Woodstock Folk Festival, Woodstock IL

Connie Kaldor | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres January 6, 7pm/CST

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Joel Simpson

We’re kicking off the year in style! This NEW Year we will begin to feature some performers who are NEW to the Festival. Canadian singer-songwriter Connie Kaldor will kick off this NEW era for our January 6 Woodstock Wednesday.

Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community. We continue to support artists that have performed for us before. In addition, we look forward to adding variety and diversity in support of artists new to our audience. We approached Connie for previous festivals, however due to her being from Canada, the logistics and timing never worked. Now in the world of virtual concerts, we are happy to present this Juno Award-winning, internationally acclaimed artist.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, January 6.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

To receive emails each Monday from the Woodstock Folk Festival, subscribe in the column on the right side. To make a donation in any amount to the Woodstock Folk Festival, use the donation button in the column on the right side.

Featured Performers: Connie Kaldor

Inspired by her new holiday album, Woodstock Folk Festival was inspired to ask Connie to participate in Woodstock Wednesdays. Because Connie and family are all quarantined together in Montreal, her husband and sons will join her; they’re all performers in their own right. Her son Gabriel has a rock band and son Aleksi is trained in jazz and plays violin in addition to his singer-songwriter skills. In fact, Aleksi has a new album due out fall of 2021. The family splits their time between Montreal and Saskatchewan. You can purchase one of their latest releases on Bandcamp. If you are ever traveling through Saskatchewan Canada in July, consider attending their Willow Bunch Farm Fest Terre Ferme to experience prairie life first hand.

Connie has long been recognized on the international folk scene since the late 1970s as an outstanding artist, writer, song-writer and performer. Her songs “Bird on a Wing” and “Wood River” have become classics. She is a member of the Order of Canada, an honor which recognizes exceptional talent and service as well as contributions to Canada and humanity. The family performed in Hinsdale in January 2020, one of the last in-person concerts before the pandemic began.

CHECK OUT “BIG SKIES TO BRIDESMAID DRESSES”

With 12 albums and projects available from Connie, you are sure to find something that strikes a chord in you. You will find stories of prairie life, podcasts, books, children’s books, CDs, original lyrics, and recipes on her website as well as videos and recordings of her music.

Her multimedia presentation “Big Skies to Bridesmaid Dresses” incorporates all of Connie’s great songs about the prairies plus insights into prairie culture, dating rituals, midnight luncheon tables and jellied salads. It comes with a downloadable Big Skies cookbook, for audience members. All you’ve never wanted to know about the prairies!

Connie adapted so quickly to the virtual world folk artists now face by offering three different livestream shows for presenters to offer in their lineup. Aside from her virtual concerts, her numerous albums and books for children, Connie has also written for musicals, films and web-series. Be sure to check out her e-cookbook on her website with recipes from the prairie.

Enjoy Connie Kaldor’s show!

Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Acoustic Music, Author, Canadian, children's book, Folk Alliance International, Folk Alliance Region Midwest, folk music, Juno, podcast, prairie life, Singer/songwriter, virtual concert | Comments Off

Folk Music Lovers | Ashley & Simpson | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres December 30, 7pm/CST

Posted on December 26, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Jennifer Ashley & Joel Simpson are wrapping up the holiday season of 2020 for Woodstock Wednesdays with their traditional folk music songs and instrumentation along with beautiful vocal harmonies!

Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have or will work with us over the years, including Ashley & Simpson. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting their website at https://ashleyandsimpson.com/ and purchasing their CDs and other merchandise.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, December 30.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performers: Ashley & Simpson

The duo appeared at the Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival in September 2018 as part of the Two Way Street Coffee House stage. In October 2018, Ashley & Simpson were selected to perform in the DJ Showcase at Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM). They attended North East Region Folk Alliance (NERFA) In 2018, as well as Folk Alliance International 2019 in Montreal.

Singer/Songwriter Joel Simpson plays guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, and bass. As a member of Lee Murdock’s Blue Horizon band, he performed on Rich Warren’s Folkstage, was a 2016 Folk Alliance Official Showcase artist, and appeared on Mr. Murdock’s last two albums. He is currently a member of The Chancey Brothers, Chicago’s favorite Irish band, and released his first solo album “Irish Boy’s Dream” in February 2018. Joel lives in Darien, Illinois with his wife and three children.

Singer/Songwriter Jennifer Ashley’s first instrument is piano, but also plays guitar and banjo. Although a lifelong musician, Jennifer is newer to the folk scene. She also may occasionally be seen moonlighting as a rocker in a local 80s cover band, Turbo Shot. Jennifer lives in Hinsdale, Illinois with her husband and three children.

With their sophomore release “Off To Here Land,” they have pushed the art of folk to a new sound with an all traditional track list that will delight fans new and old. Both bringing a classical perspective to their duo, Jennifer Ashley & Joel Simpson have reached a new level with incorporating elements of jazz, popular music and other modern styles in their arrangements.

On February 1, 2019, “Off To Here Land” was released and Jennifer and Joel had the honor to have their release show at the legendary Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove, Illinois. In its debut month, “Off To Here Land” was #7 TOP ALBUM on the Folk Radio Charts, and Ashley & Simpson earned the distinction of #9 TOP ARTIST for the month.

They announced their arrival to the folk scene in October 2017 with the release of their debut album, “Winnie,” an epic love story unfolding song by song, chronicling the journey of two kids in love from Smalltown, USA.

Since forming in 2016, Ashley & Simpson have opened for 5 time Grammy nominated blue-grass artists “Dailey & Vincent,” Grammy nominated artist Dave Rudolph, and for gold-record artist Michael Gurley (dada, Butterfly Jones, and Kiefer Sutherland Band). They have appeared on Lilli Kuzma’s Folk Festival on Chicago’s WDCB, as well as Chicago’s Windy City Irish Radio WCIR.

Preproduction has begun on their third album, “Hello, Mrs. Sun,” which features all original songs. In addition to Ashley & Simpson, the partners operate an independent record label called Randomosity Records located in Downers Grove, IL. The pair also enjoy volunteering at local folk venues and festivals.

Enjoy Ashley & Simpson’s folk music show!

Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Ashley & Simpson, Blue Horizon Band, Folk, Jazz, Jennifer Ashley, Joel Simpson, Randomosity Records, The Chancey Brothers, Turbo Shot Band, Two Way Street Coffee House, Virtual music lessons | Comments Off

Small Potatoes | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres December 23, 7pm CST

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Joel Simpson

It is such a gift to have Small Potatoes continuing this season as the Woodstock Wednesdays artist this week!

Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including Small Potatoes. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting their Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/smallpotatoes and becoming a subscriber. The duo offers new and exclusive content to those subscriptions. You can also make a secure donation using PayPal using the Donate button in the top right corner of their website, http://smallpotatoesmusic.com.

If you would like to donate to the Woodstock Folk Festival, you can use the Donate button in the right column on any page of this site. Right under that button, you can subscribe to our weekly emails and get news of the current week’s performer sent directly to your email box.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, December 23.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performers: Small Potatoes

Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso of Small Potatoes have such a long history with Woodstock Folk Festival. Their performances along with finely tuned songwriting raise their music to the level of fine art. For many years Small Potatoes have been part of Lilli Kuzma’s “Holiday Hoot.” It has become traditional to hear this duo on Folk Festival/WDCB Public Radio or at one of their many holiday concerts. We are grateful to feature them on Woodstock Wednesdays!

Twenty-two years ago, Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, the Chicago-area duo known as Small Potatoes, decided to hit the road. “In one year, we quit our jobs, bought a house, bought a car, and became full-time folk singers–not exactly the greatest combination, financially speaking, or what most people would call a sound business model. We didn’t throw darts at a map, but we might as well have.”

They might not have had the best plan, but what they did have were great songs and musicianship, and the ability to put on a show. Twenty-two years, more than a million miles, 3000 shows, and five Dodge Caravans later, they are listed as a “favorite act” by many coffeehouses, clubs and house concerts across the U.S. They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

They have 7 releases to date that capture their work together as international touring artists. You can purchase their CDs and digital releases here.

In particular check out their “Christmas in the Cabin” CD.

As hometown favorites, it is possible that they may hold the record for most performances with the Woodstock Folk Festival. In addition to receiving our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, Rich participated in the All-Sing Finale this year and also edited both our spring concert and summer Festival when we turned them into virtual events.

Rich performed as a member of The LeftOvers in 2019. Rich and Jacquie did their own set and led the All-Sing Finale as well as performing with Bill Staines in 2016. They also performed in 2012, 2005, and 2001. Rich led a Guitar Workshop in 2001. The duo has performed at so many of concerts over the years. In other words, Small Potatoes are such an important part of the Festival’s history – and its future.

Enjoy the Small Potatoes’ show!

Posted in News, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Christmas in the Cabin, Jacquie Manning, Online Concert, Rich Prezioso, Small Potatoes, Woodstock Folk Festival, Woodstock Wednesdays | Comments Off

Trishmas Concert | Tricia Alexander, Alpha Stewart, Jr., and Diana Laffey | Woodstock Wednesdays | December 16, 7pm/CST

Posted on December 10, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

35th Trishmas Concert: Kicking off the holiday season once again with a little blues ~ a little jazz ~ and of course ~ a few Trishmas Carols!

The Trishmas Concert video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, December 16.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery. If you would like to join the Festival email list, please subscribe in the right column to receive our weekly email on Mondays. If you are able to make a contribution to the Woodstock Folk Festival in any amount, please use the donate button on the right column.

Tricia, like all of our artists, lost most of her gigs this year. Please go to Tricia’s website triciaalexander.org to buy her CDs and books and join her Patreon page. You will also learn about Tricia’s Reiki & BodyTalk Sessions, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Degree Reiki Training / Attunements and Reiki Master Teacher Training.

Get a sneak preview of what’s to come . . .

Want a hint of what’s to come? Click HERE or on the CD cover for “We are the People” right now! Hear and see Tricia Alexander’s reflection in song and pictures on the people and events of this year and beyond.

Then please join us for a holiday treat – a Woodstock Wednesday like no other!

“We Are the People” is just a preview. Be sure to join us this week, December 16, 7pm for this all-new full-length virtual concert Tricia, Alpha, and Diana recorded for Woodstock Wednesdays.

Tricia, Alpha, and Diana are decking the halls with songs and laughter in this family-appropriate concert that features some seasonal favorites, some singing along and of course, Tricia’s fabulously funny Trishmas Carols (a continually growing collection of unique and humorous arrangements that celebrate the season). Joy-filled, uplifting and inspiring are just some of the words used to describe Tricia’s music and performance. Alpha Stewart Jr. (percussionist of wonder and light) is accompanying Tricia, and Diana Laffey, long time music pal, is featured with her incredible vocal harmonies.

More about these artists

Tricia Alexander was the recipient of the 2013 Woodstock Folk Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a powerful vocalist, guitarist, percussionist, harmonica player and performance poet who moves between jazz, blues and folk, spoken word and music, original compositions and re-interpreted cover tunes – and she does it all with seamless grace. The Chicago Sun Times says she is “one of Chicago’s finest folk performers,” and Humanities Iowa calls her, “a modern day Aesop.”

Alpha Stewart, Jr. is the consummate percussionist, a shining star in the Chicago music scene for more than 30 years. Brimming with pure percussive joy, he is a master of rhythms, but even more amazing is his command of textures and synamics. Alpha’s sensitivity and ability to support and color the music without overshadowing it, is second to none.

Together, Tricia and Alpha move and flow like veteran dance partners, creating concerts that are vibrant, nourishing and entertaining.

Chicago’s beloved Diana Laffey adds her exquisite vocal harmonies and comedic gifts to the concert. Diana joyfully touches people of all ages!

She is a teacher in the Wiggleworms Program at the Old Town School of Folk Music specializing in classes for children 12 to 24 months, mixed age, and preschoolers.

Wiggleworms classes are now running online for you to experience the joy of family music making from the safety and comfort of your home. For more information go to https://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/kids/wiggleworms/.

Enjoy the special music!

News from WNUR, 89.3FM ~ Radio Partner

On Sunday, December 20, Radio Partner WNUR will be doing a holiday show that includes interviews with Tricia Alexander and Small Potatoes. Tune in to the show at 89.3FM or wnur.org from 10 a.m. to Noon/Central Time. Shows are later archived at folk.wnur.org. The December 13 show included interviews with Lee Murdock and Robinlee Garber. All of these artists have appeared or will be appearing on Woodstock Wednesdays.

Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of those individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Alpha Stewart Jr., Christmas online concert, Diana Laffey, Percussionist, Performance poet, Reiki sessions and training, Tricia Alexander, Trishmas Concert, Wiggleworms | Comments Off

Robinlee Garber | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres December 9, 7 pm/CST

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Joel Simpson

Robinlee Garber continuing this month as Woodstock Wednesdays celebrates the holidays!

Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including Robinlee Garber . You can show your support and appreciation by visiting https://robinleegarber.bandcamp.com/album/somewhere-theres-music and purchasing Robin’s latest digital release. You can also support her with a tip here using PayPal.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, December 9.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performer: Robinlee Garber

Philly born and bred but a proud Chicagoan these days, Robinlee Garber brings a crystalline alto voice with gently burnished edges and an outsider’s point-of-view to the original and time-treasured songs she sings, focusing on a repertoire that harkens to the past without being a novelty act, and is relatable without pandering. Her love of music infuses all her performances, from sophisticated showcases to inclusive open mics, exposing everyone to a lovingly curated and wide-ranging songbook of folk, jazz standards, rock and contemporary music where the voice is front and center.

You can go to Robinlee’s YouTube channel and hear a live version of the title track for her 2018 release “Resilience.”

Featured on WDCB’s Folk Festival with Lilli Kuzma, Robinlee acted as the music director of Culture Cafe for the wildly popular Chicago VeganMania festival for eight years and has been running a well-attended open mic in Chicago. She has also performed across the US, Canada, Sweden and Finland.

Cover art from Robinlee’s current release titled “Somewhere There’s Music”

Her latest album, Somewhere There’s Music, features 9 songs from the Great American Songbook, and her Dad. Recorded with producer Dave Gordon in Evanston, IL and mixed by mixing engineer Scott Gerow in Nashville, TN

Robinlee Garber – Vocals
Dave Gordon – Piano
Chris Siebold – Guitars
Matt Ferguson – Bass
Gerald Dowd – Drums

Robinlee grew up idolizing singer-songwriters and performers of Laurel Canyon’s heyday, like Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and Carole King but was also deeply influenced by the music of her parents: Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Heart is at the center of the music she loves as she believes a great song has universal appeal no matter the language. From her earliest musical memory of sitting in her mother’s teal Chevy station wagon and noticing how perfectly Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” synched up to the windshield wipers to watching “The Sound of Music” on stage as a child and wanting so much to be on stage performing, the transformative power of song has been stitched through Robinlee’s whole life. As someone with chronic health issues that often left her feeling isolated, music was also an especially potent antidote to loneliness.

As a child Robinlee always felt different as she struggled with chronic health issues but found solace in creating art and music. She studied figure drawing and glass sculpture at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, and she won a glass blowing scholarship at the Pilchuck School of Glass in Seattle after graduation. Not feeling entirely satisfied with creating her own art for art’s sake, Robinlee did what she calls artist activist work, and then she ultimately got another full scholarship to earn her Masters degree in Art Therapy at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Since then Robinlee has worked professionally as a creative arts therapist and clinical counselor using music and art to help others heal. Robinlee is looking forward to sharing her music and her message of hope and resilience with everyone.

Enjoy Robinlee’s show!

Posted in News, Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Chanukah, Chanukah Music, Folksinger, Instrumentalist, Love, Online Concert, Peace, Robinlee Garber, Songwriter, Teacher, Therapist, Vegetarian | Comments Off

Joel Mabus | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres December 2, 7pm/CST

Posted on November 27, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Joel Mabus is kicking off this month as Woodstock Wednesdays celebrates the holidays!

Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including Joel Mabus. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting http://www.joelmabus.com/. Once there look for the virtual tip vessel. You can also purchase his CDs including Christmas CDs, and a CD titled Different Hymnals.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, December 2.

It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performer: Joel Mabus

Joel Mabus may be called a singer-songwriter, but he doesn’t sound like one. He’s the son of a 1930s old time fiddle champ and a banjo-pickin’ farm girl. His performing career began in college during the Vietnam era, where he studied anthropology and literature by day and played coffeehouses by night.

You can go to Joel’s YouTube channel and be thoroughly entertained by his relevant, poignant and humorous songs.

One critic writes, “Joel Mabus knows his way around the English language and American culture just as well as he knows his way around a fretboard.”

Nationally known radio host, Rich Warren (Midnight Special, WFMT) named Different Hymnals as one of his favorite CDs of 2017. He wrote: “Mabus selects a different framework and motif for each album he records. His knowledge of music runs exceptionally broad and deep. Different Hymnals covers shades of faith from near agnostic to devout. The album is highly spiritual, but not particularly religious. Although it includes a few Christian hymns, it is not a Christian album. The spiritual songs suit nearly any faith. He includes originals, rewrites of traditional hymns and even a lengthy Child ballad imbued with spiritual/moral overtones. An outstanding guitarist, Mabus also mixes instrumentals with songs. Mabus connects all of these fourteen songs with the message that shared faith of whatever religion can bring us closer together and that peace is the ultimate goal.”

“Joel is one of those quintessentially Midwestern American artists. He has a style we will always associate with Will Rogers or Mark Twain, and a great sense of humour which compliments, rather than contradicts, some very serious material. He has perfected the art of being entertaining without pandering, he teaches without lecturing, and does it all with great style.” ~ VANCOUVER FOLK FESTIVAL

Born in 1953 in the southern Illinois town of Belleville, Joel has recorded 27 solo albums of original and traditional music since his recording career started in 1978. Joel’s latest CD is 2019s Time & Truth, a return to songwriting both topical and timeless. Among his awards: inducted into the Detroit Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2000, the inaugural Lantern Bearer Award presented by Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FAI) in 2006.

A one-off in the folk world, Mabus defies any easy pigeon-hole. His palette ranges from mountain banjo to jazz guitar — from sensitive introspection to wicked satire. He’s both picker and poet, and from coast to coast over the past 40 years this Midwesterner has brought audiences to their feet, wanting more.

JOEL’S BOOK The only bound book of his, to date: Parlor Guitar, was published by Hal Leonard — a world wide publishing firm — in 2006. This book has detailed note-for-note transcriptions (music & tab) of ten songs from the Parlor Guitar CD. The book also has a CD included of those 10 cuts from the original album.

Enjoy Joel’s show!

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Folksinger, Instrumentalist, Joel Mabus, Online Concert, Songwriter, Teacher | Comments Off

Claudia Schmidt | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres November 25, 7pm/CST

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Joel Simpson

Join us for Woodstock Wednesdays with this special Thanksgiving week performance! Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and spoken word to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including Claudia Schmidt. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting https://www.claudiaschmidt.com/. Once there look for the virtual tip vessel.

To support the Woodstock Folk Festival, please use the donate button in the right column of this site. If you are not on our mailing list, you can subscribe just below the donate button.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, November 25. It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performer: Claudia Schmidt

If it were the intention of the creator or creators of this universe to perfectly blend together the night sky with moon and stars, it might have been their intention as well to deliver Claudia Schmidt as their messenger of reminder.

To say that Schmidt is simply a performer with a talent to entertain would be an understatement. Schmidt takes her audiences into her world as easily as the child who discovers the endless universes that exist in a cardboard box. We are delighted that she is performing for Woodstock Wednesdays. The peace and gratitude that she conveys in her music is truly a gift we can be thankful for this week.

From lying on sandy beaches under an endless barrage of northern lights, to the expected anguish and frustration of spinning tires on cars stuck deep in snow, from the age-old struggle of change between adolescence and adulthood to the observation of sheer idiocy, she leaves it to the imagination of her audience to conjure their own images of her storytelling and song. No interpretation of a Claudia Schmidt song or story is wrong — she invites audiences to tie their associations to her style.

About Claudia and her connect to Woodstock Folk Festival

We have followed and supported her from the beginning and throughout her career. She performed at our festival as recently as 2011. She is recognized as an acclaimed artist and was recently on the “Wisdom of the Elders” panel at a recent FARM (Folk Alliance Region Midwest) conference.

Schmidt weaves her way through her concert in much the same manner as a jester. Interwoven anecdotes, revealing her past and present, bring people to expect a relationship between themselves and memories driven deep with the passage of time. The concert is an endless display of self-realization through humor and longing, leaving audience members yearning to become an integral part of her world. In addition to doing both folk and jazz, Claudia also does theater and poetry. Aside from her own work, Claudia has worked with follow artists such as Michael P. Smith and Sally Rogers.

“Schmidt is a one-woman revitalization movement. Schmidt is the best at what she does.” ~ The Tribune (Oakland, Ca.)

“Claudia Schmidt is a true artist-she has talent AND the fire of genius.” ~ The Boston Globe

We know you will enjoy Claudia’s show.

Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged Claudia Schmidt, folk music, Online Concert, Woodstock Wednesdays | Comments Off

David R. Hawkins | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres November 18, 7pm/CST

Posted on November 13, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Join us for Woodstock Wednesdays! Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and storytelling to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including David Hawkins. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting https://hawkmanmusic.com/ and purchasing his CDs.

To support the Woodstock Folk Festival, please use the donate button in the right column of this site. If you are not on our mailing list, you can subscribe just below the donate button.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, November 18. It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performer: David R. Hawkins

In 2017, David opened the Woodstock Folk Festival and led the All-Sing Finale. He has also performed at other Woodstock Folk Festival concerts. We are delighted that he is performing for Woodstock Wednesdays.

David Hawkins has found Pittsburgh by way of Chicago, New Orleans, Tulsa, and Detroit, and he has picked up musical flavors wherever he has lived. His songs are both tough and gentle, born in a place where flesh and spirit meet and one’s soul is on the line. They are songs of Love, Hope, Death, Loss, a splash of Whiskey, and an echo of the Divine.

A Few Thoughts from David ~ Singer/songwriter and former English Teacher

As an English teacher, I had the privilege of reading and teaching some of the greatest writing in the English language. Of course, that set the bar pretty high for me as a writer. Nevertheless, while I see myself falling short in nearly everything I write, I’m much more attuned to the power of the word than I would have been otherwise. Also, ideas from literature often show up during the writing process without my being conscious of it at the time.

Thousands of websites are full of musicians looking for a style, trend, image, or even a true depiction of who they are–anything to be noticed as distinct identities in an ocean of identities. Often, even the really good musicians seem to be drops in the bucket, spit in the ocean. At its best, music is about how the spirit of a song calls to us. My vision is that the true voices in music will emerge from the blurred mass and be heard alongside the other true voices already among us. The way I see it, somewhere under all the layers is a true voice in everyone. Whether or not I have found my truest voice yet, I know that one of the ways that I feel closest to it is through writing or singing a song.

David Hawkins (L) and Don Stiernberg (R)

“With his second release, Hello Mr. Death & Other Love Songs, David Hawkins delivers an excellent collection of new material, from the delightfully witty romp with the title track, to superb country-infused tracks and gorgeous ballads. The well-crafted songs shine with fine vocals and acoustic guitar, and embellishments by noted sidemen such as Don Stiernberg, Mark Dvorak, David Wallace, and Clark Sommers, among others, contribute to this top-shelf production filled with stand-out material from start to finish. It is highly recommended.” ~ Lilli Kuzma, Host of Folk Festival, WDCB Public Radio, Glen Ellyn/Chicago, IL.

You can go to David’s website and listen to audio or watch videos of his music. Purchase CDs by visiting https://hawkmanmusic.com/buy-music

We know you will enjoy David’s show.

Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.

Posted in Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged David R. Hawkins, Online concerts, Singer/songwriter | Comments Off

Lee Murdock | Woodstock Wednesdays | Encore Presentation November 11, 7pm/CST

Posted on November 6, 2020 by wff1

A Message From Woodstock Folk Festival President Carol Obertubbesing

This week the Woodstock Folk Festival salutes the 50th Anniversary of the Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove by offering an encore of the July 15 Woodstock Wednesday that featured Lee and Joann Murdock. Lee, along with Andrew Calhoun, will be part of the Coffee House’s virtual celebration on Friday night, December 4 at 8 p.m./CST. It will be on the Two Way Street Facebook page and YouTube channel. Go to twowaystreet.org for additional information about the celebration and how to watch this concert.

The history of the Festival and Two Way Street Coffee House are interwoven; many artists have performed at both, and often Two Way Street featured a Festival musician on the Friday night before the Festival. Andrew Calhoun (December 4), Mark Dvorak (November 27), Lee Murdock (December 4), and Small Potatoes (November 20) are all part of the Two Way Street celebration and all have received Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Dave Humphreys, who founded Two Way Street and served as its director for over 45 years, received one of the the Festival’s Inaugural “Woody” Awards in 2018. Heather Styka, featured in the celebration on November 6, was part of the Festival’s “Power of Song” concert earlier this year. That concert is still available in the Video Gallery of the Festival website. In 2010 the Festival helped the Coffee House celebrate its 40th Anniversary by presenting Cheryl Niemo & the Down Home Boys at an all-day celebration in Downers Grove. We regret that we cannot celebrate in person this year.

The prominence of Chicago on the national folk scene is due in part to the collaborative nature of folk venues, festivals, and performers in this area. Together we make each other stronger. Two Way Street Coffee House’s illustrious history is truly indicative of the “Power of Song,” and the Festival salutes everyone who has performed at or been associated with the Coffee House.

Serendipitously, this fall Joel Simpson, along with Jennifer Ashley, became Directors of the Two Way Street Coffee House. Now Joel has joined the team presenting Woodstock Wednesdays. We hope this symbiotic relationship will strengthen the bond between our organizations even further.

Joel and his business partner Jennifer Ashley are the musical duo Ashley & Simpson; they will perform at next year’s Woodstock Folk Festival on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Joel will also perform with the George Mattson Trio as part of the 50th Anniversary on November 13.

Thanks to the entire team who bring you Woodstock Wednesdays – Mike Breen, Leslie Cook, Julie Roberts, Annemarie Serra, Mary Sherman, and Joel Simpson.

Blue Horizon performing at Folk Alliance International 2016 in Kansas City (left to right: Joel Simpson, Lee Murdock and Mike Bradburn)
Blue Horizon performing at Fox Valley Folklore and Storytelling Festival (left to right: Joel Simpson, Lee Murdock and Mike Bradburn)
Blue Horizon performing at WFMT/Folk Stage with Rich Warren (left to right: Joel Simpson, Lee Murdock, Mike Bradburn and Rich Warren)

And now for Lee & Joann Murdock, this week’s Woodstock Wednesdays encore performance . . .

Join us for Woodstock Wednesdays! Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality storytelling and music to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years.

Read all about Lee and Joann Murdock and enjoy their video HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, November 11. It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching other past performers’ shows as well by visiting on our Video Gallery.

Supporting the Performers Who Support Us

Your donations and purchases are a great way to thank Lee and Joann for creating this Woodstock Wednesdays video! Please show your support by visiting http://leemurdock.com/.

We need your help spreading the word! When you receive our email each week, please visit Facebook or Twitter (or both!) and search for the Woodstock Folk Festival page. You can always tell who we are by the raccoon logo. Take the top post and share it with your Friends and Followers. Remember to look at all the previous performers in our Video Gallery and view their videos again and share with your friends and family.

To support the Woodstock Folk Festival, go to the button on the right. If you are not on our mailing list, please sign up in the right column of our website.

_{Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.}

Posted in News, Online Events, Woodstock Wednesdays | Tagged folk music, Lee and Joann Murdock, Online concerts, Two Way Street Coffee House | Comments Off

Mustard’s Retreat | Woodstock Wednesdays | Premieres November 4, 7pm/CST

Posted on October 30, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Join us for Woodstock Wednesdays! Woodstock Folk Festival is excited to bring high quality music and storytelling to our community and to enjoy and support these artists who have worked with us over the years, including Mustard’s Retreat. You can show your support and appreciation by visiting https://www.mustardsretreat.com/ and purchasing their CDs.

To support the Woodstock Folk Festival, please use the donate button in the right column of this site. If you are not on our mailing list, you can subscribe just below the donate button.

The video premieres HERE at 7pm/CST, Wednesday, November 4. It will remain in our Gallery after the show if you would like to see it again or share it with others. You can enjoy watching our past performers’ shows by clicking on our Video Gallery.

Featured Performers: Mustard’s Retreat

David Tamulevich had been doing some singing with Michael Hough, a fellow musician and cook at the same restaurant, but Michael was busy playing bass for another singer. David had the gig at the Heidelberg for 2 months when Michaels other gig came to an end, so David suggested that Michael audition at the Old Heidelberg which he did and got the job. Over the next 2 months David would come and sit in with Michael, and then Libby would come up to sing … and their popularity grew. By the middle of May 1975 they were playing together all the time, and decided to formalize things … and Mustard’s Retreat was born.

In 2015, David Tamulevich and Michael Hough performed at the Woodstock Folk Festival. Michael has now retired. David and Libby Glover are performing for Woodstock Wednesdays.

Mustard’s Retreat has always sung the songs they enjoyed and cared about, regardless of the trends of the music industry and pop culture. They are committed to simply being themselves, not chasing fame or brass rings, while delighting in and connecting with their audiences as if they were family. The honesty of what they present onstage and the extensive body of outstanding original songs and recordings all contribute to a fiercely loyal audience that continues to grow. “Music to cure what ails you” was how one reviewer in the 1970s described them, and that is as true now as it was then.

They’ve traveled more than a million miles and performed more than 6,000 shows, from pig roasts and pool parties to Lincoln Center Out of Doors, The Barns at Wolftrap and the Kennedy’s Center’s Millennium Stage.

Follow these links to upcoming virtual concerts by Mustard’s Retreat.

Thursday, November 5th 2020 Mustard’s Retreat at Virtual Concert for The Ark Ann Arbor, MI; Thursday, November 19th 2020 Mustard’s Retreat at Virtual Concert for the Hiawatha Music Coop Marquette, Michigan; Friday, December 4th 2020 Mustard’s Retreat at Virtual Concert for the Earlville Opera House Earlville, NY

Their performances are always joyful and uplifting, as well as intelligent, thought provoking and insightful. They’ve recently begun referring to their career and touring as “Defiantly Hopeful.” In part due to their long career, but more as a statement about what the music has meant to them. “Folk music is, at its heart, defiantly hopeful!” Tamulevich says. “We came of age in the 60s, at the confluence of Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan and the singer/songwriter revolution. We care much more about what we do and stand for and finding that common ground with our audiences, than fame or money: this is our community of choice, and we consider ourselves so fortunate to be here.”

“Mustard’s Retreat played to an enthusiastic crowd at the Indy Folk Series. David Tamulevich and Libby Glover charmed everyone with their songs and stories. Fine guitar picking, coupled with beautiful harmonies, carried the evening. Libby shined with her accapela songs and unique poems, she commands the stage. We had great comments about them from the audience, a tribute to their talent.” ~ Indy Folk Series

“Music to cure what ails you.” – Michigan Times

“Fresh, vital, relevant” – Robert Reid, Waterloo Record, ON, 2015

Purchase CDs by visiting https://www.mustardsretreat.com/legacy/music-new/

We know you will enjoy Mustard’s Retreat’s show!

_{Views expressed by performers and others who appear at Woodstock Folk Festival events or on the website are solely the views of these individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Festival or its Board members.}