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Presenting fine traditional arts in Central Pennsylvania since 1985

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sun, October 11 - October Jam & Song Swap

October Jam & Song Swap Harrisburg
Our first regular jam of the season. Our jam sessions are enjoyable afternoons of hands-on, homemade music. Everyone is welcome: instrumentalists and singers, musicians and listeners, all ages and levels, all acoustic folk styles. It's friendly and free. Jam on Sunday afternoon, October 11 at Fort Hunter. MORE

Fri, October 16 - Alash Ensemble

Alash Ensemble Harrisburg
Come with us on a magical musical journey to the southern edge of Siberia for an evening of Tuvan throat singing. For many folks, this concert is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this extraordinary musical tradition in person. Alash’s performance will be enchanting and unforgettable. Concert on Friday, October 16 at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg MORE

Thu, October 22 - Kalos

Kalos Lancaster
This trio is forged in the traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America, but cast and tempered in new and unexpected ways. Like the rivers and seas that inspire them, their music is turbulent, meditative, untamed, ever-changing and powerful. Concert on Thursday, October 22 at Zoetropolis. MORE

Sat, November 7 - Fall Coffee House

Fall Coffee House Harrisburg
Susquehanna Folk Coffeehouses are intimate evenings showcasing Central Pennsylvania’s fine amateur acoustic musicians, who play a wide variety of material for an attentive, music-loving audience. Interested in performing? Apply now! FREE Coffeehouse concert Saturday, November 7 at Fort Hunter. MORE

Sun, November 8 - November Jam & Song Swap

November Jam & Song Swap Harrisburg
Honor our veterans this month! Our jam sessions are enjoyable afternoons of hands-on, homemade music. Everyone is welcome: instrumentalists and singers, musicians and listeners, all ages and levels, all acoustic folk styles. It's friendly and free. Jam on Sunday afternoon, November 8 at Fort Hunter. MORE

Sat, November 21 - LaPrelle & Dolphin

LaPrelle & Dolphin Harrisburg
This married duo share a love of bright vocal harmonies, eerie traditional songs, and heartfelt originals. They will host an afternoon banjo workshop in addition to their evening concert on Saturday, November 21 at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg MORE
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Hot off the Presses!

A new show just announced... along with a FREE banjo workshop!

Elizabeth LaPrelle & Brian Dolphin
LaPrelle & Dolphin Banjo Workshop & Concert November 21 in Harrisburg

Elizabeth LaPrelle has been performing Appalachian ballads and old-time songs since she was eleven. Raised in rural Virginia, she sang American folk music with her family, soaked up mountain music at old time fiddlers’ conventions, and got noticed by master performers Ginny Hawker and Sheila Kay Adams.

Brian Dolphin is an ethnomusicologist who has studied and performed all over the world. Through his Patreon, he releases his own music and that of other under-heard singer-songwriters. He co-founded Ukrainian Village Voices in NYC, leads Philly Folk Choir, and stewards the World Around Songs songbook company.

Together this married duo enjoy performing, teaching, and singing in their car and kitchen. Grab your tickets before your holiday calendar fills up!

LaPrelle & Dolphin TICKETS & workshop RSVP

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Youth are the Future of Culture

In this Folk Artist spotlight, folklorist Amy Skillman is inspired to see young people experiencing and loving traditional music and dance.

Biplab Khatiwada sits cross-legged on the floor behind two drums, playing them with his hands. Each drum is about a foot high, one narrower and higher pitched than the other. Three larger, taller drums are off to the side.

I recently had a day that filled me with hope: seeing two teenagers pouring their hearts into traditional arts. I felt so lucky to be a folklorist working with SFMS! There are many ways for young people to engage with traditional arts in Central Pennsylvania, from Chinese calligraphy to Balkan music to Irish dance.

A young woman performs a classical Indian dance.She is crouching with her arms out in front of her as if she holds a box, and she looks worried. At left are four musicians sitting cross-legged on a low platform. The dancer's dress is magenta and orange, with a pleated skirt, and decorations on her head.

In the top photo, 16-year-old Biplab Khatiwada plays tablas, a pair of hand drums common in Nepali music. In the bottom photo, 14-year-old Nitya Nandakesan performs Bharatanatyam dance at her arangetram (debut recital). At a time of life when there’s strong pressure to conform, these two local teens are fine with being a little different: embracing their cultural heritage and making it part of their identity.

The full article explores other ways creative young people are both preserving and shaping traditional arts.

Continue reading...
See more Folk Artist Spotlights
The board and staff of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society are committed to celebrating and affirming diverse cultures through programming which explores the music, dance, craft and stories of many people. We stand in complete solidarity with the Black community and all marginalized communities to speak out against injustice, bigotry and racial violence.
A very crowded room, with people holding hands as they dance in concentric rings. They are all wearing suits and nice dresses because they are attending a wedding reception.
Crys Matthews, a young Black woman, wears a crisp white button-down men’s shirt, black tie and black suspenders. She has her thumbs underneath the suspender straps, pulling them up off her shoulders. Her curly hair is long on top and cropped close at the sides.
Closeup of a Black woman’s hands stitching small hexagons of colored calico into a flower. In her lap is a clear bag holding several finished flowers.
Two Hispanic men with dark skin pose with large Puerto Rican drums in front of a Puerto Rican flag. They wear white shirts and trousers, and white hats with black bands. They are also holding other percussion instruments, including maracas and a basketball-sized shaker covered with colorful fishnet.
Curtain call at a Black Opry show, with several Black artists (mostly women) celebrating.
Black music lovers and music makers, often overlooked and disregarded in the music business, are finding a home in Black Opry, which showcases the diversity in sound and stories that Black artists offer to country, blues, folk and Americana. SFMS is delighted to be participating in the Black Opry Revue tour, and delighted to amplify the music of these and other marginalized artists. [2023-2024 Concert Series]