07003; deadline is the 15th Membership, corrections/changes: Rick Thomas Email: membership@folkproject.org 12 Upper Warren Way, Warren, NJ 07059 (908) 647-7517 Folk Project Officers: President: Scooter Ferguson Vice President: Elizabeth Lachowicz Secretary: Chris Riemer Treasurer: Eddie Roffman Trustees: Trustees thru 2010: Evelyn Maurer, Jim King, Alan Kugel Trustees thru 2011: Lois DeRitter, Jim Gartner, Brad Pryor Trustees thru 2012: Scooter Ferguson, Ruth Wolfish, Alison Mazie Box 41 Mendham, NJ 07945 www.folkproject.org NEWSLETTER January 2010 It s a Hot Winter at the Folk Project! A major event: Bass as a Solo Instrument with Michael Manring Special Concert Thurs., Feb. 4 at 8pm You have never heard bass guitar performed like this: as a solo melody instrument, performed by the world s leading solo bassist, Michael Manring. Five albums, a DVD performance, a PBS documentary to his credit. Check the flyer on page 7. Get tickets at the Minstrel or at the door that night. Be astounded! Dance til you drop on the Fifth Saturday of January... Hot music, hot dancing warm up the winter at Tern Swings! We did it last year, to an overflow audience. We re doing it again at our new dance location a dance featuring a 17-piece big band (including Jay Wilensky, Hen3ry Nerenberg, and Jeff Rantzer), a big dance floor and comfortable seating for listeners. The music is swing. Check the flyer on page 6, and mark your calendar for Sat., Jan 31 at 8pm. Fri., March 5: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Jay and Molly s music has won a Grammy and been nominated for an Emmy. Many of us have been at their Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camps. Their music spans two continents and two centuries. And they will be appearing at MUF, on our stage! This Special Event at The Minstrel is co-sponsored by The Special Concerts and Minstrel Committees.There will be a special ticket price of $15 and no creel. Tickets are available at The Minstrel. Get them early; we expect a standing-room-only-wait-in-the-hall crowd. Remember the Patrick Ball concert? This will be as big, so plan ahead! Also, stay tuned for a Beppe Gambetta workshop and concert on Sun., March 7. Sign up for the FP Valentine s Day Extravaganza... see page 11 January Evening o Music Sat., 1/9, 8pm The Heilbruns Jeff and Maureen are delighted to host this month s music party. Bring food and drink to share, plus your voices, instruments and songs to 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. 99 Morris Ave. is the third driveway on the right.
January 2010 The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series presented by Fri., Jan. 1: Closed New Year s Day Fri., Jan. 8: Open Stage We open our 2010 schedule with our monthly open stage. This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians and singers to perform a 15 minute set. Under the direction of our host, Scooter, our open stages have gained a reputation as a welcoming and respectful venue that has attracted traveling professionals as well as the area s local musicians. For info visit http://www.folkproject.org/fp_minstopen.html. Fri., Jan. 15: The Frank Vignola Trio and Jean Rohe Frank Vignola is counted among the world s greatest jazz guitarists. His playing is brilliant, innovative, tasty, and unbelievable in its virtuosity. The rest of the trio, guitarist Vinny Raniolo and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, gather no dust either, and are in perfect synch as an ensemble. Frank draws his influence from the likes of Django Reinhardt and Bucky Pizzarelli, to such non-jazz icons as Frank Zappa, Les Paul, and Eddie Van Halen. He s played with the likes of David Grisman, Donald Fagan, Madonna, and Ringo Starr. And tonight he comes to the Minstrel. Don t miss him. Our opener Jean Rohe was picked specifically to complement Vignola. Jean is familiar to many Minstrel regulars, having played for us since a child as part of the Rohe Family Band, and then on her own in opening and feature sets. She has put flexible voice, comparable to that of Nora Jones, to everything from folk standards to blues to Brazilian samba, but she has a great feel for the American Songbook repertoire that Frank knows so well. Look for a number of collaborative pieces between the two acts. Fri., Jan. 22. Aztec Two-Step and Craig Bickhardt The venerable duo Aztec Two-Step are true icons of the post '60's folk-rock genre. Rex Fowler and Neal Schulman's music is filled with poetic image-laden lyrics, close harmony singing, and sparkling guitar work. They've not stopped writing, and their new work is as exciting as their classic "Persecution & Restoration of Dean Moriarty" that graced the FM airways in 1972. They also pay homage to their predecessor harmony duo, Simon & Garfunkel with some great renditions of their music. We booked Craig Bickhardt to open for Aztec specifically to lure some of the expected big crowd to see him at his upcoming headline show at the Minstrel on March 26. As a Nashville songwriter, Craig has written over 800 songs for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Tony Rice. He is also a strong performer of these songs, with powerful guitar work and emotional delivery. Fri., Jan. 29: Dugan s Hooligans and Robin Greenstein Dugan's Hooligans (rescheduled from Oct. 09) is the family band of 17-year-old fiddler Connor, 16-year -old harper, whistle player, singer, and stepdancer Sharlys, and a couple of assorted parents on keyboard and percussion. The kids are the real stars, and they play mostly Irish music with a proficiency that belies their ages. And they are at that age when they are soaking up new material like a sponge, and processing it as only the prodigal virtuoso can. According to one veteran player, playing with Connor is like trying to drink from a fire hose. You need make no compensation for their youth to marvel at their music. Watch for these kids in the future and remember that you saw them when. Opener Robin Greenstein is a Kerrville finalist songwriter with a strong traditional music background. She is also an excellent guitarist and banjo player. UPCOMING: 2/5: Legendary Scottish songster ARCHIE FISHER; 2/12: FOLK PROJECT VALENTINES SHOW; 2/19: Funny man JOHN FORSTER; 2/26: Vocal wizard & songwriter MARTIN SWINGER; 3/5: Fiddle legend JAY UNGAR & MOLLY MASON; 3/12: OPEN STAGE; 3/19: RED MOLLY harmony trio; 3/26: Brilliant songwriter CRAIG BICKHARDT 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 8pm; 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. Children under 12 are free. For travel information, or information on shows call 973 335 9489 or visit our website at www.folkproject.org. To volunteer call Sandie at (908) 501-3842 volunteers@folkproject.org Sat., 1/2: Swingin Tern s 26th Anniversary with a Cavalcade of Folk Project Callers and Brooklyn Swing Ensemble Sam Zygmuntowicz-fiddle, mandolin; Danny Elias-clarinet, dumbek; Marnen Laibow-Koser-piano; Marco Brehm-bass Brooklyn Swing sets the pace with a New York Marathon dance running 26 miles for Swingin Tern s 26 years of break away dancing. The Kings and Queens of contra calling will take Manhattan as the dancers give a Bronx cheer as they achieve their personal best. If you guys are tempted to take your partner and sneaker off the floor to Converse, the callers will grab the Nike and get back to Asics with a New Balance and swing you ll feel like Keds again. Before you hit the wall and suffer the agony of de feet, carboload at the break. Sat., 1/16: Beverly Francis and Long Island Sound Tom Phillips-fiddle; Vicky Gould-accordion; Ellen Cohn-piano...Contras Beverly cleverly calls contras to Long Island Sound with some Hampton heys and Montauk madness. The Suffolk dancers Nassau the light and Long Island duck and dive down the Sunrise Highway as the fiddler Roslyn up the bow. Trust us, we wouldn t LIE. Sat., 1/30: Tern Swings with Reeds, Rhythm and All That Brass Tom Phillips-fiddle; Vicky Gould-accordion; Ellen Cohn-piano...Contras See page 6 for more information. Non-dancing children must be supervised at all times. Contra and Square Dancing to Live Music. All dances taught. No partner necessary. Beginner s workshop, 7:30pm; dance at 8pm. $10, $5 with student I.D. Soft soles only. First Presbyterian Church of East Hanover Parish House 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover, NJ 07936 From I-287 northbound or southbound: Exit 39, travel East on Route 10 for approx. 3.5 miles. Exit by the Ford dealership ( To River Road/Okner Pkway ) onto Mount Pleasant Ave. Tight at the second light onto Hanover Rd. then immediate left into the parking lot of the Parish House. From I-78: Exit 48 (Route 24 West) to Exit 2B, Route 510 East/Florham Park. Go 1.9 miles and turn left onto Hanover Rd. Turn right into the parking lot of the Parish House just before the road ends at Mount Pleasant Ave. Additional directions are on our website. (973) 762-4947 or (973) 635-1048 TERN ON THE NET! find us at dance.folkproject.org Presented by the Folk Project 15
Steve Holland & Root Mean Square 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; Contras 1/2, 9, 16, 23; English Country 1/5, 12, 19, 26 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: 2nd & 4th Sundays, 2 5 pm, Unitarian Society, 113 Cottage Pl., Ridgewood. $8 members, $10 non. (201) 445-4497 or (201) 447-1136. www.maxellute.net/njecd.html; 1/10: Loretta Holz; 1/24: Melanie Axel-Lute 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., 1/2: 26th Annivesrary Dance with a Cavalcade of Folk Project Callers and Brooklyn Swing Ensemble; Sat., 1/16: Beverly Francis and Long Island Sound: Sat., 1/30: Tern Swings (See page 6) 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 More on dancing at the Country Dance and Song Society www.cdss.org 14 Members Gigs & Friends Roger Deitz, Andy Goessling and Brian McCardle: Sun., 1/31, 3pm: Morristown Community Theatre,Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South St., Morristown. (973) 539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org Christine DeLeon: Sun., 1/31: 3pm, Jefferson Township Public Library, 1031 Weldon Rd., Oak Ridge. (973) 208-6115 Ken Galipeau: Thurs., Dec. 31: 11:00am Winter and Seasonal Stories and Songs to Warm Your Heart, Wayne Public Library. (973) 694-4272; Thurs., Dec. 31: w/ Carol Titus, 7:15pm, 8:15pm: Chilling Tales for a Chilly Evening, Morristown First Night. http://firstnightmorris.com. Dave Sherman and the Funraisers (Pat Hickey and Andy Koenig): Wed., 1/6: 7 8pm, The Cambridge Inn, Spotswood. A set of Grateful Dead music in an experimental manner. Odarka Stockert (Slight Imperfection w/ Red); Thurs., 1/12: 8pm, Rock'n Joe, 63 Main St., Millburn, NJ, www.rocknjoe.net or (973)376-6111 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jennie Avila s new CD was inspired by true Civil War stories from the Antietam Battlefield region. Send check for $11.50/CD plus $1.50 shipping to: Jennie Avila, 15 Sycamore St, Hagerstown, MD 21740 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Start the New Year Right! Come to Cecilia and Allan's for a Day-after-New-Years-EVE party 3pm until whenever! On Friday, Jan. 1, let's celebrate the obliteration of all New Year's resolutions with a music party, Evening o Music style: Bring a dish, your instruments (musical, that is), your voices, and let's celebrate. 511 S. 1st Ave., Highland Park (parking on the street; three-cat house). Call (732) 809-2638 for more info....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; Acoustic Café: Our Lady of Mercy Church, 2 Fremont Ave, Park Ridge, NJ, 8pm, (201) 573-0718, www.cafeacoustic.org; Sat., 1/23: Loretta Hagan, Dave McKeon 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 Borderline Folk Music House Club: New City Ambulance Corps Bldg, 200 Congers Rd., New City, NY. 2pm, Info: (845) 354-4586, www.borderlinefolkmusic.4themax.com; Sun., 1/10: Arlon Bennett 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., 1/15: Red Molly 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., 1/16: Robert Hll City Grind: Open Mic Night, every other Friday at 8 pm, 11 North Avenue East, Cranford. www.citygrindonline.com or JosephStriderCGCH@hotmail.com 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., 1/16: Pat Wictor, Toby 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; Delaware River Folksong Fellowship: Song circle the 2nd Sunday at the Friends Meeting House in Mount Holly, NJ, www.myspace.com/delawareriverfolksongfellowship Dublin House: Irish Session, 1st & 3rd Sundays, 6-9pm, Dublin House, Monmouth St., Red Bank Dull Music: 7pm, Rutherford Congregational Church, Union and Rutherford Avenues, Rutherford. www.dullmusic.com; Folk Friday in Maplewood: Informal 2nd Fri. sing-along with Lucky, Dusty, Rusty & Tio Pete. 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; 1/15: Rufus Cappadocia, Cynthia Hilts & Lyric Fury; 1/29: Night of Magic 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; Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club: Fair Lawn Community Center, 10-10 20th St., Fair Lawn 8pm. (201) 384-1325. www.hurdygurdyfolk.org; Sat., 1/9: Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion 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 items to Eddie Roffman, eroffman@optonline.net. Robin Schaffer keeps on drumming. Her performances with Music Town have been well received. She recently expanded her drumming repertoire into Jazz and bluegrass. New FP prez Scooter Ferguson, took over driving responsibility for Margaret Crowl s red Honda with only 280,000 miles on it. Scooter looks great driving a car painted in only one color. He is aiming at 500,000 miles. Mark Schaffer s parents love and miss the Folk Project now that they have settled into their new life in PA. In spite of the miles, they all had a great Thanksgiving together. Thomas Lachowicz is going before a review board at the Missouri Military Academy. We expect him to be wearing a new stripe on his uniform in upcoming holiday pictures. Jim King has been taking audiences on trips to Bedford Falls, in December Hunterdon County stage performances of It s a Wonderful Life. Rick Thomas continues to enjoy his new responsibilities as a research programmer. He is working on interesting and important projects, and continues learning too. Last year, Andy Koenig envisioned that the high tech Moog guitar and the Chapman Stick instrument should share technology. He recommended this to the two product managers and they are now working on a collaborative effort. Margaret Crowl has a new job as pastor of the Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Hanover. She will be moving into a new home in Hanover shortly; she says that it will be good for FP parties. Margaret s old sailboat is now in the hands of FP member Matt Reilly, who recently got his learner s permit. Matt s mom, Sandie, warns us all to be careful on the roads! As we type, contractors are installing solar panels on Liz Pagan and Dave Kleiner s roof. - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - Ye of Sound Minds & Bodies... Folk Project Sound Workshop: Sun., Jan. 24, 2pm The Folk Project will be having a Sound Workshop on Sun., Jan. 24 from 2 5pn here at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. Anyone interested in learning how to set-up and run The Minstrel s soundboard, or to refresh you skills are welcome to attend. The workshop will be led by professional sound engineer Alison Goessling. Please register at to attend: at the Minstrel s front desk, by emailing Pam at concerts@folkproject.org or calling 908-591-6491 attendance is free to Folk Project or MUF members. - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - Winter Weekend 2010 Fri. Sun., Feb. 19 21 A weekend-long Evening o Music, held at a private home a converted barn near Pine Bush, New York. Mostly jamming, jabbering, eating and drinking. Sleeping space on-site is limited; day-trippers and stayers-at-nearby-hotels-and-b&bs are welcome. Contact Liz at (973) 429-0288 or lizpagan@verizon.net to learn more an/or reserve your floorspace now. 13
Folk Project Annual Membership & Board Meeting Dec. 1, 2009: Board Meeting: The Summary Call to order: The meeting was called to order at the Chimney Rock Inn at 8:04pm by President Mark Schaffer. Presidential Address: Mark welcomed the assembled multitudes. He reminded us that we run almost 100 events a year and have more-orless covered our expenses each year for over 30 years a pretty impressive management record for an all-volunteer organization! The backbone of the Folk Project is our Committee Chairs. Thanks to all of you! And Thanks! to everyone for tolerating him as our President for two years. Acceptance of the minutes: the minutes of November were accepted by acclamation. Treasurer s Report: Eddie reported that we are about $8,000 ahead for the year. In this recessed economy, that s fantastic! Keep on doin what you do! The money is just the smallest trace of the effort it represents. Thanks to everyone. Andy felt that, after a year of experience with the job, there was not enough work for the Finance Committee to justify its continued existence as a separate Committee. He requested that the duties of the Finance Com. be folded into the Treasurer s Office. There was general agreement, and applause for Andy for a job well done! This recommendation is reflected in the Nom. Committee s report. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Web&Publicity: Mark is learning to do some of the technical stuff. He s got expert help from Cathy Thomas, Barb Moo, and others. The target date for cutover to the new web site is still Dec. 31, 2009, but it s running late. George Otto was presented with the Folkie award of a bottle of single-malt in commemoration of his retirement from the Board after 15 years volunteering as our Publicity and Web-site Chair. Pam handed out some of the newly reprinted Folk Project business cards that list our various activities and the Website. Newsletter: Carl reports that he was able to negotiate a deal with the printer that will result in a significant savings in the monthly cost of printing the Newsletter. Minstrel: Mike reports that our attendance is holding steady and we are still managing to show a small profit, even though we have seen a rise in our rent this year. No admission price increase is planned for the foreseeable future. Relations with the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship remain excellent. Good evidence of that was that MUF agreed to change the date of their tag sale, which would have preempted one of our shows, to coincide with our Festival when we are already closed. Volunteers: Sandie says that Amy s help this year has been invaluable! She still needs volunteers. They have a new plan to make it easier to volunteer and easier for the Head Staff people to run the shows. Finance: Andy handed out copies of the year-end report from the Vanguard account. He reminds us that markets are volatile and may change. Mark thanked him for doing a job that few others could have done as well. Pam noted that the ACMA grant requires one or more person from the Folk Project to attend an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) sensitivity training session. She and Alison will attend. Special Concerts: Pam reported that, since it was re-formed under her leadership in 2007, the Special Concerts committee has managed to continue to break even financially. Upcoming in 2010: Tern Swings! on Jan. 30; Michael Manring on Feb. 4. The committee is working on setting up a new workshop series for the spring and has plans for some other great events as well. Membership: Pat gave a brief Membership update. The number of current member households and individual members is similar to the figures reported at the Annual Meetings of the last two years, although new members continue to lag behind expirations. It should be noted that a number of non-renewals are temporary and folks rejoin at a future date. The Minstrel and Festival play an increasingly important role in attracting new members. Supporting memberships have increased somewhat, an encouraging sign in these difficult times. Nearly 35% of member households now receive their newsletters electronically. She pointed out that it s not just numbers it s participation and how active our members are. We have some people who do a lot and a lot of people who do some. Merchandise: Margaret reported that this year we got new T-shirts, which made their debut at the Spring Festival. We still have a good number in stock although we are out of some sizes. We also got new mugs, also a hot seller. We also still have Folk Project bumper stickers. We are sold out of "Rise Up Singing" so she will order another case. Internal Affairs: Mark reports for the absent Jean that we had fun this year; we'll have fun next year. We need a January evening of music. Valentine's Day made lots of money. Festival: Lori reports that we held two festivals in 2009. Both were well attended, with attendance over 190 in both cases. Financially, the spring festival turned a profit and the fall festival broke even. The festival is now well established at the Star Lake camp, where we moved in 2008, and appears to be financially secure. Our main goal for 2010 is to attract more dancers to the festival. We hope to accomplish this by creating a special dance ticket that will allow dancers to come to the festival on Saturday to participate in an afternoon dance, dinner, the concert and an evening dance. We are currently working with the Swingin Tern committee to iron out the specifics. In 2009 we made great strides in adding programming for children and families and we will continue to enhance this program in 2010. Community Affairs: Elizabeth reports that we will not have a table at the next NJ Folk Festival at Rutgers. It s just not worth the effort it takes for the minimal amount of interest it generates. Swingin Tern: Connie reports by email that the Harvest Hoot was a great dance many thanks to Mark and the FP musicians. We had an enthusiastic contingent of dancers through to the end of the dance at midnight. The Nov. 7 dance had low attendance due to competition from the World Series. (Who knew dancers like baseball?)?upcoming events are the New Years Eve dance, the January 2 Anniversary dance and Tern Swings on Jan. 30. The NYE dance has a wonderful caller from New Hampshire, Nils Fredland. The church agreed that the NYE decorations can go up on Dec. 30 and stay up for the Anniversary dance. Sound: Bob reports that this year all of the FP microphone stands were refurbished. We also acquired a Speaker Processor for use at Festival. It has made for a noticeable improvement in the sound quality in the concert hall. Fellowships: Scooter reports that Jim Gartner will take the place of Jim West who will be retiring from the Board, and hence from the Committee. HSNOI: Ralph reports that Comcast Cablevision of NWNJ will no longer carry the show unless we can find a non-profit in the cablecast region to "sponsor" it. Apparently, Comcast bought the company some time ago and they are now enforcing their policy of charging out-ofregion non-profits (as well as individuals & businesses) for airtime. This is the same policy that cut in half the number of towns getting the cablecast through Comcast (Somerville, NJ). On the upside, Al Podber (Furry Bros.) has enthusiastically agreed to submit HSNOI for public access cablecast on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT), possibly starting in early 2010. Storytelling: Rivka would like to step down as Storytelling Committee Chair; she is looking for someone to take over. Carol Titus is helping her in the search. Ed reported that Grounds For Sculpture is happy with their relationship with the Storytelling Festival and has sent us a $2000 check. This will be distributed to the tellers/performers who made it happen. Nominations Committee: The Nominations Committee s slate of Trustees and Officers for 2010 was elected by acclimation of the assembled members. Mark then passed the gavel to Scooter for the Adjournment: which was at 9:40 PM. The January meeting will on Jan. 5 at Ruth s house in Bedminster. 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; Mountainside Library Folk Music Cafe: www.mountainsidelibrary.org or (908) 233-0115 Music at the Mission: West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, (973) 728-3081, www.musicatthemission.org; Sat., 1/16: Tony Trischka Music on Main Street: United Methodist Church, 69 Main St., Woodbridge. All shows $20. 7:30pm. www.woodbridgeartsnj.com Outpost In The Burbs: at the Unitarian Church of Montclair, 67 Church St., Montclair (973) 744-6560. Doors open 7:30pm, concert at 8pm. www.outpostintheburbs.org; Fri., 1/8: Lucy Kaplansky, Tripping Lily; Fri., 1/15: J.D. Souther; Fri., 1/22: Gin Blossoms People s Voice Cafe: For info/locations, www.peoplesvoicecafe.org or (212) 787-3903; Pinewoods Folk Music Club: 444 W. 54th St., #7, New York, NY 10019, (718) 651-1115, www.folkmusicny.org; Fri., 1/22: Simple Gifts 7:30pm, Second Presbyterian Church, 6 West 96th Street, NYC.www.brownpapertickets.com/event/92742; Info www.folkmusicny.org; or 718-672-6399 The Place: House Concerts, 3pm potluck, 4pm concert. RSVP to jamask8@comcast.net or (973) 992-7491 for info; Sun., 1/10: Jude Roberts 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., 1/15: Emma s Revolution 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.: check www.manhattansing.org for venue (except July & August): 2pm, Montclair Friends Mtg, Park & Gordonhurst. (973) 509-2165; 1st Sat. (except July/August): 3pm, Living Room, 154 Ludlow St., NYC Salem Roadhouse Café: Townley Presbyterian Cruch, 829 Salem Rd., Union. (908) 686-1028, www.townleychurch.org; Sanctuary Concerts: The Presbyterian Church, 240 Southern Boulevard, Chatham. Most concerts 8pm, www.sanctuaryconcerts.org; 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; Skylands Native American Flute Circle meets at a home in Panther Valley. Info: Allan Johnson 908-850-5772 or ajflycasting@optonline.net 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 The Uptown Coffeehouse: Soc. for Ethical Culture, 4450 Fieldston Rd., Bronx, NY, 5pm, $15/$3 kids <12. www.uptowncoffeehouse.org, (718) 885-2498; Sun., 1/10: Mark Erelli Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse: United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Ave., White Plains, (914) 949-2146, www.walkaboutclearwater.org; Sat., 1/9: Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Watchung Arts Center: 18 Sterling Road (on the Watchung Circle) Watchung, NJ, 8pm, (908) 412-9105; Fri., 1/22: Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz New Open Mike at Arts off Main: every third Thursday, The Lab, 128 Willow Grove St., Hackettstown. Info: thelab_openmic@yahoo.com; www.artsoffmain.com; 908.684.4728. Thurs., 1/21 Lotsa Jams listed at http://home.comcast.net/~epollak/jam.htm 5
Join the Folk Project Cut out this handy dandy membership form and mail it, with your membership fee, to Rick Thomas, 12 Upper Warren Way, Warren, NJ 07059. Info? (908) 647-7517 or membership@folkproject.org or 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: Valentine s Day Extravaganza Sign-up Fri., 2/12: Turn On Your Love Light! The Valentine s Day Extravaganza is a great opportunity for members to perform for a large and loving audience. The show is Fri., Feb.12 at the Minstrel. Call Minister of Love Mark Schaffer at (973) 989-4429 to sign up for a slot to sing solo or accompanied first come, first served. This year, the renowned Minstrels of Love Choir returns under the direction of maestro John Lamb don t wait til the last minute to sign up; e-mail johnlamb@aol.com or call John at (973) 895-5071. 6 11
New Venue in PA: Listen Live Music Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley is celebrating the creation of its newest music venue, Listen Live Music, Inc. (www.listenlivemusic.org). Listen Live Music is a 501(c)(3), completely volunteer-run organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of live local music, as well as providing a smoke and alcohol-free space in which to enjoy national artists. Listen Live Music has been modeled after West Milford's Music at the Mission, for which co-founder Val Minett volunteered for several years. Every second Saturday, LLM will host a community open-mic, with national shows to be scheduled for the fourth Saturday of the month starting in 2010. All events will be held just south of Allentown in the newly renovated Upper Milford Municipal Building at 5671 Chestnut St in Zionsville, PA - about 30 minutes from the New Jersey border off Route 78. Please check out LLM's website for details and more information. presents Music is my earliest memory. All but one of my grandparents were musicians, all but one of my siblings are too. Nearly everyone discouraged me from pursuing solo bass, but I never let go of the passion I felt for it. Rarely am I ever bored. I feel lucky to have realized so many of my dreams. Nowadays I never seem to have enough time to practice. Growing and learning are my continual goals. Ahoy Folkies! Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, and Jack Williams will be cruising again next summer! Their last big venture was a journey to Alaska back in 2004. They'll be sailing on the Holland America ship Maasdam, leaving Boston on July 3 and arriving in Montreal on July 10. Stops along the way are St. John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Quebec City. The three will give two concerts on board ship, solely for the tour group. We'll also have a couple of receptions, and plenty of time for some relaxed song sessions, maybe even a workshop if there's interest. In order to attend the concerts and other events, you must register for the cruise through Traveling Troubadour, rather than directly with Holland America. Visit or call (800) 584-6724 or (540) 887-8491. Opening Doors/Welcoming Change People s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle Winter Gathering: New York City Jan. 23 31 A concert honoring the Peoples s Voice Café featires Emma s Revolution (Pat Humphries & Sandy O) and the Lavender Light Gospel Choir. Other performers include Bev Grant, Anne Price & Steve Suffet, more. Fri., 1/29, 7:30pm at the Ethical Culture center, NYC. www.peoplesmusic.org/winter_2010/concert_tickets.htm, pmntickets@ hobostarmusic.com or (718) 788-4214. Other weekend events include workshops, song swaps, jams, teaching sessions, family concerts, food at the Renaissance Charter School, 3559 81st St., Jackson Heights, Queens. Visit pmnnyc.home.att.net or contact ssuffet@nyc.rr.com or (718) 786-1533 NY Pinewoods Winter Folk Music Weekend Feb. 5 7 Warwick Conference Center, Warwick, NY An informal weekend getaway with lots of music making, jamming, singing, pls outdoors activities surrounded by beautiful scenery. The Center has a central gathering room with a fireplace and several smaller areas suitable for informal music making we hear tell there s even more music going on than at a Folk Project Festival. Visit www.folkmusicny.org/weekends or call (718) 672-6399 MICHAEL MANRING BASSPLAYER A master of the fretless bass without rival Guitar Club Magazine Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 8:00pm Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, NJ Manring is creating musical history L.A. Jazz Scene Michael Manring is a bass player and composer known for his innovative approach to the instrument and his adventurous solo concerts. A former house bassist for Windham Hill Records, he has played on more than 200 recordings, and put out five solo albums: Unusual Weather, Toward the Center of Night, Drastic Measures, Thonk, and the newly released Soliloquy. His two newest projects are soon to be released a duet CD with French guitar player Cyril Achard, and a DVD of a live session at Le Triton Club in Paris, France. He has garnered two gold records, Grammy and Bammie nominations, a Berklee School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, two Just Plain Folks Awards, and numerous Bass Player Magazine s Reader s Poll awards, including 1994 Bassist of the Year. Manring was also the subject of a PBS TV documentary, The Artist s Profile: Michael Manring. Michael Manring is one bad mother****** Jaco Pastorius 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. 10 7
FP Calendar: January 2010 Dec. 31/Thurs. Swingin Tern New Year s Dance: Nils Fredland & Rumblestrip Ken Galipeau, 11am Winter and Seasonal Stories and Songs, Wayne Public Library. (973) 694-4272. Ken Galipeau, Carol Titus, 7:15pm & 8:15pm, First Night Morristown. http://firstnightmorris.com 1/Fri. Minstrel: Closed Cecilia and Allan's Day-after-New-Years-Eve party, 3pm, Highland Park, (732) 809-2638 2/Sat. Swingin Tern: 30th Anniversary Dance with a Cavalcade of Callers and Brooklyn Swing Ensemble 5/Tues. EVERY Tuesday: Northwest NJ Acoustic Jam, 7pm, Westside United Methodist Church, Hopatcong. (973) 770-0179 EVERY Saturday: CD*NY: Contra dances, 8pm. NYC. www.cdny.org 3/Sun. EVERY Sun.: Music You Can t Hear On The Radio, 7pm, WPRB 103.3FM; www.wprb.com EVERY Sun.: 6pm, Odarka Stockert, Celtic harp, Cafe Monet, Millburn, (973) 376-8555 EVERY first & third Sunday: Open Irish session, 6pm, Dublin House, Red Bank. 4/Mon. EVERY Monday: Maplewood International Dancers, 7:30pm. New location: Recreation House, 124 Dunnellen Road. (973) 376-7568 EVERY 1st & 3rd Tuesday: Stony Brook Friends of Old Time Music Jam, 7:30pm, Mannion s Somerville. www.diamondcut.com/oldtime/ EVERY Monday: Odarka Stockert plays Celtic harp, 6pm, Cafe Monet, Millburn. 5/Tues. FP Board meeting: 8pm, Ruth Wolfish s 6/Wed. Dave Sherman and the Funraisers (Pat Hickey and Andy Koenig), 7pm, The Cambridge Inn, Spotswood. A set of the music of the Grateful Dead. 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/ 7/Thurs. Alternate Thursdays: Scandinavian couple dancing, 7:30 pm, Bound Brook. See skandinoje.org for dates/info. 8/Fri. Minstrel: Open Stage Outpost in the Burbs: Lucy Kaplansky, Tripping Lily, 8pm, Montclair. www.outpostintheburbs.org 9/Sat. Evening o Music: The Heilbruns, 99 Morris Ave., Mountain Lakes. (973) 263-5349 Hurdy Gurdy: Sarah Lee Guthrie AND Johnny Irion, 8pm, Paramus. (201) 836-5500 10/Sun. Sacred Harp Singing, 2pm, Brooklyn. (718) 793-2848 The Place House Concerts: Jude Roberts, 3pm, Livingston. Rsvp jamask8@comcast.net or (973) 992-7491 Uptown Coffeehouse: Mark Erelli, 5pm, the Bronx. www.uptowncoffeehouse.org Borderline: Arlon Bennett, 8pm, New City, NY. Reservations: solz1@optonline.net or (845) 354-4586 North Jersey English Country Dancers, 2pm, Ridgewood. (201) 447-1136. www.maxellute.net/njecd.htmle 8 14/Thurs. NJ Songwriters Circle, 7pm, Dave Kleiner s. (973) 429-0288, daveythek@aol.com 15/Fri. Minstrel: The Frank Vignola Trio and Jean Rohe Princeton FMS: Emma s Revoluion, 8:15pm, Princeton. (609) 799-0944 Newsletter deadline. Send stuff to newsletter@folkproject.org Brennan Coffeehouse: Red Molly, 8pm, Jersey City. www.brennancoffeehouse.com Outpost in the Burbs: J.D. Souther, 8pm, Montclair. www.outpostintheburbs.org 16/Sat. Swingin Tern: Beverly Francis and Long Island Sound Coffee with Conscience: Pat Wictor, Toby, 8pm, Westfield. www.coffeewithconscience.com Music at the Mission: Tony Trischka, 8pm, West Milford. www.musicatthemission.org 17/Sun. Sacred Harp Singing, 1pm, Manhattan (check www.manhattansing.org or venue), NYC, (212) 750-8977 21/Thurs. Arts Off Main Open Mike, 8pm, The Lab, Hackettstown. (908) 684-4278 22/Fri. Minstrel: Aztec Two-Step and Craig Bickhardt Pinewoods Concert: Simple Gifts, 7:30pm, NYC. www.folkmusicny.org or (718) 672-6399 Acoustic Cafe: Loretta Hagan, Dave McKeon, 8pm, Park Ridge.www.goodacoustic.com/cafe.htm, (201) 573-0718 Refreshments. Outpost in the Burbs: Gin Blossoms, 8pm, Montclair. www.outpostintheburbs.org Watchung Arts Center: Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz, 8pm, Watchung. (908) 412-9105 24/Sun. Sacred Harp Sing, 2pm, Montclair Friends Meeting. (973) 779-8290 FP Sound Workshop, 2-5pm, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. Register at the Minstrel front desk or call Pam at (908) 591--6491 North Jersey English Country Dancers, 2pm, Ridgewood. (201) 447-1136. www.maxellute.net/njecd.htmle 29/Fri. Minstrel: Dugan s Hooligans and Robin Greenstein Concert honoring the Peoples Voice Café featuring Emma s Revolution, the Lavender Light Gospel Chor, 7:30pm, NY Society for Ethical Culture, Manhatta. (718) 788-4214 30/Sat. Swingin Tern: Tern Swings with Reeds, Rhythm and All That Brass Peoples Music Network Weekend Events, The Rehaissance Charter School, Jackson Heights, Queens. pmnnyc.home.att.net or (718) 786-1533 31/Sun. Christine DeLeon, 3pm, Jefferson Township Public Library, Oak Ridge. (973) 208-6115 Roger Deitz, Andy Goessling and Brian McCardle, 3pm, Morristown Community Theatre, Mayo Center for the Performing Arts. )973) 539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org Save a Tree Sign up for E-Newsletters 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 9