Fall 2011 – Spring 2012 Schedule

Back in 1967 Scott Ainslie heard bluesman John Jackson play at a concert in Washington, DC, and it affected the rest of his life! For the next forty years Scott has studied and played traditional music, visiting senior musicians who played America’s old-time banjo and fiddle music, blues and gospel. From his home in Vermont, he has taken his passion for the music and its history from presentations at local schools to concerts at the Kennedy Center, from intimate stages to the Empire Music Hall in Belfast, Ireland.  We are proud to have Scott back on the Down East FolkArts Society calendar.  For those of you who didn’t see Scott before, be sure not to miss this performance.  Scott brings a beguiling mix of the African and American roots of the blues, with stories and songs that leave the listener slyly better educated and fully entertained.

Friday, October 21, Trent River Coffee Company, New Bern

 Saturday, October 22, Clawson’s Restaurant, Beaufort

Piephoff and Sawyer www.scottsawyer.net/bruce&scott.html

In concert:  Bruce Piephoff and Scott Sawyer

Bruce and Scott first met around 1975 in Greensboro, NC and had performed together in a few venues, but their lives took different paths. Bruce has recorded 20 albums of original music as well as 2 volumes of poetry, and has performed with Gregg Allman, Hot Tuna, and many others along the way. Scott’s early career focused on jazz and improvisational music, working with artists such as singer Nneena Freelon and playing venues all over the world. Since the mid-90’s, Sawyer has enjoyed revisiting his blues and rock roots while continuing to explore jazz traditions. In 2009 the two old friends reunited for a concert, and the enthusiastic audience response convinced them to plan more events. We are fortunate to have these talented artists together, and visiting eastern NC for the first time.

Friday, April 13, Trent River Coffee Company, New Bern

 Saturday, April 14, Clawson’s Restaurant, Beaufort

In concert:  Tumbledown House

Often described as gritty “saloon jazz”, (or sometimes as Tom Waits in a cocktail dress) this duo – Tumbledown House - from Bozeman, MT writes tales about shady characters, eccentric brothel clientele, or a scorned woman out for revenge. These stories are delivered with sultry female vocals reminiscent of a bygone era placed over a jazz guitar accompaniment. Somewhere between the sights and sounds of Deadwood, SD and a 1920’s cabaret, Tumbledown House has created a modern speakeasy sound all their own.  What a fun pair of shows this will be!

Mark your calendars now for all of the great concerts coming up from September 2011 to May 2012.   The same exciting and high quality of folk performances you’re used to is on tap for what promises to be an outstanding concert series in Eastern North Carolina this coming season.

General admission $15, Active duty military and Down East FolkArts Society Members , $12, Full-Time Students $8.

Doors open at 7:00 pm, performances start at 8:00 pm.

Media sponsorship provided by Public Radio East

Fri., Sep. 16, Trent River Coffee Company, New Bern  

 Saturday, September 17, Clawson’s Restaurant, Beaufort

www.cattailmusic.com

  Tumbledown House

www.tumbledownhouse.com

Trent River Coffee Co.  

208 Craven Street, New Bern

Clawson's Restaurant

425 Front Street, Beaufort

In concert:  Chuck Pyle

Sometimes referred to as “The Zen Cowboy”, Chuck Pyle mixes infectiously hummable melodies with straight-from-the-saddle poetry, quoting bumper stickers, proverbs, world leaders and old cowboys. An accomplished songwriter, Chuck's songs have been recorded by John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Suzy Bogguss. Admired as a sly humorist and an innovative guitarist, Chuck’s finger-style guitar has earned him a reputation as a true original. This long and lanky tunester brings the land of cactus and sage to the east coast of NC - part cowboy, part new-age, totally unforgettable.

In concert:  Molly Andrews

Born the granddaughter of a coal miner in Bluefield, WV, with roots leading back to Ashe County in the Appalachians of North Carolina, Molly Andrews is a quintessential roots performer. Her versatility takes her from traditional acapella to interpretive songs with a multi-instrumental flair. The mountain sounds of dulcimer, banjo and guitar take the audience down rural backroads with songs both spiritual and down-to earth. Come hear Molly Andrews for a taste of the distant past wrapped with a distinctly modern flavor.

In concert:  Melissa Greener

It’s been a long and winding road that brings Melissa Greener to eastern NC. Her love of music became evident when she got her first guitar at age 9, and by high school she was performing at talent shows. However, wanderlust and lost loves sidetracked her music career as Greener spent time in Canada and explored teaching in China. Upon her return, she found nothing but closed doors in Nashville so she headed for Austin, Texas where her talent was applauded and nourished. Blessed with a glorious, outsized, and utterly distinctive voice, Greener is also an accomplished guitarist whose powerful acoustic flat-picking is rooted in blues and folk. Combine that with a songwriting skill that is poetry for the heart and an outstanding stage presence - Melissa Greener is the total package!

Friday, March 16, Trent River Coffee Company   

 Saturday, March 17, Clawson’s Restaurant

In concert:  Still on the Hill

Seemingly oblivious to the limitations of what two musicians can create, Still on the Hill has set new boundaries of originality. This duo uses traditional instruments from their home in the Ozarks (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, and guitar) as well as other exotic instruments (Moon guitar from Japan, African mbira, tenor ukulele) to create a kaleidoscope of musical color and texture. Donna Stjerna began playing fiddle with her dad at age 12, and began touring the country with him in her early teens. Kelly Mulhollan is a veteran of many bands playing everything from rock to bluegrass to jazz. When they met in a recording studio, the heart of Still on the Hill was born. Like musical white lightning, Still on the Hill will offer you shots of their unique “folkgrass” that just leave you wanting more!

Chuck Pyle

www.chuckpyle.com

Friday, November 11, Trent River Coffee Company, New Bern

 Saturday, November 12, Clawson’s Restaurant, Beaufort

Friday, January 13, Trent River Coffee Company  

 Saturday, January 14, Clawson’s Restaurant  

Melissa Greener

www.melissagreener.com

Friday, February 10, Trent River Coffee Company  

 Saturday, February 11, Clawson’s Restaurant  

Molly Andrews

www.reverbnation.com/mollyandrews

Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan

www.stillonthehill.com

Don’t miss this fantastic season opener!

In concert:  Scott Ainslie

In concert:  Joel Mabus      

Joel Mabus is a maverick in the folk world. He defies any easy pigeonhole. By turns, he picks a mountain banjo to accompany an ancient ballad, sings a witty tune about modern life, plays a sweet Irish melody on guitar, swings a hot jazz number, then reaches deep for a soulful expression of values in a troubled world. Above all, you have fun at Joel’s performances.  One fan has said, “It’s music from the heart that hits you right between the eyes!” A mainstay on the folk circuit for the past 30 years, Joel has 20 albums to his credit and keeps fans coming back for more.  We are pleased to have Joel once again on the Down East FolkArt Society’s concert schedule.  This will be a season closing to keep us all looking forward to the next season!

Friday, May 18, Trent River Coffee Company, New Bern

 Saturday, May 19, Clawson’s Restaurant, Beaufort

Scott Ainslie

And finally, to close the season in high style…

Joel Mabus

www.joelmabus.com