Lowell Folk Festival loses NEA funding, shares a "Call to Action"

On Friday evening, the National Endowment for the Arts informed us that they are withdrawing their $20,000 grant in support of this summer’s Lowell Folk Festival. While federal support is never guaranteed, this unexpected loss is a serious wake-up call, and a reminder of how fragile arts funding can be.

Lowell Folk Festival loses NEA funding

The NEA has been a valued partner for many years, and this change, while not unique to us, comes just as the cost of producing the festival continues to rise sharply. We remain committed to presenting the 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival as planned—free and open to all, and filled with the music, traditions, and community spirit that brings so many people together year after year.

Read the statement at our blog. Every gift counts, especially yours. Help us keep the music going. Donate today!

👉 https://lowellfolkfestival.org/pages/donate

With Gratitude,

Arthur Sutcliffe – Board Chairman

Lee Viliesis – Executive Director

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Editor's note: I will be contributing to this effort. The Folk Festival is a great experience. I have been fortunate to take advantage of the stage at Boarding House Park for many years and enjoyed the varity of entertainment.

Lowell Folk Festival starts revealing their performer lineup for 2025

2025 THE LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST GROUP OF PERFORMERS!

Cajun Legend BeauSoleil, Irish Favorites Solas, Blues Rockers Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, and Bhangra Sensation Red Baraat among the artists set to play this free multi-stage festival July 25-27.

The 2025 Lowell Folk Festival has announced the first group of artists scheduled to perform at one of America’s most popular free summer events. With folk music traditions that span the globe, world-class musicians will bring the world to Downtown Lowell July 25-27 on stages throughout the Mill City.

Lowell Folk Festival

“The Lowell Folk Festival has celebrated the extraordinary spectrum of folk music from around the world for nearly 40 years,” said Art Sutcliffe, Chairman of the Lowell Festival Foundation. “Musicians from Louisiana to Ireland, Colombia to Chicago, Spain to Quebec, and more will share traditions on multiple stages throughout downtown Lowell.”

Featured Performers

• BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet – celebrating their 50th anniversary with Louisiana’s irresistible Cajun music
• Cécilia – bringing Québécois and Celtic music from Eastern Canada
• Crooked Road Revival – honoring Virginia’s Crooked Road with bluegrass, old-time, and gospel
• Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials – classic Chicago blues and house-rockin' energy
• LOS RICOS featuring Sonia & Ismael – intimate, graceful, powerful flamenco traditions
• Red Baraat – a huge brass band sound fusing South Asian, Bollywood, jazz, and hip hop
• Solas – a force in the Irish music scene since debuting at the 1994 Lowell Folk Festival
• Yeison Landero – carrying the legacy of Andrés Landero, king of Colombian cumbia

Check out the lineup with more to be announced at https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

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Reminder: Joe Crookston Scheduled to Perform at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - Mar 8, 2025

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin is thrilled to welcome Joe Crookston back on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 PM. 

Joe is a force of nature on stage. Pure magic. He’s in his power and communes with his audience. He’ll surprise you. He awakens the cynics. His rhythm is infectious. In concert, he is funny as hell one moment and transcendent the next. Whether he’s weaving through lap slide songs or fiddling an American Southern tune, he’ll draw you in.

Joe Crookston March 8 

Joe has toured with Gordon Lightfoot, headlined major US festivals, and received a Folk Alliance International “Album of the Year" award. He’s played with Suzanne Vega, Dar Williams, David Francey, John McCutcheon, John Gorka, Judy Collins and 100’s more. Please join us at this outstanding show. https://www.joecrookston.com/

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 7:30 PM; doors open at 7:00 PM. 

Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Admission is $25.  

Please  visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Upcoming Shows

• Apr 5  The Kennedys
• May 17 John Gorka

Peter Mulvey at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Jan 11, 2025

Peter Mulvey is an incredibly gifted songwriter and singer, an extremely entertaining storyteller, and a guitar wizard. He is returning to The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse stage in Franklin on Saturday, January 11th at 7:30PM. He has developed a strong national following in the indie folk/rock scene through his relentless touring and critically acclaimed albums.  

Peter Mulvey at Circle of Friends 

Twenty-odd years on the road, performing songs from his own catalog and from a vast, varied, and deep well of classic and obscure covers has prepared Mulvey to deliver an outstanding concert. Night after night, the process of divining the heart of a song, being alert to where the moment can lead, has shaped him as an artist. To each rendition, he brings the soul of a singer, a light touch in a heavy world.  http://www.petermulvey.com/

  Jenna Nicholls will be Peter's special guest. In a tapestry of sound, Jenna Nicholls weaves a spell as her melodies carry the weight of memory and the promise of tomorrow. With three albums under her belt, her songs have found their way into the heart of cinema and the pulse of television. 

From the storied stages of Carnegie Hall and the Beacon Theatre, Jenna's music echoes through the night, a testament to the enduring power of song.

https://jennanicholls.com/

For tickets -> https://www.circlefolk.org/schedule/petermulvey

Lowell Folk Festival brings a wide variety of folk music from around the world to Lowell, oh and for FREE!

via the Lowell Folk Festival

2024 Lowell Folk Festival Announces Full Performance Schedule - Music, Food, and Crafts From Around the World Showcased Throughout Lowell, MA  July 26-28 #lowellfolk 

LEARN MORE: https://t.co/kmTYf6WgMD  or ->   https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

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Circle of Friends CoffeeHouse: Joe Jencks, January 13, 8:00 PM

Joe Jencks January 13,  8:00 PM -  $25   Joe Jencks is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist, known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Having penned several #1 Folk-songs including the ever relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks has become a fan favorite throughout North America and a Circle of Friends favorite as well. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Tickets for this show are $25. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please visit https://circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information   Upcoming Shows The Nields, Matt Nakoa, Garnet Rogers and Susan Werner!

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Seth Glier will perform at the Circle Of Friends Coffeehouse, November 18, 8:00 PM

Seth Glier Seth Glier, November 18th, , 8:00 PM View this email in your browser

Seth Glier November 18, 8:00 PM  -> $20   Seth Glier returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, November 18th. He is a seasoned troubadour, a singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who averages over 250 live performances annually.  He's shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Edwin McCain, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams, and has quickly become known for his passionate live sets and powerful command of both piano and guitar.  His new album "Everything" is a collection of eight songs inviting us to imagine a future in which humans and the planet are re-aligned into mutual restoration. The album is an acknowledgement of the sacred connections that exist between all living things and is an active questioning of what might be possible collectively. Everything is a reminder that the future is something we always have an influence over. "Grammy-nominated musician Seth Glier continues to gain momentum" – Paste Magazine "Singer with an exquisite tenor echoes Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel." – USA TODAY -------------------------

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit https://circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows

Ellis Paul, Joe Jenks, The Nields, Matt Nakoa and more! Circle Of Friends Coffeehouse

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Lowell Folk Festival scheduled for July 28-30 - a great free event

Lowell Folk Fest (@LowellFolkFest) tweeted on Sat, Jul 22, 2023:

"Here's a schedule. 

Save it for a handy reference! Lowell Folk Festival July 28-30. #lowellfolk https://t.co/7yqRjfOy3r"

Visit the Festival page for additional info -> https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

My favorite way to spend a Saturday is to find a spot at Boarding House Park and enjoy the variety of music from noon to 6 PM.

Lowell Folk Festival scheduled for July 28-30 - a great free event

John Gorka returns to Circle of Friends Coffeehouse to perform April 29

John Gorka returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Sat, April 29

John Gorka returns to COF April 29th View this email in your browser JOHN GORKA April 29 -  8 PM $30 This show will sell out! Called "the pre-eminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk movement" by Rolling Stone, John Gorka possesses a commandingly beautiful baritone voice. His articulate guitar playing compliments his superb lyrics on songs that are romantic, cosmic, poetic, haunting in their imagery, or hilarious. Many well known artists have recorded and/or performed his songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O'Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN.  http://johngorka.com/   "Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs." -The Boston Globe Please be aware that John requires that all audience members be masked during the performance. Masks will be available at the door. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows TBA

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

SheGrooves scheduled to perform at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - April 1

Fabulous six piece female band

SheGrooves band April 1 View this email in your browser SheGrooves April 1 - 8 PM FREE! Using our Voices for Positive Change: A Celebration of Empowered Female Musicians! SheGrooves is Boston's premiere female contemporary band. Groove-based, Neo-Soul and fierce, this group of Berklee College of Music women aims to represent modern female musicians.  This family-friendly public event will explore how women historically have used their voices for positive change within the world. SheGrooves repertoire currently includes original tunes as well as unique covers of Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, as well as jazz greats, Nancy Wilson and Dianne Reeves. We aim to inspire and empower communities to celebrate, elevate and respect the female voice. This is a FREE show thanks to grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, but please email coftix@gmail.com to reserve seats. Thanks. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/  for more information. Upcoming Shows Apr 29     John Gorka

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Tracy Grammer now with Jim Henry Saturday, Feb 25 at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

The fabulous Jim Henry will be joining tracy Grammer this Saturday, Feb 25

Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry February 25 View this email in your browser Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry with Hana Zara February 25 -  8 PM - $25 We just learned that Jim Henry will be joining Tracy Grammer on stage this Saturday, February 25th at 8PM.  A great show will be even better.   http://tracygrammer.com/ Hana Zara will open the show. She is a songwriter based in Shelburne Falls Massachusetts. Her songs have been featured on folk radio worldwide. She won first place in the Vermont Songwriting Competition and has toured the United States and Europe.  https://hanazaramusic.bandcamp.com/ The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Apr 1       SheGrooves Apr 29     John Gorka

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA