Spring has sprung. Crocuses are blooming. But it’s not just the birds that are singing. Throughout Long Island – from Brooklyn to the
Scroll down for information on more than100 acoustic music events taking place on LI through mid-May. – Michael Kornfeld
April 2008
Tuesday, 4/1
Buddy Merriam & Back Roads, LI bluegrass stalwarts, Checkmate Inn,
Wednesday, 4/2
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performer Jake Armerding, a New England-based singer-songwriter, Deepwells Mansion, Route 25A (just west of Moriches Road intersection), St. James. 8-10 p.m. (www.acousticlongisland.com). Free.
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Thursday, 4/3
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame, in cooperation with the
Old Time Jam with Zot’s Dream (jug music featuring banjos, washboard, wash-tub bass, tin-can drums, etc), Freddy’s
Friday, 4/4
Tim Grimm, Indiana-based singer-songwriter in the Americana tradition, The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bsec.org). 718-768-2972. $10; $6 for kids.
Island Songwriters Showcase, Border’s Books, Jericho Turnpike, Syosset. 8 p.m. Featured performer followed by an open mic. Those wishing to perform must sign up at 7:30 p.m. (www.islandsongwriters.org).
An evening with three female singer-songwriters (Lara Herscovitch, Meg Braun & Denise Jordan Finley), The Garden Stage at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau, 223 Stewart Avenue (corner of Nassau Boulevard), Garden City. 8 p.m. (www.uuccn.org). 516-248-8855. $15.
Roger McGuinn, singer-songwriter, guitarist and former Byrd flies solo, Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC),
PeaceSmiths Topical, A-Typical, Folk Music, Poetry and Whatever Coffeehouse features talented local singer-songwriter David Bailey, poet Amy King + open time, First United Methodist Church,25 Broadway/Route 110 (southernmost end near Merrick Road/Montauk Highway), Amityville. 8 p.m. (www.peacesmiths.org). 631-798-0778. $7 suggested donation (half for kids).
Saturday, 4/5
Mike Agranoff, a folk musician from New Jersey whose eclectic repertoire includes contemporary and traditional ballads, 1920s Tin Pan Alley tunes, parodies and witty original numbers, spoken word and more, performs for the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s First Saturdays Series at the Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Drive (just off Route 25A), Centerport. 8:30 p.m. concert is preceded by an hour-long open mic at 7:30 p.m. (www.fmshny.org). 631-425-2925. $20; $15 for members.
Greg Brown, a gifted singer-songwriter and Red House Records recording artist, whose songs have been covered by many others, performs as part of the Fabulous Folk Series, along with special guests Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Landmark on
Hamptons Roots Music Festival features touring roots musicians with LI roots Frank Carillo & the Bandoleros, Caroline Doctorow and Little Toby Walker,
James Reams & the Barnstormers, NYC-based bluegrass band, Jalopy, 315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn. 9 p.m.
Miller’s Crossing, LI-based bluegrass band, Fadeley’s Deli Pub,
Sunday, 4/6
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
The Folk Music Society of Huntington presents its monthly folk jam & Sing Along for singers and instrumentalists at the Huntington Public Library,
Bennett Harris Acoustic Blues Duo, featuring the fingerstyle blues & ragtime guitarist with Gary Brooks on bass, Rockville Centre Public Library,
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Monday, 4/7
Lucky 13 Songwriter Series features local artists Susan De Vita, Marci Geller, Cathy Kreger and Terry Winchell, Mirelle’s Restaurant,
Wednesday, 4/9
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performers Annie Lynch & the Beekeepers, Deepwells Mansion, Route 25A (just west of Moriches Road intersection), St. James. 8-10 p.m. (www.acousticlongisland.com). Free.
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Thursday, 4/10
Cathy Kreger, LI-based singer-songwriter, Mac’s Steakhouse,
Phil Minissale, the finger-pickin’ good Long Island Blues Boy is now 21, Toast Coffeehouse,
James O’Malley, a gifted and gentle-voiced LI-based singer-songwriter and two-time finalist in the Plowshares Songwriting Contest, is joined by Corrin Huddelston on harmonica and Joe Porcelli on guitar during the Babylon Village Arts Council’s free 2nd Thursday Concerts series at Astoria Federal Savings Bank, 180 West Main Street., Babylon. 7:30 p.m. 631-669-1810.
Friday, 4/11
Alyson Faith, singer-songwriter and pianist, Grounds and Sounds Café, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, Nichols Road, just north of Route 347. (www.groundsandsounds.uufsb.org). A 45-minute open mic beginning at 8 p.m. precedes the featured performer.
Jack’s Waterfall, Talented LI multi-instrumentalist Jack Licitra & friends fuse an eclectic mix of musical styles(with shades of pop, folk, blues and world music styles), Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore. 8 p.m. (www.boultoncenter.com). 631-969-1101. $20.
Del Rey, Seattle-based fingerstyle blues guitarist, performs as part of the Traveling Troubadours series for the The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bsec.org). 718-768-2972. $15; $6 for kids.
Saturday, 4/12
Bill Carney’s Jug Addicts, a large NYC-based outfit that performs an upbeat and infectious mix of early jazz standards, country, blues and Memphis jug band classics on a wide array of instruments, plays for The Eclectic Café at the Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk, 28 Brentwood Road, Bay Shore. 8:30 p.m. concert is preceded by an hour-long open mic at 7:30 p.m. (www.eclecticcafe.org). 631-661-1278. $10; $8 for members.
Free Grass Union, LI-based bluegrass band, Beau’s Bar, 54 Broadway, Greenlawn. 10:30 p.m.
The Roches bring their wonderful three-part harmonies to the Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC),
Sunday, 4/13
Benefit for WBAI Radio to broadcast the Clearwater Festival – Great Hudson River Revival live from Croton on Hudson, NY over Father’s Day weekend features music by Work O’ the Weavers, James Durst and Madhumita Chakrabartti; live video communication with Pete Seeger from his home overlooking the Hudson; and a discussion of “Race, Democracy and the American News Media” with journalist and Democracy Now co-host Juan Gonzalez, Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington. Food and tabling from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., prior to the program which will run until 9 p.m. For tickets, call 877-278-4842 or visit (www.brownpapertickts.com/event/27469).Donation: $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Wednesday, 4/16
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performer Tom Chapin,
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Thursday, 4/17
Cathy Kreger, LI-based singer-songwriter, Starfish,
Friday, 4/18
Jerry Douglas’ latest album may be entitled The Best Kept Secret, but this accomplished musician, composer and producer has been well-known in music circles for some time now. A three-time CMA Musician of the Year and recipient of a dozen Grammys, this stellar dobro player can be heard on more than 1,000 albums – including the hit O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack – in addition to his own solo releases. He returns to the Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC),
Friday Night Unplugged, monthly series featuring acoustic singer-songwriters, Fadeley’s Deli Pub, 422 West Main Street, Patchogue. No cover.
Bennett Harris, LI-based fingerstyle blues and ragtime guitarist, Jesse’s Roadhouse BBQ,
Colin Hay, Australian singer-songwriter & guitarist who formerly fronted Men At Work, Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore. 8 p.m. (www.boultoncenter.com). 631-969-1101. $35.
Cathy Kreger, LI-based singer-songwriter, Mac’s Steakhouse,
CONCERT CANCELED: SONiA, a gifted Baltimore-based singer-songwriter and guitarist spreads the message of love, peace and equality through her music. Our Times Coffeehouse at the Ethical Humanist Society building, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City. 8:30 p.m. (www.ourtimescoffeehouse.org). $15.
An interview-profile piece entitled SONiA & disappear fear do the Tango, originally posted on Sept. 29, 2007, appears in the Features section and in this site’s Archives.
Saturday, 4/19
Folk Music Society of Huntington’s Hard Luck Café features Karyn Oliver (a soulful singer-songwriter of ballads & rockers and past president of the Baltimore Songwriters Association) and Marc Douglas Berardo (a Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter who paints stories with words), Congregational Church of Huntington,
Sunday, 4/20
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Songs by the Sea Free Concert Series features Larry Moser and Mary Nagin in the Fire Island Lighthouse Keepers Quarters. 3 p.m. This new series is presented by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society with support from
Wednesday, 4/23
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performers Barefoot Truth, a young folk & roots rock band from Connecticut, Deepwells Mansion, Route 25A (just west of Moriches Road intersection), St. James. 8-10 p.m. (www.acousticlongisland.com). Free.
Love in Hard Times: The Songs of Paul Simon – The Roches (sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzzy), Grizzly Bear, Ulu Dara, Josh Groban and Gillian Welch help Paul Simon revisit the quiet railway stations, urban rhythms, and immigrant dreams of some of his best loved American Tunes at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)’s Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bam.org). 718-636-4100. $45-$95.
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Thursday, 4/24
Cathy Kreger, LI-based singer-songwriter, Mac’s Steakhouse,
Phil Minissale, the finger-pickin’ good Long Island Blues Boy is now 21, Bobbique,
Friday, 4/25
Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, husband and wife folk duo from upstate
Nick Katzman, Native New York blues and ragtime guitarist, who recorded for Kicking Mule Records in the 1980s and now resides in Germany, performs as part of the Traveling Troubadours series for The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bsec.org). 718-768-2972. $15; $6 for kids.
Love in Hard Times: The Songs of Paul Simon (see 4/23).
Phil Minissale, the finger-pickin’ good Long Island Blues Boy is now 21, The Spoon Coffeehouse, 27A
Saturday, 4/26
Local artists Steve Robinson and Doug Kwartler are this month’s featured performers in The Song Box house concert series held at a private residence in Seaford. 8 p.m. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. To reserve and obtain directions, send an e-mail to songbox@optonlinenet or call 516-579-5365. $10 suggested donation + food or beverage for the pot-luck buffet during the break.
Love in Hard Times: The Songs of Paul Simon (see 4/23).
Railroad Earth, bluegrass-inspired jam band, Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC),
Cheryl Wheeler, an engaging, talented and very funny singer-songwriter (accompanied by Kenny White on piano), Last Licks Café, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of
Sunday, 4/27
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
Love in Hard Times: The Songs of Paul Simon (see 4/23)
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Sunday Street Acoustic Series at the University Café features singer-songwriter Jack Williams, Stony Brook Union building,
Wednesday, 4/30
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performer Jesse Ruben,
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Coming up in May …
Thursday, 5/1
Rorie Kelly, John-Flor & Friends, local singer-songwriters perform Live in the Lobby at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts,
Old Time Jam with Zot’s Dream (jug music featuring banjos, washboard, washtub bass, tin-can drums, etc), Freddy’s
Friday, 5/2
Island Songwriters Showcase, Border’s Books, Jericho Turnpike, Syosset. 8 p.m. Featured performer followed by an open mic. Those wishing to perform must sign up at 7:30 p.m. (www.islandsongwriters.org).
NA Folk band presents an evening of Hungarian folk music at The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bsec.org). 718-768-2972. $10; $6 for kids.
Peacesmiths Topical, A-Typical, Folk Music, Poetry and Whatever Coffeehouse feaures choir Harmonic Insurgence plus open time, First United Methodist Church, 25 Boadway/Route 110 (southernmost end near Merrick Road/Montauk Highway), Amityville. 8 p.m. (www.peacesmiths.org). 631-798-0778. $7 suggested donation.
Siobahn Quinn and Michael Bowers, acoustic duo, The Garden Stage at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau, 223 Stewart Avenue (corner of Nassau Boulevard), Garden City. 8 p.m. 516-248-8855. $15.
Saturday, May 3
Falcon Ridge Preview Tour concert features four artists chosen by Falcon Ridge Folk Festival attendees last year as their “Most Wanted” to return emerging artists – Joe Crookston (a gifted singer-songwriter from Ithaca), Anthony da Costa (prolific and talented 17 year-old singer-songwriter from Pleasantville, NY who was a winner in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition last year), Lindsay Mac (a young and talented Boston area singer-songwriter and cellist) and Randall Williams (a conservatory-trained singer-songwriter and captivating guitarist). Folk Music Society of Huntington’s First Saturdays Series, Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Drive (just off Route 25A), Centerport. 8:30 p.m. concert is preceded by an hour-long open mic at 7:30 p.m. (www.fmshny.org). 631-425-2925. $20; $15 for FMSH members.
Randall Williams, who is partial to the use of partial capos in standard and alternate tunings (Indeed, he wrote the book on them) also conducts a two-hour Partial Capo Techniques Workshop for guitarists of all levels from 4-6 p.m.The workshop, which costs $25 in advance or $30 at the door (if slots are still available), will include an interactive presentation, followed by practice time and one-on-one coaching. Mail checks payable to Folk Music Society of Huntington to
Miller’s Crossing, LI-based bluegrass band, Fadeley’s Deli Pub,
Sunday, May 4
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
The Folk Music Society of Huntington presents its monthly folk jam & sing along for singers and instrumentalists at the Huntington Public Library,
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Songs by the Sea Free Concert Series features John Corr, a singer of shanties, in the Fire Island Lighthouse Keepers Quarters. 3 p.m. This new series is presented by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society with support from
Sunday Street Acoustic Series at the University Café features Canadian singer-songwriter Garnet Rogers, Stony Brook Union building,
Tuesday, 5/6
Buddy Merriam & Back Roads, LI bluegrass stalwarts, Checkmate Inn,
Wednesday, 5/7
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by a featured performer TBA,
Open Mic, Cool Beanz,
Open Mic, The Cup,
Open Mic, Life Café,
Open Mic, Spike Hill,
Thursday, May 8
Beacoup Blue, a Philadelphia-based father and son acoustic blues and roots duo whose rousing performances have evoked well-deserved standing ovations on LI previously, is featured during this month’s Babylon Village Arts Council 2nd Thursday Concert at Astoria Federal Savings Bank, 180 West Main Street, Babylon. 7:30 p.m. 631-669-1810. Free admission and refreshments.
Friday, May 9
PeaceSmiths Topical, A-Typical, Folk Music, Poetry and Whatever Coffeehouse features choir Harmonic Insurgence + open time, First United Methodist Church,25 Broadway/Route 110 (southernmost end near Merrick Road/Montuak Highway), Amityville. 8 p.m. (www.peacesmiths.org). 631-798-0778. $7 suggested donation (half for kids).
James Reams & the Barnstormers present an evening of bluegrass at The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. (www.bsec.org). 718-768-2972. $10; $6 for kids.
Saturday, May 10
Arlo Guthrie Solo
Michael Johnathon, folksinger-songwriter and host of the syndicated “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour,” performs for The Eclectic Café at the Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk,
Sunday, 5/11
Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Brooklyn Lyceum,
Ponkiesburg Pickin’ Party, weekly traditional acoustic music jam, Kili,
Wednesday, 5/14
Acoustic Long Island hour-long open mic followed by a 45-minute set by featured performers TBA,
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