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Branford Folk Music Society
The Branford Folk Music Society sponsors the Branford Folk
Coffeehouse, a monthly concert of folk music, September through May,
at the First Congregational Church, on the green in Branford,
Connecticut.
The group also holds monthly "house hoots" at members'
homes, open to all for informal singing and playing, and produces a
monthly newsletter with schedules and information on concerts and
folk performers in Connecticut and the region. Branford Folk Music
Society members receive a copy of the newsletter in the mail, as
well as discounts in admission to our coffeehouse concerts.
Become a member of the Branford Folk Music Society.
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Branford Folk Coffeehouse
The Branford Folk Coffeehouse is in the auditorium of the First
Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main Street, Branford, CT. To get
there, take I-95 Cedar Street exit #54, go south on Cedar Street to the
end (crossing Route 1), turn left on Main Street. The Congregational
Church is the brick church on the green (on the right). Wheelchair
accessible. Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. Please note our new admission
prices: Unless otherwise specified, admission is $15 for nonmembers, $12
for members, and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, call
203-488-7715.
Email: branfordfolk@yahoo.com
Please contact us if you are interested in helping the coffeehouse as a
volunteer. In particular, refreshment donations will be welcomed.
If you are wondering if a concert will be held on an evening when the
weather is bad, please call 203-488-7715. (There is no one at the church
who can give out concert information.) Also, cancellations will be posted
on WTNH Channel 8.
September 12, 2009: CornBread
Locally baked, CornBread is a lively 5 piece acoustic country blues
band featuring 3 guitars, supplemented and traded off with mandolin,
Dobro, resophonic guitar, harmonica and standup bass. Their deep
repertoire is a mix of American roots standards, signature blues
treatments and brilliant renditions of contemporary string classics.
October 10, 2009: Orrin Star and the Sultans of String Trio
Orrin and the Sultans of String play a wide range from fiddle tunes to
topical ballads to western swing, along with storytelling both sharp and
droll. Last time we had them there was not an empty seat in the house and
nobody left disappointed.
November 14, 2009: Patrick Ball
Patrick Ball is one of the premier Celtic harp players in the world
and a captivating spoken word artist. Patrick has written and will be
performing a critically acclaimed solo musical theater piece, O'Carolan's
Farewell to Music, which brings to the stage the legendary life, the
turbulent times and the glorious music of Ireland's most celebrated and
beloved musician, Turlough O'Carolan. This is a unique experience that is
not to be missed.
December 12, 2009: Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys
Klezmer clarinetist Margot Leverett joins forces with today's stars of
klezmer and bluegrass to explore the shared musical spirit of two genres
literally worlds apart. The resulting medleys and improvisations are at
once raw, funny, soulful and footstomping.
January 9, 2010: Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger
Bruce Molsky with guitar, fiddle, or banjo in hand explores
traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures. Darol
Anger is a violinist, fiddler, composer, producer and educator, who is at
home in a number of musical genres.
February 13, 2010: Gerard Edery
The Gerard Edery Ensemble, these gifted musicians bring an ancient
repertoire to the contemporary stage, while fueling the evolution of
Sephardic music with new arrangements and original compositions.
March 13, 2010: John Whelan and Guest
"As an instrumentalist, composer, producer, and arranger who
brings both passion and playfulness to his music while respecting the
tradition it's rooted in, John Whelan has richly earned the Irish Echo's
highest honor for traditional music." - Earle Hitchner.
April 10, 2010: Sparky and Rhonda Rucker
Sparky Rucker is internationally recognized as a leading folklorist,
musician, historian, storyteller, and author. He accompanies himself with
fingerstyle picking and bottleneck blues guitar, banjo, and spoons.
Rhonda Rucker is an accomplished harmonica, piano, banjo, and bones
player, and also adds vocal harmonies to their songs.
May 8, 2010: Lorraine and Bennett Hammond
Lorraine and Bennett play in perfect complement. Lorraine Hammond is
perhaps the foremost Appalachian dulcimer player in New England, if not
the world. Lorraine also plays Celtic harp, banjo, mandolin and autoharp.
Bennett Hammond is a superb finger-style guitarist with a penchant for an
occasional Hank Williams song. He also plays banjo, mandolin and
cittern.
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This 35th Anniversary concert season of the Branford Folk Music
Society was dedicated to Sandy and Caroline Paton, founders and owners of
Folk Legacy Records to whom we owe so much thanks for their passion and
commitment to keeping traditional folk music alive. They always serve as
valuable resources for the Society as we put together our concert series.
It is with much sadness that we pass along the following to the folk
community.
Kaelan Paton, 16, son of David Paton and grandson of Sandy and
Caroline Paton, has disappeared in a tragic water accident just up river
from the town of Falls Village, CT. He disappeared Tuesday afternoon
while trying to rescue a friend from the rain-swollen Housatonic River.
Our hearts go out to the Paton family. If you wish to comment or send
condolences please do so by contacting branfordfolk@yahoo.com.
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Previous concerts at the Branford Folk Coffeehouse
Branford Folk Photo Gallery
New Board Members Sought
The Board of Directors is currently accepting nominations to fill
at large positions on the Board.
- Qualifications: enjoyment of traditional folk music and desire to
see it continue in Branford. Skills in particular areas such as
finances, grant writing, small business administration, etc. are
welcome but not required. Must become a member of BFMS if not
already a member.
- Responsibilities: attend about eight board meetings a year, attend
and help at most of the nine concerts of the season (September
through May).
- Benefits: free attendance when you help out at a concert, decision
making contribution to the programming and other issues of the
society, opportunity to get to know some wonderful people who are
musicians.
Click here for the application form.
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The Branford Folk Music Society is a member of
the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance,
and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.
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The Branford Folk Music Society primarily books
"traditional" and/or "traditions based" acoustic
music, rooted in the Anglo-Celtic and/or American folk genres, and other
traditional forms, such as Cajun, French Canadian, Klezmer, etc. We are
also open to booking "traditions based" performers who write
their own material provided their music demonstrates a knowledge and
respect for these long established traditions.
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The Branford Folk Music Society posts monthly concert listings on the
following web sites and blogs:
Guidezilla.com at http://guidezilla.com/
americantowns.com at http://www.branford.americantowns.com/
Nonprofit Bulletin at http://www.nhbulletin.blogspot.com/
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Branford Folk Music Society T shirts for sale now
Pick up one for yourself (and a friend too!) at any of our nine concerts from September thru May.
Or you can order by email: branfordfolk@yahoo.com
T shirt: Large centered color logo on ice gray background: $15
Polos and Henley styles with small color logo on left chest: $20 (by special order)
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Branford Folk CD Openers
Got CD's? Frustrated by that pesky shrink wrap that is so
difficult to remove?
Fret no more! Branford Folk Music Society has the perfect solution!
The Branford Folk 30th Anniversary CD opener!
Get one and you can be listening to the new CD's you buy at our
concerts as soon as you get in your car. Branford Folk CD openers
make the perfect Valentine's gift, housewarming present and will
come in handy during the summer folk festival season. Priced at
just $2.00 so you can get them for all your friends and place one
near every CD player in your home. Pick them up at the next
concert!
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Folk Music on the Radio
WNHU (88.7 FM, West Haven, CT):
"The Folk Show", John Mazza, Barbara Ruth and others, Sunday noon-2:00 P.M.
wnhufolk@yahoo.com
http://www.newhaven.edu/wnhu/
WSHU (91.1 FM, Fairfield, CT) and WSUF (89.9 FM, Noyack/Greenport, NY):
"Profiles in Folk", Steve Winters, Friday 10:00 P.M.-Midnight.
"Prairie Home Companion", Saturday 6:00-8:00 P.M.
"Thistle and Shamrock", Fiona Ritchie, Saturday 8:00-9:00 P.M.
"AcoustiConnections", Walt Graham, Saturday 9:00-10:00 P.M.
http://www.wshu.org/
Branford Folk Music Society
P.O. Box 441
Branford, CT 06405
http://folknotes.org/branfordfolk/