Off Square Music Hosts A New Concert Series

Posted on July 21, 2020 by wff

Off Square Music is hosting a new concert series beginning July 26 on the Historic Woodstock Square. The concerts will be held from 5 to 7pm/CDT every Sunday evening for the next 8 weeks. Local bands will be featured, and the event is free.

If you would like to leave a donation for the artists, it would be appreciated. We will practice social distancing, and this is a chance to hear some good live music outside.

Most of the bands are lined up, and the first five weeks are listed below. These are all great bands, offering a wide range of music. The first evening is split between Big Fish and Cheryl & the Downhome Boys.

Off Square Music Schedule — On the Woodstock Square

  • 7/26 – Cheryl & Downhome Boys | Big Fish
  • 8/2 – Sessions Jazz with Al Skaronea
  • 8/9 – LeftOvers
  • 8/16 – Bad Penny
  • 8/23 – Cassandra & Ken Johnson

These are trying times, but good music will help us through!

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Woodstock Wednesdays | Online Folk Music Concerts | Meghan Cary | July 22, 7pm/CDT

Posted on July 17, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Join the Woodstock Folk Festival weekly for great music. We are excited to present Woodstock Wednesdays, a way to bring the best in folk music to our community and to enjoy and support performers who have worked with us over the years.

Here’s the link for the video: https://woodstockfolkfestival.org/aiovg_videos/meghan-cary-woodstock-wednesdays-premieres-july-22-2020-7pm-cdt/. The video will remain in our Gallery after the show.

We know you’ll want to get all the information about who’s performing and how to see the show. If you’re not on our mailing list, please sign up using the Mailing List signup in the right column of our website. 

Featuring Meghan Cary

With masterful storytelling and award-winning songs, Cary engages audiences on a powerfully personal level, inviting them in and leading them through an experience that has been called healing, inspiring and outrageously joyful. A frequent performer at such venerable festivals as Philadelphia Folk Festival, Spring Gulch, Huntington, DelMarVa Folk Festival, and music venues around the country, Cary’s message of unity and the power of raising our voices together infuses every show, and her song, “Sing Louder”, has become an anthem for the music-loving community. Her smoky voice, emotional singing, and vulnerable writing garner favorable comparisons to Melissa Etheridge, Brandi Carlisle, and even Bruce Springsteen. 

Also, be sure to check out the River Rock Project, an independent project by singer/songwriter activist Meghan Cary. Fueled by the desire to film and share Cary’s empowerment anthem, River Rock, and inspired by the compelling story of the Justice Bell and the women who employed this powerful symbol in the fight for women’s right to vote, The River Rock Project shines a spotlight on women who fought for equality throughout history and gives voice to women who are continuing that fight today. Meghan’s engagement with the history of women’s suffrage makes her a perfect lead-in to our month long celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the U.S. next month.

Meghan Cary will open the 2021 Woodstock Folk Festival

What people are saying about Meghan.

“These times require songs of compassion and commitment which inspire us to reach our higher selves and Meghan sings them with such infectious joy you can’t resist joining in.”

— John Platt, WFUV 90.7 FM

“Can the world stand one more storytelling troubadour? If the artist in question is Cary, the answer is resounding yes. Seek this one out.”

— Billboard Magazine

“Meghan Cary, with indefatigable energy, molds every song with sophisticated melodies and intriguing lyrics. “Sing Louder” delivers hard-won, uplifting realizations from life’s struggles. ” – Richard Cuccaro

— Acoustic Live NYC

Donations

Please visit performer websites to purchase their CDs and other merchandise and to donate to them. With all their gigs cancelled, they need your support. Your donations and purchases are a great way to thank Meghan Cary for creating this Woodstock Wednesdays video! – https://meghancary.com/

You may also donate to the Festival via the Donate Button at the top of the right column on every page of this website.

We know you’ll enjoy the show!

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Woodstock Wednesdays | Online Folk Music Concerts | Joann & Lee Murdock | July 15, 7pm/CDT

Posted on July 10, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Join the Woodstock Folk Festival weekly for great music, fun and friends. We are excited to present Woodstock Wednesdays, a way to bring the best in folk music to our community and to enjoy and support performers who have worked with us over the years.

Here’s where to enjoy the show when it premieres at 7pm/CDT: https://woodstockfolkfestival.org/aiovg_videos/joann-and-lee-murdock/. The video will remain in our Gallery after the show.

We know you’ll want to get all the information about who’s performing and how to see the show. If you’re not on our mailing list, please sign up using the Mailing List signup in the right column of our website. 

Featuring Lee Murdock

Lee Murdock has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. Taking snapshots from history, his songs summon the listener to take a front-row seat, to look through the eyes and into the hearts of individuals who have shaped our heritage on and around the Great Lakes. His concerts invoke a sense of place, but it is a universal place, and a timeless repertoire that celebrates the North American people, their triumphs and tragedies, work songs and pastimes.

Noted as a fluent instrumentalist on six and twelve string guitars, Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. His musical influences span fifteen generations, and combine original compositions with traditional music.

There is an amazing timelessness in this music. Great Lakes songs are made of hard word, hard living, ships that go down and ships that come in.

“I’m interested in trying to find the life in these songs; in making music that’s exciting to people today. I am looking for the songs and the interesting stories, not only for the people who already enjoy folk music, but for those who think they don’t like folk music.” Lee Murdock

Lee and Joann Murdock were the recipients of the 2011 Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.

Joann Murdock founded the booking agency, Artists of Note, in 1984, and for more than three decades she has been a dedicated and full-time supporter of the folk arts. In addition to the agency, Joann is a founding member and former Treasurer/Board Member of the Folk Alliance International, and she volunteers her time for many other organizations dedicated to folk music. Not a music maker, Joann plays the computer keyboards and in her spare time she works at fiber arts.

What people are saying about Lee.

“ … bringing a fresh musical sound to the Great Lakes. Not only is he a recording artist, he’s a historian … he has given the Great Lakes the limelight using authentic Great Lakes source material, of the past and the present, as the basis for his music.”— Richard Palmer, in Inland Seas, the Quarterly Journal of the Great Lakes Historical Society (Toledo OH)

“The premier interpreter of songs and tales about the Great Lakes … Murdock’s regionalist approach does the area proud.”— Paul-Emile Comeau, Dirty Linen Magazine

“Your program was our highest attended program or event to date. Our patrons have been raving about your concert! Songs of the great Lakes was entertaining, educational and pure joy!”— St Charles IL Public Library

Donations

Please visit performer websites to purchase their CDs and other merchandise and to donate to them. With all their gigs cancelled, they need your support. Your donations and purchases are a great way to thank Lee and Joann for creating this Woodstock Wednesdays video! – http://leemurdock.com/

You may also donate to the Festival via the Donate Button at the top of the right column on every page of this website.

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Woodstock Wednesdays: Amy Beth – July 8, 7pm/CDT

Posted on July 3, 2020 by wff

Join the Woodstock Folk Festival weekly for great music, fun and friends. We are excited to present Woodstock Wednesdays, a way to bring the best in folk music to our community and to enjoy and support performers who have worked with us over the years.

Click here to enjoy the concert. The video will remain in our Gallery after the show.

We know you’ll want to get all the information about who’s performing and how to see the show. If you’re not on our mailing list, please sign up using the Mailing List signup in the right column of our website. 

Featuring Amy Beth

Woodstock’s own lady of story and song, Amy Beth, is always doing something to bring people together to share music or reflect on life’s meaning and purpose. An accomplished instrumentalist, singer, teacher, and storyteller, Amy will make you feel good about being alive.

In 1986 Amy Beth founded the annual Woodstock Folk Festival and was the President of the Board of Directors and served as Artistic Director until she retired in 2002. In 2005 she was presented with its fourth annual Lifetime Achievement Award.

Over the years she has learned to play violin/fiddle, clawhammer style 5-string banjo, autoharp, fretless banjo, cello, ukulele, flute, and mandolin. Her repertoire has grown to an impressive number of songs—both serious and humorous—and tunes.

Amy plays violin in the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, and has served on its Board of Directors from 2008 to the present. Amy is a member of the Kishwaukee Ramblers, a trio that plays traditional American and Celtic folk music, children’s songs, and instrumentals. She also performs with the Merrie UkuLadies group.

What people are saying about Amy.

“Amy’s music and stories have graced McHenry County for years. Her humor, environmental consciousness and talent are sure to entertain you.” ~ Jerry Paulson, McHenry County Defenders

“Amy has a clear vocal style and presents a wide variety of music including folk, country, old timey and contemporary humor. She plays guitar, clawhammer banjo, autoharp, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, mandolin, bones and percussion. Amy provides individual instruction on many of these instruments.” ~ Woodstock Folk Festival

“She makes it look easy. That takes hard work, …but that’s Amy for you.” ~ Christopher Shaw

More About Amy Beth’s Activities

Amy holds a regular monthly event on the 3rd Friday of every month. To find out more about Amy Beth’s many musical activities and check out her schedule including Amy Beth and Friends, be sure to visit her website – (http://woodstockfolkmusic.com/amybeth/)

We look forward to having you join us at this week’s Woodstock Wednesdays show.

Donations

Please visit performer websites to purchase their CDs and other merchandise and to donate to them. With all their gigs cancelled, they need your support. You may also donate to the Festival via the Donate Button at the top of the right column on every page of this website.

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Woodstock Wednesdays This Week: Joe Jencks — July 1, 7pm/CDT

Posted on July 2, 2020 by woodstockfolkfestival

Click here to enjoy the show. The video will remain available in our Video Gallery for a time following the premiere.

Donations

Please visit performer websites to purchase their CDs and other merchandise and to donate to them. With all their gigs cancelled, they need your support. Your donations and purchases are a great way to thank Joe for creating this wonderful video! – joejencks.com

You may also donate to the Festival via the Donate Button at the top of the right column on every page of this website.

Woodstock Wednesdays

Join the Woodstock Folk Festival for great music, fun and friends. We are excited to present Woodstock Wednesdays, a way to bring the best in folk music to our community and to enjoy performers who have worked with us over the years.

Woodstock Wednesdays will offer weekly performances throughout the year, not just at the Festival and concerts. We’ll have a way to build a closer bond with you, our fans — and we can all support our performers.

A great way to support our performers is to go to their websites, buy CDs and other merchandise, become a Patreon or whatever member platform they use, and donate to them.  With so many gigs cancelled, they need and deserve your support!

Of course, the Festival also appreciates your support, and you can make a donation at any time by using the Donate button on this website or by sending a check made payable to Woodstock Folk Festival to P.O. Box 1628, Woodstock, IL 60098.

Each Wednesday, we’ll host a Facebook Watch Party and launch the video in our website Gallery, where it will also be available after the event. Performances launch at 7pm/CDT every Wednesday. 

We know you’ll want to get all the information about who’s performing and how to join the party. If you’re not on our mailing list, please sign up using the Mailing List signup in the right column of our website. 

JOE JENCKS PERFORMING THIS WEEK, JULY 1, 7pm/CDT

Joe Jencks is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist, known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. You can learn much more about Joe’s current work to promote justice on his website joejencks.com.

Joe Jencks

A 21-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, Joe has released 14 CDs in that time. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit.

Joe performed solo at our Woodstock Folk Festival and with Brother Sun and is scheduled to perform at our 2021 Woodstock Folk Festival. He’s done excellent concerts online as well as a segment on Lilli Kuzma’s show. He periodically does a show online where he features other artists. 

Here are things Joe’s fans have said about him:

The key to the future is people joining in. The music of Joe Jencks captures this essential spirit. Joe is a fantastic singer who carries on the traditions. ~ Pete Seeger

Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers is absolutely Joe Jencks’ finest effort thus far. Jencks’ captivating tenor voice, lofted by flawless production, demonstrates music of conscience and provides a feast for the ear as well as nourishment for the soul. ~ Rich Warren, The Midnight Special – WFMT, Chicago, IL

I find that Joe embodies the spirit of Pete Seeger, who was at the forefront of social struggles in his generation. In much the same way, Joe has his finger on the pulse of our grass-roots social conscience and passes it on for us to scrutinize. He wraps his messages in beautiful melodies and sings them with an outstanding tenor voice. Every generation needs a voice for social justice. Joe Jencks is one of those very important voices.” ~ Judy Matzen, Off Square Concerts, Woodstock, IL

We look forward to seeing you at our first Woodstock Wednesdays performance featuring Joe Jencks, July 1, 7pm on Facebook or in the Video Gallery on our website. Invitations will follow via email. Feel free to invite friends who are not on our email list.

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WFMT to Feature Woodstock Folk Festival Friends, June 6, 13 and July 11.

Posted on July 2, 2020 by wff

Woodstock Folk Festival’s Radio Partner WFMT will present previous Festival performers Heather Styka (June 6) and Joe Jencks (June 13) as well as Fendrick & Peck (July 11), whom we hope to present in 2021, on “Folkstage.”  “Folkstage” airs Saturday nights from 8-9 p.m./CDT on 98.7FM or www.wfmt.com.

This Saturday night WFMT will hold its spring fundraiser, which supports folk music programming.  

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Woodstock Folk Festival Presents the 35TH Annual Woodstock Folk Festival – Reimagined, and Announces “Woodstock Wednesdays”!

Posted on July 2, 2020 by wff

Come to the 35th Annual Woodstock Folk Festival – Reimagined, on SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2020 from 2-4 p.m. CDT, online HERE.

Due to current health concerns and large gathering restrictions, the Festival has invited all of the originally scheduled 2020 performers to next year’s in-person Festival on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Here’s What’s Coming for the 35th Annual Woodstock Folk Festival — Reimagined

Rather than cancel this year’s Festival, the Board chose to reimagine it, taking advantage of what an online event can offer, while preserving the flavor of a Woodstock event. Long time co-hosts Chuck VanderVennet and Rich Warren will welcome everyone, and viewers will be treated to a virtual tour of the historic Square.

The heart of the event will be two half-hour segments, each featuring music and conversation with performers. One segment will feature Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway, and the other, Christine Lavin and Megon McDonough. While the Festival is known for the high quality and variety of music, it generally cannot present conversations between performers, something it is uniquely positioned to do this year.

Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway, both renowned solo performers, toured the country with their “Deeper Than the Skin” show. Friends for over 30 years, one black, one white, one from the North, one from the South, they come together as musicians, storytellers, students of history and world travelers. Through music and conversation, their separate narratives are forged into one powerful friendship aimed at finding common ground and helping others to do the same.

Early in their careers Christine Lavin and Megon McDonough came together as half of the Four Bitchin’ Babes. Christine has entertained audiences with a mix of humorous and tender songs. She also nurtures and promotes new generations of performers. Megon, who will be next year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, began writing songs as a child. Her vast repertoire has led her from performing in Patsy Cline shows to writing and performing in a solo cabaret show. She has performed on stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Birchmere, and Wolf Trap. She has also served as music director and performed at Unity centers and churches.

Festival founder Amy Beth and award-winning singer-songwriter Crys Matthews will also perform. The Festival will finish with its hallmark All-Sing Finale, featuring past performers. There may be a surprise guest or two.

Woodstock Wednesdays

Join the Woodstock Folk Festival for great music, fun and friends. We are excited to present Woodstock Wednesdays, a way to bring the best in folk music to our community and to enjoy performers who have worked with us over the years.

Woodstock Wednesdays will offer weekly performances throughout the year, not just at the Festival and concerts. We’ll have a way to build a closer bond with you, our fans — and we can all enjoy and support our performers.

Each Wednesday, we’ll launch the video in our website Gallery, where it will also be available after the event. Performances launch at 7pm/CDT. 

A great way to support our performers is to go to their websites, buy CDs and other merchandise, become a Patreon or whatever member platform they use, and donate to them.  With so many gigs cancelled, they need and deserve your support!

Of course, the Festival also appreciates your support, and you can make a donation at any time by using the Donate button on this website or by sending a check made payable to Woodstock Folk Festival to P.O. Box 1628, Woodstock, IL 60098.

We know you’ll want to get all the information about who’s performing and how to join the party. If you’re not on our mailing list, please sign up using the Mailing List signup in the right column of our website. 

More Information

For more information on these and future events and, in August, a commemoration of the “100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the U.S.” with special web features, visit us here often at woodstockfolkfestival.org. Be sure to check out the Calendar and News sections of the site for the most recent event information for the Festival and our Friends.

Donations

Donations are welcome at any time through the Donation tab on the site. The Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, made possible in part by Radio Partners WDCB, WFMT, and WNUR, the City of Woodstock, and Real Woodstock (www.realwoodstock.com).

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My Highway Home ~ Hosted by Joe Jencks

Posted on July 2, 2020 by wff

Celebrating Music, Art, Culture and Community from the driver’s seat.

This week on My Highway Home – A special 4th of July broadcast: We The People?

http://folkmusicnotebook.comThrough music and spoken word, this episode explores ideas about pride and patriotism and about our responsibilities to a democratic society. From the perspective of well-known Americans past and present, to the thoughts of elementary school children, and of course musicians from the Folk circuit and beyond, it will be a unique celebration of the 4th of July.

Tune in this Wednesday July 1st at 8:00pm/CDT

This episode will rebroadcast on Thursday July 2nd at 1:00am/CDT, and again on Sunday July 5th at 12:00pm/CDT  – all on Folk Music Notebook – a virtual folk fest 24 hours a day. (www.folkmusicnotebook.com)

You will find all these events listed in our Folk Music Calendar (woodstockfolkfestival.org/events) where you have the option to drop them into your Google Calendar.

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Important Announcement About the Woodstock Folk Festival – Reimagined

Posted on July 2, 2020 by wff

After much research about health and safety issues, listening to our Governor’s daily briefings and his plan for reopening Illinois, watching Woodstock City Council meetings, communicating with other presenters and organizations, and talking with performers and audience members, we have decided not to have an in-person Festival this year.  

Because we carefully curate the Festival to offer diversity in music styles and performers, we would like to keep this year’s lineup intact.  Therefore, we have invited all of this year’s performers to join us next year on Sunday, July 18, 2021.  

However, this does NOT mean we are cancelling the Festival; rather, we are reimagining it.  Stay tuned to this website for details about our special “Woodstock Folk Festival – Reimagined,” an online event on Sunday, July 19, 2020.  Great music – and more!

We’ll also be premiering “Woodstock Wednesdays” in June.  Again, stay tuned to this website for updates. 

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Off Square Music Hosts Weekly ZOOM Open Mics “Every Saturday”

Posted on May 27, 2020 by wff

Each week, one hour, six performers, two songs each — and a whole lot of fun visiting with friends. That’s Off Square Music’s “Every Saturday” ZOOM Open Mic event. Doors open at 6:45 pm, music begins at 7:00 pm.

How to receive an invitation to join: If you are already on the Off Square Music Open Mic mailing list, you will receive a weekly reminder email with the information to join “Every Saturday.” If you would like to be on that list, please send an email via offsquaremusic@gmail.com so you can be added to it.

For more information and to find out how you can perform, please visit the Off Square Music website: https://offsquaremusic.org/2020/05/every-saturday-weekly-open-mic/.

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