While a winter chill fills the air, there’s no shortage of hot acoustic music acts this season – both visiting and home-grown – to help warm your souls.

Although more listings appear in the comprehensive Long Island AcoustiCalendar, here are a few highlights:

Emerging Artists Showcase: Liz Carlisle and Beaucoup Blue

Saturday, January 6 at 8:30 p.m.
preceded by an hour-long open mic
Congregational Church of Huntington, Centerport

The Folk Music Society of Huntington shines the spotlight on three very talented emerging artists who have been making names for themselves on the acoustic scene – 20-something singer-songwriter Liz Carlisle and father and son blues duo Beaucoup Blue. Carlisle, a recent Harvard University grad and Montana native whom I first heard during a late-night song circle at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival a couple of summers ago, has released two fine albums showcasing both her songwriting talent and her infectious country-folk pop sound. Although their latest release is entitled Hearts At Home, Philly-based Adrian and David Mowry (Beaucoup Blue) have been pouring their hearts and souls into their music and taking it on the road to receptive audiences for a couple of years now.

Lucy Kaplansky – Saturday, January 13 at 8 p.m.
Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington

Kaplansky, who is simply one of the best contemporary singer-songwriters, will grace the Landmark’s stage as part of its “Fabulous Females of Folk” series sponsored by WFUV. Her LI appearance follows that of her former “Cry, Cry, Cry” partner, Dar Williams, whose November concert sold out quickly. Lucy’s should too, if it hasn’t already.

Jonathan Edwards Saturday, January 13 at 8 p.m.
Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, Bay Shore

Jonathan Edwards’ sprightly songs, delivered in his own inimitable way, have been bringing “Sunshine” into our lives for 35 years.

Bill Staines – Friday, January 19 at 8 p.m.
Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, Garden City

A traveling troubadour and much-covered writer of such classics as “A Place in the Choir,” “Bridges,” “Crossing the Water” and “River,” Bill Staines makes his annual visit to the Our Times Coffeehouse. It’s sure to be another packed house so get there early — and be prepared to sing along. Staines’ lyrics are memorable and his melodies are infectious.

Ellis Paul (Antje Duvekot opens) Sunday, January 21 at 2 p.m
University Café, Stony Brook

Back by popular demand, both artists have impressed University Café audiences during previous appearances. Ellis Paul, a thoughtful lyricist who has 11 albums to his credit and has had songs featured on movie and TV soundtracks, is one of the most gifted singer-songwriters on the scene today. Named Outstanding Folk Artist in the 2006 Boston New Music Awards, Duvekot is an emerging talent whose songs have also been covered by the Irish ensemble Solas.

Sloan Wainwright Saturday, February 3 at 8 p.m.
Garden Stage at the U. U. Congregation of Central Nassau, Garden City

The recently renamed Garden Stage concert series presents the soulful, smoky voiced Hudson Valley-based singer-songwriter. Sloan Wainwright is Loudon’s sister, Rufus’ and Martha’s aunt, and a very talented performer in her own right.

Red Molly – Sunday, February 11
Court House Concerts, Merrick }

Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello comprise this New York-based rootsy Americana trio that has been deservedly striking a responsive chord with audiences across the East Coast since its formation in 2004 and has been garnering quite a bit of buzz on LI since performing at The Huntington Folk Festival last summer. The trio drew a SRO crowd for a December gig in St. James. Mixing traditional songs with old gospel, bluegrass, covers of old-timey style numbers by contemporary artists and a few originals penned by Gardner (who is also a dobro virtuoso), these talented women mesmerize audiences with their incredibly tight and beautiful three-part harmonies and solid musicianship. Hearing them in the intimate atmosphere of a house concert should be sheer bliss.

Pat Wictor and David Jacobs-Strain – Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m.
University Café, Stony Brook

Charlie Backfish, host of WUSB-FM’s “Sunday Street,” has been bringing some fine acts to Stony Brook University over the past couple of years. This pairing of two stellar performers is no exception. Wictor is a gifted singer-songwriter and lap-style slide guitarist who also is adept at performing traditional numbers in his own distinctive style. Drawing inspiration from rural blues, gospel and rootsy country music, he recently released his third CD, “Heaven is So High and I’m So Far Down.” Much in demand as a backing artist and wowing folks on his own, Wictor is on his way up in acoustic music circles. Although just 22, Jacobs-Strain plays and sings the acoustic blues (traditional and contemporary, covers and originals) with a passion, energy and technical proficiency that belie his young age.