Seattle Folklore Society

Saturday, February 11

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Hank Cramer

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $15
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

Hank Cramer is one of the best-loved folksingers in the Pacific Northwest. He is widely known for his booming bass voice, smooth picking on a vintage flat-top guitar, and his wry sense of humor. He has a wide repertoire of both modern and traditional songs, spanning the genres of maritime, celtic, Appalachian, maritime, cowboy, and plain old folk music. Hank has a discography of 19 albums, and has been selected to receive the Humanities Washington Award for 2011.

Joining Hank for this concert will be David Lange on piano and accordion and Mark Iler on guitar and harmonica.

This is a co-production with Northwest Seaport.

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Saturday, February 25

SFS Special event at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church

Johnson, Dermody and Miller

Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7:30PM

General Admission: $15
$2 off for SFS members and seniors, kids half price

Orville Johnson, Grant Dermody and John Miller have come together and will bring us a new recording, We Heard The Voice Of A Porkchop ... in this special Seattle Folklore Society concert. Join them at the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church.

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Saturday, March 3

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Ellis Paul

with opening act Peyton Tochterman

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $16
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

Ellis Paul: troubadour, singer/songwriter, folkie, storyteller -- all fair labels for this artist, but they don't tell the whole story. The tattoo of Woody Guthrie worn proudly on his arm is a good place to start, for Ellis hails from Woody's tradition. With an acoustic guitar in hand, he weaves intimate, provocative, and romantic tales of our lives.

The late great singer-songwriter Bill Morrissey paid Ellis perhaps the ultimate compliment, saying "… Ellis was always himself; he didn't try to separate himself from his audiences. Perhaps it's because he's a Mainer; there's no pretense, and I think audiences sense that."

Now based in Massachusetts, Ellis has often been called the quintessential Boston songwriter and has garnered the recognition and awards to back it up. Since bursting onto the scene in 1993 with his independent debut Say Something, Ellis has continued to grow as a performer and a writer. Spending two-thirds of most years on the road has helped him perfect both crafts, with a lot of practice on-stage and a lot of people whose stories he retells in song. He's been with Rounder Records since his 1994 album Stories, and has an ever-growing national following of dedicated fans.

Over the years and albums, his songs have gotten more personal. He turned the looking glass onto his own life for 1998's aptly titled Translucent Soul. In 2008 he released a CD of children’s music, Dragonfly Races, inspired by the birth of his second daughter. He's been recording consistently and prolifically over his whole career -- Ellis' most recent CD, The Day After Everything Changed, was released in 2010 and is his 14th. Peyton Tochterman, www.peytontochertman will open with a short set.

We expect this concert to sell out, so don't postpone getting your tickets. We will not be taking reservations for this show, tickets only. Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219969 or by phone 24/7 at 1-800-838-3006.

Saturday, March 10

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Red Molly

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $16
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

One year after a successful and joyful concert with the Seattle Folklore Society, Red Molly returns to the Phinney Neighborhood Center stage with music from a new, acclaimed album.

If one word describes the new Red Molly CD, Light in the Sky, that word is joyous. Once again Red Molly creates an album with gorgeous a cappella ballads, bluegrass-tinged folk and a touch of jazzy western swing, all done up in Red Molly's trademark three-part harmonies, signature dobro licks and inventive arrangements.

We met the newest Molly, that’s Molly Venter, last year, joining with original Mollys Laurie MacAllister and Abbie Gardner. The trio gets attention with their lively stage performances and of course the crystal clear vocals and sweet as sugar harmonies. They all write and share their own songs and offer unique covers, like the bass based "Fever", the bonus track on Light in the Sky.

RedHeads don’t delay. Get tickets today for this Seattle Folklore Society concert. Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com

Saturday, March 17

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Maria Dunn

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $15
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

Maria Dunn is a Canadian storyteller in song, melding North American folk and bluegrass, with country traditions and her Celtic roots. She has been described as "an arrestingly powerful singer-songwriter who writes great historical and social commentary." Born in Scotland, she moved as an infant with her family to Ontario. At ten years old, she again moved with her family, this time to Edmonton, Alberta, where she now lives.

As a child she studied classical piano, and later studied psychology at the University of Alberta. While a student there she started a folk music program on the campus radio which she continued for 12 years. Immersing herself in folk music, she began writing her own songs. Her first album, From Where I Stand, was released in 1998 and her appearance at the 2000 Stan Rogers Folk Festival brought her to the attention of an East Coast Canadian audience that embraced her Celtic sound.

A compelling performer, Maria delivers powerful songs inspired by the resilience and hope of "ordinary" people who so often demonstrate extraordinary courage. In addition to her Canadian Folk Music and Juno nominations, Maria has won other accolades, including two nominations for Prairie Music Awards in 2002 for Outstanding Roots Recording, and in 1999 for Outstanding Songwriter.

Her fourth CD, The Peddler was produced in 2008, consisting of songs that have a distinct Celtic influence. Maria says of The Peddler, "it is an exciting opportunity for me to showcase songs that I’ve written over the past few years, including jigs and reels that I’ve written into some of the songs. I’ve always loved traditional Celtic music and it’s been a joy to focus on those forms for this recording project."

Maria has performed at theatres, folk clubs and festivals across Canada and the US. Her arresting performance style instantly connects her to audiences while her lyrically rich songs, impassioned storytelling, and expressive singing captivate them and keep them coming back.

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Saturday, March 24

Saturday Nights on Phinney Ridge

Tracy Grammer

Phinney Neighborhood Center (Brick Building), 7:30PM

General Admission: $16
$2 off for SFS & PNA members and seniors, kids half price

Help Tracy celebrate the release of her long overdue new "Little Blue Egg" album.

Reserve online, or by calling 206/528-8523.

Saturday, March 31

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band

Museum of History and Industry, 7:30PM

General Admission: $18
$3 off for SFS members and seniors, kids half price

If you love American roots music, you won't want to miss the Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band. Listen to the timeless renditions of hard-driving Appalachian, Cajun and Celtic fiddle tunes, stirring Civil War classics, sassy songs from the golden age of swing and country, stunning waltzes, and deeply moving original compositions. It's immediately apparent why Jay and Molly concerts warm the heart, feed the soul, and appeal to all ages. If you love American roots music, a Jay Ungar & Molly Mason concert is a must. No wonder they continue to receive widespread critical praise.

What is it they say about the family that plays together? Well, even if they don't all live under the same roof, this family makes terrific music and has a rip-roarin' good time while they're at it. The Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band features Jay, Molly, Jay's daughter Ruth Ungar Merenda, and her husband Michael Merenda. You may know Ruth and Mike from their band, The Mammals. Ruth cut her teeth on traditional music, and grew up to be a top-flight performer. She brings fiddle, ukulele, guitar and deeply moving vocal performances to the Family Band. Mike Merenda favored rock and ska before being drawn into the world of acoustic music. He adds old-time banjo, guitar and percussion to the mix.

Four terrific musicians. Put them together and the sum really is greater than its parts. Double fiddles, sweet vocal harmonies and rhythmic energy abound as two generations collaborate to entertain you with music from the heart and soul of America.

This special Seattle Folklore Society concert will be held at the Museum of History and Industry on the Montlake cut. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com, starting on January 9, 2012.

Tickets at the door on the day of the show will cost $20.00