|
Branford Folk Music Society
The Branford Folk Music Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit
organization recognized as tax exempt under the Internal Revenue
Service Code section 501(c)(3). The Society sponsors the Branford
Folk Coffeehouse, a monthly folk music concert series, 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,
and members' admission prices to the
Eisteddfod
Festival of Traditional Music on November 4-6, 2011 in New York.
Become a member of the Branford Folk Music Society.
More about the Eisteddfod:
Press release
and flyer.
|
Branford Folk Coffeehouse
The Branford Folk Coffeehouse is in the auditorium of the First
Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main Street, Branford, CT.
Wheelchair accessible. Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. Unless
otherwise specified, admission is $15 for nonmembers, $12 for members,
and $5 for children 12 and under.
Directions: 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).
For more information, call 203-488-7715.
Email: branfordfolk@gmail.com
If parking immediately next to the Church and the Green is full, there is
additional parking nearby. Please click the following link for maps and a
detailed list of parking areas:
http://www.branfordjazz.com/directions.php
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.
|
The Zu Zazz String Orkestra plays and sings a lively collection of
Americana: jazz, jump, swing, blues and Tin Pan Alley tunes from the
early to mid-twentieth century and beyond.
Zu Zazz performs an eclectic mix of zany tunes, playing string-band interpretations of abandoned and regional styles of American music from the first three decades of popular recordings -- Hawaiian, cow-jazz, old-timey, vaudeville, old-movie, tent-revival, blues, jump, bluegrass, cowboy, swing, traditional jazz, and novelty numbers.
This swinging acoustic sextet plays a collection of vintage acoustic instruments with unusual folk instruments in the mix--imagine a Ford Model A kazooba or a dancing limberjack backbeat. Listen to songs by such musical greats as Charlie Poole, Mae West, J.D. Mainer, Helen Hume, Jimmie Rodgers, Victoria Spivey, Irving Berlin, Sippie Wallace, W.C. Handy, and Gene Autry.
Expect to be dancing and laughing. No angst. No tears. The Zu Zazz Orkestra playbill of eclectic hits is sure to please every listener in the house.
|
|
Andrew Van Norstrand (fiddle, guitar bouzouki) and Noah Van Norstrand
(fiddle, mandolin, feet) play a unique, high-energy blend of traditional
and original material and regularly tour all over North America.
March 10, 2012: Chris Koldewey and John Kirk
Chris is a singer of songs with a strong historic base. Songs that
were composed long ago, or although written today speak with a voice of
timelessness. Chris is also a talented multi-instrumentalist.
John Kirk is known for his lyric voice, good sense of humor and
versatile instrumental skills. On fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo,
keyboard and tin whistle, John demonstrates a vast knowledge of musical
traditions.
April 14 2012: Dan Milner and Jeff Davis
Dan Milner is a renowned ballad singer and folk song collector. Jeff
Davis is one of America's most respected collectors and interpreters of
traditional music. This will be a program of Civil War era songs from
the sea, land and home front and you never know who else might show up
and join them on stage.
May 12, 2012: Forebitter
The four members, Geoff Kaufman, David Littlefield, Craig Edwards and
Rick Spencer that make up this famed sea chantey quartet are renowned in
sea music circles for their intricate harmonies that are blended with a
host of musical instruments to make for a fun and lively evening of
music. Bring your voices and be ready to sing along.
Previous concerts at the Branford Folk Coffeehouse
Branford Folk Photo Gallery
Restaurants in Branford
Volunteers Needed!
The Branford Folk Music Society is looking for a volunteer to
manage the signs that we put up at the church for each concert.
This includes storing the signs at your home, bringing them to each
concert and setting them up. If you are interested or would like
more information, please let us know at a concert or by email at
branfordfolk@gmail.com.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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/
|
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@gmail.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)
|
|
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!
|
Folk Music on the Radio
WNHU (88.7 FM, West Haven, CT):
"The Folk Show", Friday Noon to 2:00 p.m. with Chuck Vigue;
Saturday Noon to 2:00 p.m. with John Mazza.
"Echoes of Erin", Sunday Noon to 2:00 p.m.
wnhufolk@yahoo.com
http://www.wnhu.net/
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/