Trio: Kallet, Epstein, and Cicone
Friday July 21 at 7:30 pm
Cindy Kallet, Ellen Epstein, and Michael Cicone have performed together in concerts, coffeehouses, and festivals throughout New England since 1981.  Their close harmonies have inspired enthusiastic responses from audiences and critics alike. The trio sings both a cappella and accompanied by guitar and hammered dulcimer, drawing material from contemporary and traditional music of the British Isles and North America, with a liberal sprinkling of sea music and occasional forays into other cultures as well.
"Kallet, Epstein, and Cicone may be the best-kept secret in the New England Folk Scene. Their harmonies are throaty, lush and elegant... They did most of their folk-sweet set acapella . . . a bold move beautifully obscured by the richness of their harmonies and the inviting lilt of their melodies. Their set was warm, winningly paced, and thoroughly lovely."~ Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
Tickets $15
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Lissa Schneckenburger Trio
Friday July 14 at 8 pm
New England fiddler and folk singer Lissa Schneckenburger grew up in Maine and has
explored music throughout her life, leading to her graduation from The New England Conservatory of Music in 2001. Her mentors include Greg Boardman, Alasdair Fraser, David Kaynor, and Hankus Netsky.
 While embracing a diverse pallet of musical influences, she still stays true to her New England roots.
Lissa’s newest release, on her own label Footprint Records (Feb 2005), shows just that. It’s a rich and cohesive mix of traditional and original material brought together by the warm tones of her fiddle and sweet vocals throughout.
Lissa has played all over the world as a fiddler and vocalist. She has opened for artists such as Alasdair Fraser, Richard Thompson, Karen Casey, Kate Campbell, and Judy Collins. She has been featured in countless radio broadcasts including “Bound For Glory”, and annual features on Maine Public Radio’s “Live at 11”. Her television appearances include the PBS specials “A Taste of Chanukah” and “A Taste of Passover” filmed in New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall.
Lissa's trio adds Corey DiMario on bass and guitarist John Cote. The boys provide rock solid back up and let Lissa go to town on all her favourite fiddle tunes.
"Her talent lies in crafting pendulating melodies...
innovative freewheeling arrangements..." - Dirty Linen
Tickets $15
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Karen Savoca with Pete Heitzman
Friday July 7 at 8 pm
Karen Savoca puts her heart into a song the way a great actor throws herself into a role. Her supple, soulful alto charms with an infinite range of expression.  She can even sing several notes at once, her own brand of throat singing she calls vocal hydroplaning.
Savoca is also a gifted songwriter, drawing you into her world with humor and compassion, telling her stories with such grace and ease, you feel as though you've been invited to her table for supper.
Pete Heitzman can make his guitar sound like a cello, a pedal steel, a rutting elk, and some things only imagined. With this broad pallet of tones and textures he paints the ideal landscapes for Savoca's songs. An innovative and sensitive acccompanist, Heitzman is so full of surprises that he has been called “a human aurora borealis”.
Savoca’s sixth solo release, In The Dirt (2006), was captured in a two day session with Heitzman and longtime collaborator, T-Bone Wolk (Shawn Colvin, Elvis Costello, Hall & Oates).
Proceeds from the show will benefit the Friends of Unity Wetlands, a membership-supported conservation association working to protect the wild and working landscape of the 42,000-acre Unity Wetlands in Central Maine.
Tickets $15
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Gráda
Friday June 9 at 7:30 pm
Irish music with “enough steam in its heels to leave most of its peers at the starting blocks”...The Irish Times.  The blending of Comtempory music styles, modern songs, and traditional Irish, with other forms of ethnic music, into their own natural style, is what sets this five member band apart. With the 2005 Compass Records release of “The Landing Step”, relative newcomers to US touring, Grada, won’t have to take too long to work up a full head of that steam...
Gráda are based in Dublin, Ireland, where they began playing together in 2001.
The group draws from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (ex Frames drummer, now working a lot with Josh Ritter); Vyviene Long (cellist with Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Further additions have included Dublin based trumpeter Bill Blackmore, and Danish percussionist exrtaordinaire, Rasmus Skovmund.
Tickets $15
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Girlyman
Friday May 26 at 8 pm
Imagine a modern-day Peter, Paul & Mary – that kind of tight 3 part harmony - only edgier, and with a quirky sense of humor - and some Indigo Girls style arrangements. Girlyman’s harmony-driven style veers from contemporary folk to country rock to pop, but always those amazing harmonies...
In 2004 Girlyman released its debut CD Remember Who I Am on Amy Ray’s indie imprint Daemon Records. Since then the band has appeared on internationally syndicated radio shows like Mountain Stage and has performed at major folk festivals, including the Boston Folk Festival, and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Over the past year the band has toured nationally with the Indigo Girls, and last November they completed a nine-week run with Dar Williams. In May 2005 Daemon Records released Girlyman’s second CD, Little Star.
“Really good, really unexpected, and really different.”
– The Village Voice
Tickets $15
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Michael Gulezian
Friday May 19 at 7:30 pm
Boundary-free, horizon-expanding, genre-bending, transcendent, soulful, kickass, mind-opening, exquisitely gorgeous instrumental solo acoustic guitar. Michael Gulezian (gu-LAY-ze-in) continues to amaze fellow musicians as well as audiences new to the art of solo acoustic guitar. Music Web Express raves, “With the release of Language of the Flame, Gulezian takes his place among the great acoustic guitar innovators of the 20th Century.” And Acoustic Guitar Magazine sums it all up: “for all his virtuosic ferocity, Michael never loses sight of the melody, or the drama of his compositions. And he can still play sweetly.
"If I could play guitar the way Michael Gulezian does, I would just sit in front of a mirror and watch myself do it." - Garrison Keillor, on A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION
"I wish there was a video component to what we do because Michael positively dances with the guitar, if one can do that sitting down. ... incredible spiritual relationship with his instrument. A great discovery." - David Dye, WORLD CAFE.
$15
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Jim Weider's ProJECT PERCoLAToR
Friday May 5 at 8 pm
Jim Weider, a master of classic telecaster guitar, is renowned for his rock and blues-based signature sound. He is among a select group of musicians with an endorsement from Fender and,
for the past three decades, he's earned enormous respect from fellow musicians and music fans throughout the world.
Born and raised in the famed arts colony of Woodstock, NY, Jim received great acclaim during his long tenure (1985-2000) as lead guitarist (replacing Robbie Robertson) for Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Band. During 15 years of international touring with original members Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko, Jim was featured on numerous albums, films, videos and television appearances.
PERCoLAToR represents Jim's newest musical venture into a powerful
groove & atmospheric guitar driven band. Jim blends rock&blues with funk & jazz grooves, combining modern drum loops and samples with playing beautiful melodic
ballads.
This ProJECT PERCoLAToR performance features Jim Weider on guitar, Mitch Stein on guitar, Randy Ciarlante on drums, and Ron Jenkins on bass. They will be performing the new CD "Percolator" and more!
Tickets $15
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Eliza Gilkyson
Friday April 7 at 7:30 pm
In 2004 Eliza released Land of Milk and Honey, an album that was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album. The CD is decidedly socio/political in nature, from the Iraq War awareness plea, "Hiway 9," to the call for peace in Woody Guthrie's previously unrecorded and timely peace anthem, "Peace Call."
August of 2005, brings Gilkyson’s most personal album to date, Paradise Hotel, featuring songs that artfully reveal the roots of her progressive patriotism, comment on the direction our world is headed and peal back the thin layers obscuring the heart of what matters in these complex times. Eliza has recently appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, Austin City Limits and on tour with Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Tickets $17
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The Crooked Jades with the Hunger Mountain Boys
Sunday March 26 at 7:30 pm
Americana roots band The Crooked Jades are on a mission to reinvent old-time music, pushing boundaries and blurring categories with their fiery, soulful performances. Unpredictable and passionate, they bring their driving dance tunes and haunting ballads to rock clubs, festivals, traditional folk venues and concert halls across America and Europe.
The Crooked Jades play material ranging from soulful old-time ballads and rocking string-band dance music to beautiful traditionally-inspired original compositions. Staying true to the spirit of old-time and respecting its tradition, The Crooked Jades creative arrangements, high-lonesome bluegrass harmonies, and expanded instrumentation add the element of the unexpected and make the music their own.
Innovative pickers with equal parts attitude and respect, The Crooked Jades have critics comparing them to everyone from the New Lost City Ramblers and The Pogues to Gillian Welch and The Handsome Family. The Crooked Jades are Jeff Kazor (guitar/vocals), Jennie Benford of Jim & Jennie & The Pinetops (mandolin/guitar/vocals), Adam Tanner (fiddle/vocals), Erik Pearson (banjos/slide guitar/vocals) and Megan Adie (bass/vocals).
Opening for the Crooked Jades will be the Hunger Mountain Boys whose duet show, like no other on the touring scene today, is is the tradition and spirit of the classic country duets of the 1930's, 40's, and 50's,
Tickets $15
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Old School Freight Train
Friday March 17 at 8 pm
This young Charlottesville, VA based group starts out with bluegrass, blends in jazz, Celtic, and pop, and pushes the envelope from there.
Formed in 2000, 
OSFT released their first self-titled record in 2002. The Independent Music Awards picked up on their compelling sound and chose them as finalists for best bluegrass album of the year. With an increase in touring after the release of this record, the band began to establish their identity within the acoustic music world.
Mandolin master David Grisman heard their music in the fall of 2004 and invited the band to record at his Dawg Studios in Northern California where he produced Run, OSFT's dynamic second CD and their first for Acoustic Disc, Grisman's acclaimed independent label.
OSFT is banjoist Ben Krakauer, mandolinist Pete Frostic, vocalist and guitarist Jesse Harper, bassist Darrell Muller, and fiddler Nate Leath.
Tickets $15
The Fenians
Saturday March 11 at 7:30 pm
An electrifying Irish musical quintet based out of California, the lads offer a mix of their original creations, and contemporary and traditional songs.
Their foundation is decidedly Celtic, but there is no mistaking the complimentary influences of Rock, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, and World music.
If ever there was a band whose members make up a potent body of music, it is The Fenians. Terry Casey - lead vocals and mandolin - the heart, Kenny Cosca - bass, vocals - the pulse, David Burnett - whistles, sax, flute - the soul, Chris Pierce - drums, vocals - the bones, and Rob Williams - vocals, guitar - the muscle, through their music and voices represent everyman - sweet and sorrowful; brave and beautiful; angry and amused.
Tickets $15
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Emma's Revolution
Thursday March 2 at 7:30 pm
"The epitome of great, contemporary political music" -- Sing Out. A musical uprising of truth and hope from award-winning, activist songwriters, Pat Humphries & Sandy O. Featured on NPR , "Democracy Now!" and winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Grand Prize, their songs are sung around the world.
Pat's much acclaimed anthems, "Keep on Moving Forward (Never Turning Back)," "Common Thread," and "Swimming to the Other Side," are sung at peace and justice events around the world and have been translated into 7 languages. The U.N. Fourth Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, opened with "Keep on Moving Forward"
This performance is sponsored by the Women's Environmental Leadership Program(WE Lead) of Unity College. Come early for a catered reception to honor this year's Environmental Leader award winners.
Tickets $15
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Zoe Speaks
Saturday February 25 at 7:30 pm
The duo Zoe Speaks consists of Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover, who jump in and out of their east Kentucky vernacular to play everything from traditional ballads to guitar-thumping contemporary acoustic tunes. Their music is drenched in the sounds of the Appalachian music they were raised with, but they draw from other influences and do not try to hold the music static and unchanging. Whether they’re playing as a duo or jamming with the band, vocal harmonies are a defining feature of their sound. Their relaxed performance style and accessible attitude allow audiences to feel as if they are getting to know Mitch and Carla. They accompany themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, and dulcimer. The two have won a variety of songwriting awards including the Kerrville NewFolk Award.
Tickets $15
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Lura
Wednesday February 15 at 7:30 pm
Hailing from the island of Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, Lura blends rhythms of her native land with soul, jazz, and R & B.  Sometimes describesd as a cross between Cesaria Evora and Anjeliqe Kidjo, Lura is part of a new generation of musicians rediscovering the hidden traditions of her ancestral homeland. Her music is inspired by the styles of Santiago—the most African of the islands, and the island from which her father came; styles such as batuku and funana.
The African musical traditions of Cape Verde are still emerging now because the nation only gained independence in 1975, and prior to that the Church and the colonial government prohibited certain forms.
Lura's five member band provides the background of delicious percussion that will have you swaying in your seat.
Tickets $15
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Anni Clark
Saturday January 28 at 7:30 pm
With thousands of gigs and miles, and six solo albums under her belt, this Maine native's passion for communication through music continues to build a widespread and loyal audience. Her infectious style might be described as "original folk, pop, & blues with a dash of Maine hume-ah".
In 2003, Anni won BOTH "Female Artist of the Year" and "Folk Artist of the Year" in Jam Music Magazine's Readers' Pix Awards! With glowing reviews and steady airplay to support her, she toured nonstop with the release of her CD, Big Water. Baltimore's Dirty Linen Magazine wrote that "Anni Clark takes major steps with her fifth solo album… she leads the way to a metaphorical exploration of the natural world. 'Forever Free' is one of the strongest songs written about the events of 9/11."
Festival appearances include The Boston Folk Festival, The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale NY, and the Kerrville TX Wine and Music Festival.
She has shared stages from Maine to Texas with the likes of Shawn Colvin, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Leo Kottke, and Cheryl Wheeler.
Net proceeds from this special benefit concert will go toward signs and building materials for the Unity Trails System.
Tickets $15
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John Jorgenson Quintet
Thursday January 26 at 7:30 pm
The John Jorgenson Quintet features guitarist John Jorgenson, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and six-year member of Elton John's band. Artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson's guitar work. 
John Jorgenson is so closely associated with the music of Django Reinhardt that he was tapped to play the role of the Gypsy jazz master in the film Head in the Clouds.
But on Franco-American Swing, his 2004 release, it isn't Jorgenson's external resemblance to his musical hero that's on display, it's his heart. Rather than simply covering Reinhardt tunes, Jorgenson penned 11 wonderfully inspired originals in the Gypsy-jazz style, some of which include luscious string arrangements by Don Hart, and most of which swing like crazy.
Tickets $18
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Lucy Vincent Band
Friday January 6 at 7:30 pm
Lucy Vincent formed by luck in the summer of 2005 when three island boys got together for a chill jam session. What came out was an undeniably delicious blend of catchy guitar riffs, thoughtful lyrics, bouncy drums beats and a totally original sound. Lucy Vincent is Feel Good music from the island of Martha's Vineyard...holla.
Lucy Vincent is Kelly Ravin on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Jordan Lee Berger on Bass and Backing vocals and Matt Rosenthal on Drums and Percussion.
The group has just finished recording their first full length CD in Burlington, Vermont with legendary record producer Michael Poorman.
Opening for Lucy Vincent will be the Old Silver Band.
Tickets $5
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Peter Paton
35th Parallel
Flatpicking Guitar master Larry Keel is a dedicated force in preserving and creating American Mountain Music. Delivering powerful and honest performances, Keel and his dynamic Bluegrass band Natural Bridge are a breath of fresh air in the traditional Bluegrass market of today, paying their deepest and dearest respects to the forefathers of Bluegrass who laid down the laws of how it should be played and sung- with joy, and from the heart. Following the role models of such legends as the Stanley Brothers, Jim and Jesse, Flat and Scruggs, Reno and Smiley, and Bill Monroe, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge includes Larry Keel on guitar and vocals, Mark Schimick on mandolin and vocals, and Jenny Keel on bass and vocals. 
That’s when Makanda’s wife discovered 400 additional compositions that had never been recorded. Most had never even been performed in public. Pianist John Kordalewski studied and performed with this remarkable musician. He formed the nonet known as The Makanda Project to ensure Makanda’s legacy would continue to burn bright. The band is composed of several of Boston’s most renowned jazz musicians along with some of the area’s most exceptional young talent. The nonet will feature Kurtis Rivers (alto saxophone, clarinet), Salim Washington (tenor saxophone, flute, oboe), Sean Berry (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet), Charlie Kohlhase (baritone saxophone), Josiah Woodson (trumpet, flugelhorn, flute), Robert Stringer (trombone), John Lockwood (bass) and Yoron Israel (drums).
Beolach
The Vagrants
Vishten
Alex Skolnick Trio
WOMEN'S WORKS: An evening of original dance performances.
Ruthie Foster
Some of the poems are set verbatim to music, some dismantled and reassembled in significantly new renditions, others merely used as the jumping-off point for Delmhorst's own literate lyrical take. The fact that the album feels modern, cohesive, and joyful is testament both to the inherent timelessness of the poems and to the skillful adaptations that bring them to life as songs - not to mention Delmhorst's wine-deep, honey-bright voice, which can deliver even a centuries-old phrase directly to the doorstep of the listener's soul. Lush where it might have been dry, riotous where it could have been reverent, the finished product is anything but academic.
Sample a couple of these songs on