Logo: Susquehanna Folk Music Society
Presenting fine traditional arts in Central Pennsylvania since 1985

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tue, December 9 - Windborne: Music of Midwinter

Windborne: Music of Midwinter Harrisburg
The Windborne singers released “To Warm The Winter Hearth“ late last year, smashing records for crowdfunded support of a folk album. Its music is even more exquisite live: ancient songs made new and fresh, familiar favorites better than ever. This will be the third SFMS show with these charming and masterful singers, and it’ll be too good to miss. Concert on Tuesday, December 9 at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg. MORE

Sat, December 13 - December Jam & Song Swap

December Jam & Song Swap Harrisburg
NOTE DATE!   Our annual wrap-up-the-calendar jam, featuring both regular and seasonal music. 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. Saturday afternoon, December 13 at Fort Hunter Barn. MORE

Sun, January 11 - January Jam & Song Swap

January Jam & Song Swap Harrisburg
Happy New Year! Start it off with some new (or old!) songs and tunes. 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. Sunday afternoon, January 11 at Fort Hunter Barn. MORE

Sat, January 17 - Damn Tall Buildings

Damn Tall Buildings Damn Tall Buildings York
This Brooklyn-based “guerrilla roots” band repurposes early-20th-century American music for a modern audience. Appalachian, bluegrass and Americana played with a hint of blues, jazz and swing; lighthearted attitude, intelligent songwriting, infectious energy and serious musicianship. With special guest Andrew Pauls. Concert on Saturday, January 17 at UUCY. MORE

Sat, January 31 - Crys Matthews

Crys Matthews Crys Matthews Harrisburg
“She lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times,” says ASCAP VP Eric Philbrook. A troubadour of truth, Nashville resident Crys Matthews blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, complex performance of traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. With special guest Sarah Fiore. Concert on Saturday, January 31 at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg. MORE

Sat, February 21 - Winter Coffee House

Winter 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 on Saturday, February 21 at Fort Hunter Barn. MORE
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Support Folk Community!

Music is an actively communal experience: real people working together to create it and coming together to enjoy it.

Your gift builds community through music.

SusquehannaFolk.org/donate

Peter Winter Lee here, Executive Director of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. In honor of our 40th anniversary this year, I’ve been checking in with some folks to ask what SFMS means to them. Long time board member Devin Rice said “The caliber of acts that SFMS manages to book never fails to astound me! Our members and volunteers match that same level of excellence.” Acclaimed Celtic cellist Natalie Haas described SFMS as “presenting at the grassroots level with a truly human touch.”

I think those two quotes say it all! Alongside the world class music we present, we are committed to fostering the human community that creates this music. In a time where we see AI-generated musical “artists” climbing the charts,

Susquehanna Folk connects real people in a tangible, meaningful way.

Whether you joined in a jam session this year, played our open mic, sang along at a concert, became a member or volunteered, or simply read our emails, you are such a welcome and important member of our music community.

While membership is crucial to SFMS, ticket revenues and membership dues cover only about half of our operating costs. That’s why I’m asking you now to make a donation to the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. Your tax‑deductible gift helps us bring people together to make and enjoy wonderful music.

A montage of spring 2026 performers: Crys Matthews, Damn Tall Buildings, The Tannahill Weavers, and The Banjo: Torch Bearers and Trailblazers

Celebrating our 40th Anniversary season, we’re drawing near to our 625th concert!

Coming up, something for everyone: singer songwriter Crys Matthews (hailed as the “new Woody Guthrie”), rising string outfits like Damn Tall Buildings, and favorites like Scottish stalwarts the Tannahill Weavers. We are especially excited to announce the artists to be featured in our new series The Banjo: Torch Bearers and Trailblazers. These upcoming performances will look at the past, present and future of the banjo, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

I sincerely thank you for being a part of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society, and I ask that you consider a contribution to SFMS during this festive season.

SusquehannaFolk.org/donate

Regards,
Peter Winter Lee, Executive Director
Susquehanna Folk Music Society
A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization

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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.
Curtain call at a Black Opry show, with several Black artists (mostly women) celebrating.
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.
A Black man stands in the corner of a brick-walled room, playing a banjo and gazing down toward his hands.
King Jester is a young Black man, leaning against a wall as he plays a metallic resonator guitar. He wears a gray T-shirt and is looking down at the guitar.
Black Opry member King Jester is following in the footsteps of many jazz and blues greats, transitioning from a studio/touring sideman to a band leader. His multi-instrumental musical journey includes the Berklee College of Music (entering as a drummer, leaving as a bass player) and stints with Sting, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Bruce Katz, and many more. Jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln referred to King Jester as “the future of music.” [2023-2024 Concert Series]