Doors Open Baltimore 2024
Tuesday - Saturday, Oct 1 to Oct 26, 2024
Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Please join Lambda Alpha International’s Baltimore Chapter for our September Presentation:
CFG Bank Arena
Frank Remesch, General Manager
CFG Bank Arena | Oak View Group
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Noon – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Presentation
University of Maryland BioPark
801 West Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
The Arena was originally constructed in 1962 as a cornerstone of Downtown Baltimore. Recently, the venue went through a $250M+ state-of-the-art renovation by Oak View Group. Since it’s grand reopening in April 2023, the CFG Bank Arena is now the 4th Highest Grossing Venue Worldwide.
Autumn Revival is a three day celebration of music, art, interactive learning, and most importantly - our beloved community. It is set to take place the weekend of the Autumn Equinox on a beautiful 200 acre property in Maryland.
As the sun begins to sink low in the sky and the night becomes cool and dark, our senses tell us that the energy of summer has been replaced with the balance of Autumn.
The Autumn Equinox has been celebrated for thousands of years by people across the globe to rejoice after months of hard work and to reap the rewards of the harvest. As the night overtakes the day in the Northern Hemisphere, the world is for a brief moment in perfect harmony, and as a calm begins to grow in the natural world, there is no better time to look back on the seeds planted earlier in the year both literally and figuratively.
Each changing season is a key moment in the cycle of life and within this cycle many ancient cultures perceived a powerful deeper message for humanity.
In this beautiful season that we call Autumn, may we dance around the fire together once again.
Ecstatic Dance DC is the dance-iest dance floor in all of DC.
September 21st At Zen West
GAWDS feat. Sonny Reddz w/DJ Addikt & special guest
Featuring
Down By Law
Tuggie
Ray Dio
Ullnevano
Luca
Pete the dark truth & Dj Illah
Zen West
5916 York Road
Baltimore MD 21212
All Ages Door 630PM
An intimate live performance and broadcast with singer/songwriter Pete Yorn
Ecstatic Dance DC is the dance-iest dance floor in all of DC.
Welcome yall to our 9th installment of Get Lost, this month we are celebrating BIRDS!!
come in your best Bird regalia and squak your best bird noise!!
Like always, we will have the world famous Frick Frack, as well as local performances!
clowns and people in dress get $10 off door
No one turned away policy, (if you cant get in by any means please let the door people know, we'll work something out)
Party For A Purpose has partnered with Seven Teller to organize a FREE music & arts festival in Baltimore this Fall. The goal of Tellerfest 2024 is to spotlight and raise funds for BOPA (Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts) by curating an inclusive space to celebrate music, art, wellness and more.
Good New Publication Presents The Good News Fest:
Featuring Live Music Performances By
Almas | Silverset | Plus Impulse | Dead City Empire| Freedom Enterprise | Act 109 | Deepsix | Miss Moon | Choking On Flowers | Saltbox | Danah Denice | Lexi Raine | Brooke Lutwin | Tyler Adams | Logan helphenstine | The Streams
Vendors
Kaleb Meyer | Annalise Weidman | Urbannetics Apparel|Five O' Clock Co.| Gina Zwick | Lee Kayucet | Charmed Empress| Beautystreett
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
- First 50 guests receive a raffle ticket and a chance to win 6 MONTHS of FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS to ALL Rappolla Entertainment EVENTS + a $100 Zen West gift card!
- Second prize wins $50 CASH.
- TOP 2 "Baltimore Cult Classic" Costumes win $100 CASH.
Buy an Early Bird Season Ticket before the start of the season and save over 20% at-the-door admission to Opera House events for the year. Once the season starts, for $125, you can receive a season ticket that gets you in the door for all of this season’s performance series events.
Kicking Off the 2024-2025 Season at the Pocahontas County Opera House with Kindred Valley
With great excitement and a touch of nostalgia, the Pocahontas County Opera House is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its 25th season! What better way to commemorate this significant milestone than with a heartwarming performance by the immensely talented indie folk band, Kindred Valley. Join us on September 28, 2024, for an evening that promises to be both memorable and magical.
Twenty-five years ago, the Pocahontas County Opera House began its journey, enriching the community with diverse cultural experiences and memorable performances. This special season is a testament to our commitment to bring world-class entertainment to the heart of Pocahontas County. We invite you all to be a part of this historic season's kickoff, savoring the echoes of the past and the promise of a vibrant future.
Kindred Valley began its journey in 2020 when three friends with a shared passion for music met at Marshall University. Originally known as Back Row Baptists, Blake Lacy, Noah Freeman, and Brett McCoy started writing and recording music in Huntington, West Virginia. The band's line-up expanded in 2021 with the addition of husband and wife duo Rachael and Jadon Hayes, and Kaden Salmons. This new ensemble catalyzed a creative surge, resulting in the band’s evolution and their rebranding to Kindred Valley.
Their debut album, released at the end of 2022, features remastered versions of their early singles along with new tracks that reflect their deep Appalachian roots and ambitious future. Their evocative melodies and heartfelt lyrics will resonate within the historic walls of the Pocahontas County Opera House, offering a night of music that is both touching and inspiring.
The performance will begin at 7:00 PM, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure the best seats, as the venue operates on a first-come, first-served seating policy. It’s worth noting that all performances this season will begin at 7:00 PM. The opera house prides itself on being accessible and inclusive, with special accommodations available upon request to ensure everyone can enjoy the music comfortably.
Tickets for the event require a $10 donation for adults, while admission is free for those aged 17 and younger. To purchase tickets, please visit the Pocahontas County Opera House website at pocahontasoperahouse.org, stop by the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, or buy them directly at the venue on the evening of the performance.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs, and Festivals, Mid-Atlantic Arts, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Opera House extends its heartfelt gratitude to the broader community for its unwavering support, which enables such enriching cultural events.
Launched in 2014, Doors Open Baltimore, hosted by Baltimore Architecture Foundation, is a citywide celebration of architecture, design, history, neighborhoods, and communities. We aim to honor Baltimore’s diverse cultural tapestry by highlighting its vibrant neighborhoods, captivating architecture, and distinctive spaces that contribute to the city’s exceptional charm.
This year, we will be hosting tours throughout the month of October, all leading up to our big celebration day, Doors Open Saturday on October 26, 2024. On this day, over 40 unique buildings will open their doors, free of charge.
Please visit our website to learn more about our Open House Saturday sites.
The New/Next Film Festival, a celebration of emerging film culture presented by Baltimore Public Media, returns Oct. 3-6 to the historic The Charles Theatre. The 2024 festival has expanded to four days to feature more films and visiting filmmakers, and also includes at least two free screenings for our community.
Ecstatic Dance DC is the dance-iest dance floor in all of DC.
Maritime Magic, presented by Curio Welness, is the best annual benefit on the Baltimore waterfront, celebrating and supporting the important work of Living Classrooms Foundation, featuring delicious food and drinks from Baltimore's top restaurants and caterers and live music by The Motet. Come dressed in festive casual attire and enjoy a night under the stars with a great view of the Baltimore harbor from the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in historic Fells Point.
Ecstatic Dance DC is the dance-iest dance floor in all of DC.
Beloved ALASH Returns: Pocahontas County Opera House Continues its 25th Season
The Pocahontas County Opera House is delighted to announce the eagerly anticipated return of ALASH, masters of Tuvan throat singing, as part of the ongoing 25th-season celebration. The ensemble, a perennial favorite among Opera House audiences, promises a performance not to be missed.
Mark your calendars for October 12 at 7 PM when ALASH will take the stage at the Pocahontas County Opera House. Known for their extraordinary mastery of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), ALASH blends traditional Tuvan music with contemporary influences, crafting a sound that is at once ancient and modern. Their music is distinguished by intricate harmonies and the fusion of western instruments, while faithfully preserving the deep-rooted traditions of throat singing. Praised by The Washington Post as “utterly stunning,” ALASH has garnered international acclaim.
The ensemble features Bady-Dorzhu Ondar (vocals, igil, guitar, bayan), Ayan-ool Sam (vocals, doshpuluur, igil, xomus), and Ayan Shirizhik (vocals, kengirge, shyngyrash, shoor, xomus). ALASH’s innovative approach to Tuvan music has captivated global audiences, making their return a highlight of the Opera House’s season. Proud of its commitment to a family-friendly and accessible environment, the Opera House ensures that this cultural experience is available to all, with special accommodations provided upon request.
Please note, all shows at the Pocahontas County Opera House will now begin at 7 PM. This adjustment has been made to better serve our audience and community.
Seats for this highly anticipated performance are on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to secure their spot. Tickets are available for a $10 donation for adults, while those aged 17 and younger enjoy free admission. To purchase tickets, visit pocahontasoperahouse.org, stop by the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, or buy them at the venue on the evening of the performance.
The continuation of this landmark season is made possible through the generous support of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, Mid-Atlantic Arts, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Pocahontas County Opera House extends heartfelt thanks to the greater community for their enduring support.
Don’t miss the return of ALASH on October 12 at 7 PM and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Tuvan throat singing. This event promises an unforgettable cultural journey and is a highlight of the Opera House’s 25th season.
Kouch Kollective presents
Thought Process
support from 3420, Empti, Zackary Blue
21+
9pm-2am
Ecstatic Dance DC is the dance-iest dance floor in all of DC.
Join us in celebrating the architectural and design community at the 2024 AIA Baltimore & BAF Excellence in Design Awards.
Hoodstock is a grass roots music festival featuring rock/folk music from the late '60s and early '70s mixed with contemporary. Originally founded in 2004 as a neighborhood event, Hoodstock is now a major fundraiser to benefit Unified Community Connections and all they do to advance the independence of people with disabilities.
At Hoodstock guests “Just Say No to Black-Tie and Yes to Tie-Dye” while enjoying live local music, raffles, a silent auction, dinner, beer and wine. Last year's event raised more than $106,000 attracting more than 350 people. A highlight of the event is when O.J. Brigance presents the annual Samuel A. Tucker Memorial Can Do Award to recognize an individual who receives supports from Unified for their abilities.
Come celebrate Hoodstock's 21st birthday in your best blue jeans and tie-dye - we'll provide the peace sign necklace!
Rappolla Entertainment Presents
Anoxia is a post industrial female fronted hard rock band that utilizes spell summoned “guardians” in the form of undead animals as its musicians.
Led by dynamic powerhouse vocalist Chrystal James, the band continues to carve through the hard rock landscape with a vengeance. Known for their commanding guitar riffs and vigorous rhythm section, the band’s theatrical stage presence is a potent display of their unwavering dedication to the genre. ANOXIA fuses melodic finesse with raw, unchained power that hard rock aficionados have been yearning for.
Featuring
DrinkMaryland Glen Burnie is an open-air market and happy hour event that is perfect for a casual Saturday afternoon. Meet local artisans and learn about the local craft beverage industry from the wineries, breweries, and distilleries themselves while sampling their products! When you find something you like, you can purchase bottles and cans to take home with you!
Sponsored by the Glen Burnie Improvement Association and the Maryland Wineries Association.
The Rumbles began at the start of the year with The Last Year making one simple post. Since that day, they have put out eye-opening, head-turning music that makes us anticipate when they will hit the stage once again. On November 1st at Zen West, they’re back with a stacked lineup that we’re unsure will hold this amazing group.
The Last Year
Rise Among Rivals
51 peg
Southview Drive
Nights Edge
Further Information coming soon!
November 1st - Find Out "Who Is Will Sims
Join us for free live music at The Clandestino. Will Sims' notoriety has garnered him attention over the past decade, with performances at venues such as Rams Head Live, The Recher, and many others as part of Fantasm. An amazing musician whose talents are as remarkable as his spirit and personality, Will Sims is sure to impress. We are excited to host this event for FREE at The Clandestino.
Learn More About Will Sims
[https://www.whoiswillsims.com/](https://www.whoiswillsims.com/)
RSVP for This Event
We appreciate everyone's assistance in ensuring this event is properly staffed, so please make sure to RSVP in advance if you plan to attend. This event offers plenty of tables for seating and dining. For further assistance, please reach out to Rappolla Entertainment.
Baltimore's best Phish tribute band performs at a time when you can share your love of Phish with the whole family
The Baltimore Craft Beer Festival Is Charm City’s ONLY Official Maryland Beer Celebration!
DOZENS OF MARYLAND BREWERS • FANTASTIC LIVE BANDS • CURATED FOOD & VENDORS • COMPETITION AWARDS • PLUS, MORE FUN AND SURPRISES!
The earth speaks to us in a myriad of ways — through ice cores, through uplift and erosion, through tree rings — languages we have the potential to restore our literacy in. Reconnecting with these quiet messages has set Seth Glier, an avid mushroom forager and a Grammy-nominated artist from Western Massachusetts, on a path of channeling nature’s longing for communion with humanity into song. 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.
Seth’s gifts are an innate curiosity and a fierce desire to connect with other people. His musical acumen provides him with a vehicle for both. He was worked as a cultural diplomat for the US State Department and collaborated with musicians in Ukraine, Mongolia, China, and Mexico. Seth has shared the bill with a diverse list of artists ranging from the likes of Ronnie Spector, James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, & Glen Campbell. As a producer, music director, or studio musician he has collaborated with Sophie B. Hawkins, Tom Rush, Antje Duvekot, Richard Shindell, Doctora Qingona, Dar Williams, Nick Carter, & Cyndi Lauper. Seth is a five-time Independent Music Award winner and received a Grammy nomination for his album The Next Right Thing. With a commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change, he has written with the students in Parkland, FL for the “Parkland Project,” cowritten with soldiers at Walter Reed, and is an advocate for autism awareness citing his autistic brother Jamie as his greatest non-musical-musical influence.
Antje Duvekot is a crafter of intricate, closely observed songs
“Her songs feel at once fresh faced and firmly rooted, driven by the whispery sensuality of her voice.”
-The Boston Globe
“She creates an entire, detailed world in verse, and takes you there with beautiful and understated melody.”
-Neil Dorfsman, Producer
Antje has extensive touring experience, criss-crossing the US and Europe many times. She is a compelling live performer and has been invited to play some of the top festivals including The Newport Folk Festival as well as the Mountain Stage, Philadelphia and Kerrville Festivals. Internationally, she’s headlined the The Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and the Tonder Festival in Denmark. She’s the winner of some of the top songwriting awards, including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the prestigious Kerrville (TX) “Best New Folk Award” and, in one of the nation’s top music markets, the Boston Music Award for “Outstanding Folk Act”, three of the top prizes in the singer songwriter world.
Kouch Kollective presents
Lumasi - Sun & Moon Tour
Support TBA
21+
Prepare to Be Amazed: Craig Karges to Continue the 25th Season at the Pocahontas County Opera House!"
The Pocahontas County Opera House is thrilled to announce the continuation of its stellar 25th season with an astonishing performance by the renowned "extraordinist" Craig Karges on November 23 at 7 PM.
Craig Karges combines the art of magic with the science of psychology to create an experience that defies logic and leaves audiences spellbound. With over 5,000 appearances spanning 27 countries and all fifty states, Karges's "Experience the Extraordinary" show features mind-bending feats where tables float, minds are read, and metal bends. His talents have earned him over 40 national television spots, including appearances on The Tonight Show, CNN, and Fox News Channel. Performance Magazine has hailed his act as "The next era in mystery entertainment," and he has been repeatedly honored as Entertainer of the Year by the National Association for Campus Activities.
The Pocahontas County Opera House is committed to providing a family-friendly and accessible environment for all. Special accommodations are available upon request to ensure that every attendee can enjoy the show. With a first-come, first-served seating policy, we encourage guests to purchase their tickets in advance to secure their place for this enchanting evening.
Tickets are available for a $10 donation for adults, while admission is free for attendees aged 17 and younger. Tickets can be acquired through multiple channels: online at pocahontasoperahouse.org, in person at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, or at the venue on the evening of the performance.
The Pocahontas County Opera House extends its deepest gratitude to the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, Mid-Atlantic Arts, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau for their invaluable financial support. We also thank the local community for its continued support and enthusiasm for our historic venue.
Festival of Trees will return to the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Thanksgiving weekend, November 29 to December 1, 2024!
This three-day holiday celebration benefits the patients, students and programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute and kicks off the most wonderful time of the year for families throughout the region.
Hundreds of designer-decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses will be on sale and displayed throughout the Cow Palace, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland for this festive weekend.
Festival of Trees Event Hours:
- Friday, November 29: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
TFP Entertainment: Jazzzy Presents & Mr Incredible… & The Super Powers
Presents
“HISTORY“
Black Friday November 29
The Biggest Baltimore Party Reunion …
From All The Parties Bmore : Miami : DC : LAS Vegas from 2000 to Present Tag a Friend..
Confirm Vip Host
Lady Day Production ||Pank Boss Entertainment
Certified Dennis Presents || Corey Presents
Young Gunner || Star Status : Pee Wee
K & D || Skrued Marcus || First Man Ty
The Flywire || Jay & Marty Mc Fly || Dchase presents || Diwee || JAY & Marti Overachievers || Chopper & Eric B
KS Entertainment ||iDREAMeventS Wic
Good Life Lowe || KP EVENTS
Contemporary folk songs, at their very best, offer an insight into the hardships, attitudes, and resolve of characters and events that shape our day-to-day lives. You can dress these songs up in inspired arrangements and intricate instrumentation but, at their very essence, the archetypal folk song is all about stories. Stories and people. Something such compelling songwriters as Eric Bogle, Si Kahn, Ewan MacColl, and Stan Rogers … all understood and mined so effectively.
James Keelaghan, too, burrows into that same rich seam with equal ability and comparable conviction. To quote Eric Bibb, the award-winning American acoustic bluesman, after listening to Keelaghan perform: “[You’re] a joy to hear, just beautiful. Reminded me of the best of the best of another time – Liam Clancy, Tom Paxton etcetera.” Less colourful but more succinct, Dave Marsh, the eminent Rolling Stone critic, simply described Keelaghan as “Canada’s finest songwriter.”
Truly, throughout a career that now spans almost four decades, the Juno and Canadian Folk Music Award winner has created a repertoire of incalculable importance – a unique body of work, either inspired by or drawn from the folk tradition. Ten solo albums flush with enduring lyrical relevance. Take the beautiful but heartbreaking ballad, Jenny Bryce, for example. From any point of view, it’s indistinguishable from the numerous traditional tracks covered on his disc A Few Simple Verses.
What’s more, various other originals from the Keelaghan canon must surely enter the domain of traditional folklore. Most notably, Small Rebellions (highlighting the 1931 slaughter of peaceful striking miners in Bienfait, SK); Hillcrest Mine (a prelude to the worst coal mining disaster in Canadian history); Kiri’s Piano (a triumph over adversity amidst the shameful, racist treatment of Japanese-Canadians during WW II); Cold Missouri Waters (a harrowing portrait of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire in the mountains of Montana) …
A relentless musical spirit, Keelaghan has surrounded himself with a variety of crackerjack companions down through the years that have largely included the late, innovative, free-spirited fiddler and composer, Oliver Schroer, the exuberant, Chilean, Latino-fusionist guitarist, Oscar Lopez (with whom Keelaghan made two albums under the banner of Compadres), or the ubiquitous, former Spirit of the West anchor and multi-instrumentalist, Hugh MacMillan. Scrupulous audiences from Alberta to Australia bore witness to the sum of these resourceful parts.
There have been several mouth-watering collaborations in the writing department, too. Celebrated names in the folk world such as Karrine Polwart, Jez Lowe, Catherine MacLellan, David Francey, Lynn Miles, Dave Gunning, Cara Luft and J.D. Edwards … all contributed to notable Keelaghan releases.
“I love co-writing,” he says, “it’s the spark that gets me motivated – the fresh approach to a lyric or a different way of forming a melody for a song is so stimulating. Besides, it’s also a great impetus to finish the damn song.”
James Keelaghan grew up in a bungalow in northwest Calgary, AB, with six siblings, an Irish father, and an English mum. His brother Bob would develop into a noteworthy guitarist with the excellent, but now defunct, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir. From his father, Jim, James developed a love of history. The family record collection provided further inspiration. Traditional folk LPs by the likes of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Séan Ó Riada, and Harry Belafonte certainly caught young Keelaghan’s ear. He still cites Belafonte At Carnegie Hall as a recording that changed his life at age six!
Incidentally, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy would live in Calgary in the mid-‘70s where they recorded a weekly TV show that James and his father routinely attended. “They were stunning performers,” says James. “I can still hear aspects of Tommy Makem’s sound in my voice. He was a fabulous singer, fabulous.”
And so, another link in a storied musical chain was forged. James Keelaghan, as they say, is “a man you don’t meet every day.”
Ellis Paul’s songwriting credentials are unassailable. They are as genuine as the 14 Boston Music Awards he has earned, as indelible as the tattoo of Woody Guthrie that adorns his arm, and as authentic as the musical roots he draws upon with every note he plays. Since emerging from the Boston music scene, Ellis Paul’s music has been consistently recognized and celebrated worldwide. Despite his success and sense of history, Mr. Paul remains an Artist with his eye on the future and an interest in discovering the transformative potential of his music." - New York Times. With an array of CDs a concert DVD, a book of poems and short stories to his credit, Ellis' songs have been featured on the soundtracks to documentaries, TV shows and big Hollywood films such as The Farrelly Brother’s ‘Hall Pass’, ‘Me, Myself & Irene’, and ‘Shallow Hal’. Ellis is a true American troubadour, performing over 150 tour dates a year, for over 20 years all around the world. He has shared the stage with some of the top names in the music world including: Pete Seeger, John Mayer, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin, and multi-platinum band Sugarland, among others. Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, says of Ellis, “A singer songwriter is only as good as the times he reflects. Wise, tender, brilliant and biting, Ellis is one of our best human compasses, marking in melodies and poems where we’ve been and where we might go if we so choose to. Personally Ellis, I’m goin’ where you’re goin’!”
Drawing from a multitude of influences ranging from elegant classical and jazz styles to the rawest, most basic blues, country and soul, Radoslav Lorković has taken on an unusually broad musical spectrum and refined it into his distinctive piano style. His tenure on the R&B and folk circuits has culminated in five critically acclaimed solo recordings and numerous appearances on the recordings of and performances with artists including Odetta, Jimmy LaFave, Ribbon of Highway Woody Guthrie Tribute, Greg Brown, Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, Ronny Cox, Dave Moore, Andy White, and Bo Ramsey. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Lorković’s initial exposure to music can be attributed to two grandmother that sang him Croatian, Slovenian and Czech folk songs since birth. Rad has been touring with Ellis Paul for some time now.
The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, West Virginia's longest-running bluegrass band, will return to the Opera House on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 7 p.m. Led by Mill Point local Richard Hefner for over half a century, the band is renowned for its traditional bluegrass sound, tight vocal harmonies, and deep roots in the local music scene.
Joining Hefner is Mill Point neighbor Joanna Burt-Kinderman on bass, who will add her local influence and musical expertise. Dave Bing, renowned for his skillful fiddle playing and significant contributions to West Virginia's musical heritage, will also be on stage. Danny Arthur on guitar will complete the ensemble, bringing his personal touch to the group's rich and dynamic sound.
Fans eager to learn more about the band can explore the Opera House Story Sessions, which include engaging videos and podcasts that delve into Richard Hefner's early days and showcase some of his favorite songs. Richard's Story Session also includes tales of playing music with the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Additionally, a separate Story Session focused on Dave Bing offers insights into his pivotal role in the state's music scene, including his time with local musical legends, the Hammons Family.
Tickets for this highly anticipated performance are $10 for adults, while young music lovers 17 and under can attend for free, making it an accessible event for families. Subject to availability, tickets can be purchased online at pocahontasoperahouse.org, at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, or at the door on the night of the show.
Grants from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts proudly support the Opera House Performance Series. Additional support comes from Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, reflecting the community's dedication to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.
A wordsmith and poet of rare clarity, John Flynn writes powerful songs of humanity and hope. His dynamic performances are known for their disarming honesty and humor. Songwriter and activist John calls himself a “hopeful pessimist.” John sings from the heart. His powerful songs of humanity and hope are deeply rooted in the traditions of Woody Guthrie. From barbed political verse to joyous fun-loving lyrics for kids, John paints vivid, lasting images with words and music drawn from a palate of awareness, irony, humor, and compassion. He opens one of his recent CDs, The End of the Beginning, with the lines “Like river stone, it may be that some edges get worn smooth, or maybe it’s just that these days you don’t have as much to prove.” These words seem to capture not only the mood of the disarmingly acoustic release, but also something of the 59 year-old singer-songwriter himself. In 2005, Arlo Guthrie invited John to join his post-Katrina “Train to New Orleans Tour.” Arlo says of John, “More than just a good song writer, performer, or guitar player, John Flynn is a friend because he actually does the kinds of things to help make the world a little better.”
Anne Hills has become one of the better known voices of the contemporary folk music scene, receiving awards and recognition for her live performances (2009 Bound for Glory live radio show favorite- Ithaca, NY), her unique solo and collaborative recording projects (2001 WAMMIE for duet CD with Tom Paxton, Under American Skies), and her overall artistry and benefit work (2002 Kate Wolf Award, Carole Robertson Award & Kerrville Female Vocalist of the Year 1997). Her song “Follow That Road” was the title cut of the Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter Retreat and has enchanted audiences for over a decade. Whether she is singing her own song, the words of 6-year-old Opal Whiteley, or the Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley; accompanied with her guitar, banjo, or simply a Tibetan bell, she puts her whole heart and soul into the moment. So, even if you haven’t become familiar with her voice (featured often on XM/Sirius Folk Radio, The Midnight Special and many other folk shows) you won’t want to miss a chance to hear her songs and stories in person. She’s just begun touring more extensively, winning over audiences with her warm, lively and humorous performances. The AllMusic Guide says, “A stunning soprano tone has made Anne Hills one of contemporary music’s premiere vocalists … Her knack for writing heartfelt songs [has] brought her to the upper echelon of her craft.” and Tom Paxton says, “Anne Hills is such an exquisite singer that it’s understandable that people might be swept up in the pure beauty of her voice and thereby overlook her writing. That would be a mistake. For me, Anne’s writing, in songs like ‘Follow That Road’ and many others, is as direct, melodic and deep as any work being done today. She is quite simply one of my absolute favorite songwriters.”
Jay Ansill became interested in folk music while in high school, before long he was playing mandolin and fiddle at square dances Irish Ceilis. While still in high school, he formed the Schuylkill Valley Nature Boys, a band that played all kinds of folk music. He became well known in Philadelphia in the early 1980s for a station ID they recorded for WXPN FM. Jay Ansill is a composer and folk musician, known primarily as a Celtic harpist and fiddler. The emotional power and stylistic adventurousness of Ansill's music also owes a great deal to the literature of the twentieth century. Ansill was nominated twice as Best Folk Instrumentalist by the Philadelphia Music Foundation and in 1990 his album Origami, a collection of original compositions, was voted Best Folk Recording. He was also nominated for two Barrymore Awards in the same year for theatrical scores for productions of The Grapes of Wrath and Charlotte's Web at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia. Ansill is a regular collaborator with Mabou Mines theater company. Jay Ansill is a composer and folk musician, known primarily as a Celtic harpist and fiddler. The Folk Harp Journal says that "He has created a new language for the Celtic harp."
This show will be among Tom’s last tour dates. After 60 years of touring and recording, recording and touring, Tom will be retiring from the road in Spring of 2025. This will be your last opportunity to see Tom and to sing along to all his songs, so known and loved.
Tom Paxton has become a voice of his generation, addressing issues of injustice and inhumanity, laying bare the absurdities of modern culture and celebrating the tenderest bonds of family, friends, and community.
In describing Tom Paxton’s influence on his fellow musicians, Pete Seeger has said: “Tom’s songs have a way of sneaking up on you. You find yourself humming them, whistling them, and singing a verse to a friend. Like the songs of Woody Guthrie, they’re becoming part of America.” Pete goes on: “In a small village near Calcutta, in 1998, a villager who could not speak English sang me What Did You Learn In School Today? in Bengali! Tom Paxton’s songs are reaching around the world more than he is, or any of us could have realized. Keep on, Tom!”
Guy Clark adds: “Thirty years ago Tom Paxton taught a generation of traditional folksingers that it was noble to write your own songs, and, like a good guitar, he just gets better with age.” Paxton has been an integral part of the songwriting and folk music community since the early 60’s Greenwich Village scene, and continues to be a primary influence on today’s “New Folk” performers. The Chicago native came to New York via Oklahoma, which he considers to be his home state. His family moved there in 1948, when Tom was 10 years old, and he graduated from Bristow High School and The University of Oklahoma, where he majored in drama while his interest in folk music grew and eventually predominated.
Brought to New York courtesy of the US Army, Tom remained there following his discharge. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses, such as The Gaslight and The Bitter End, led to an ever-increasing circle of work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom — the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.
He and his late wife, Midge, have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many songs, and now three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter are adding to the sources of inspiration.
He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. That these fans still enjoy his work is a testament to the quality of his recent work, and to the enduring power of modern standards like The Last Thing On My Mind, Ramblin’ Boy, Bottle Of Wine, Whose Garden Was This?, Goin’ To The Zoo and The Marvelous Toy. Paxton’s songbooks, critically acclaimed children’s books (available from HarperCollins – see the page for children), award-winning children’s recordings, and a catalog of hundreds of songs (also recorded by many renowned artists including Willie Nelson, Placido Domingo, Paul Simon, Townes Van Zandt and Tiny Tim), all serve to document Tom Paxton’s 40-year career.
Tom received a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy during the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards. He was nominated for a GRAMMY for Comedians and Angels in 2007, and Live in the U.K. in 2006. He was also nominated for GRAMMYS in 2003 for his Appleseed Records CD, Looking For The Moon, and in 2002 for his children’s CD, Your Shoes, My Shoes. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BBC in London.
Tom Paxton’s place in folk music is secured not just by hit records and awards, but by the admiration of three generations of fellow musicians. An internationally recognized and loved cultural figure, he has always chosen goodwill over commercial success. His generosity has taken the shape of a benefit concert performance for a little girl fighting leukemia, or a personal note of encouragement to an up-and-coming songwriter. This is the man who wrote and lives the words, “Peace will come, and let it begin with me.”
He is one of the great songwriters of the last century and will be reckoned as one of the greats in this new century, as well. He is a man we have come to regard as our friend.
“Tom Paxton’s songs are so powerful and lyrical, written from the heart and the conscience, and they reach their mark, our most inner being. He writes stirring songs of social protest and gentle songs of love, each woven together with his personal gift for language. His melodies haunt, his lyrics reverberate. I have sung Tom’s songs for three decades and will go on doing so in the new century, for they are beautiful and timeless, and meant for every age.” (Judy Collins)
“Tom Paxton embodies the spirit of folk music in the most beautiful sense. Not just in his song crafting, his work ethic, his politics and his dedication to people’s music, but also in his kind and generous heart. When I first started playing folk festivals, I was all of eighteen, shaved headed and politically outspoken. Many people in the folk community at that time seemed defensive and threatened by me, but I remember Tom was a notable exception. He was nothing but warm, welcoming and supportive to me from the git go. He’s the coolest.” (Ani DiFranco)
“Every folk singer I know has either sung a Tom Paxton song, is singing a Tom Paxton song or will soon sing a Tom Paxton song. Now either all the folk singers are wrong, or Tom Paxton is one hell of a songwriter.” (Holly Near)
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon, Tom Paxton, teams up with the Grammy winning singer/songwriter duo The Don Juans - Don Henry & Jon Vezner.
Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan… just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, they knew they were onto something. Now they’re taking it on the road!
With 26 recordings and hundreds of songs in his repertoire, Tom Chapin serves up a tasty mix of story songs, ballads, comedic and political songs, family music, sing-alongs, old-time folk classics and a favorite song or two of his late brother Harry’s. Tom accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and autoharp.
In a career that spans five decades and three Grammy awards, Hudson Valley Troubadour Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Chapin has acted on Broadway, as well as working extensively in films, television and radio. As a music-maker, the multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist has maintained two long and productive parallel careers, both as a highly respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer in the field of children's music. Chapin has established a reputation for insightful, heartfelt songcraft, masterful fingerpicking, and charismatic live performance.
In addition to his varied musical and media endeavors, Chapin is a board member of
WhyHunger, the organization which Tom's older brother, the late singer-songwriter/activist Harry Chapin, founded in 1975. He also remains active in a variety of environmental causes, as well as efforts on behalf of music and the arts in our public schools.
"The greatest interpreter and vocalist performing in the contemporary folk scene." ~ Sing Out
Born in Hamilton, Ontario to parents of Nova Scotian descent, Garnet Rogers spent many hours in front of the old floor model radio listening to Grand Ol' Opry broadcasts and harmonizing with his brother, the late folk legend Stan Rogers. Two years later, Garnet was playing the definitive 8-year-old's version of "Desolation Row" on his ukulele. He soon abandoned that instrument to teach himself the flute, violin and guitar. At 18, Garnet was on the road as a full-time working musician with brother Stan. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential duos in the history of North American folk music. Garnet acted as producer and arranger for his older brother from 1973 to 1983, when Stan died tragically in a plane crash. Since then, Garnet has courageously established himself as a formidable solo artist. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "...charismatic performer and singer — one of the major talents of our time," they continue by saying that "Garnet's vocal and instrumental talents are complimented by an undeniably powerful physical presence — close to six and a half feet tall — with the lungs to match."
With his "smooth, dark baritone," (Washington Post) his incredible range and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. Cinematic in detail, his songs give expression to the unspoken language of the heart. An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small everyday victories. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humor and lightning-quick wit move his audiences from tears to laughter and back again. Rogers has been the featured performer on numerous television and radio programs including Much Music, Mountain Stage, and All Things Considered. He has been a headliner at concert venues and festivals such as Wolf Trap, Lincoln Center, and Art Park; sharing the stage with performers such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Billy Bragg, Bill Monroe, Ferron, Greg Brown, and Guy Clark. Though Garnet has enjoyed much popularity over the years, he remains resolutely independent, turning down offers from major labels to ensure that he continues doing music his own way.
Garnet Rogers recently published a memoir, Night Drive: Travels with my Brother.
"I have found strength and comfort in his songs. This is good and rich and big music. Welcome one and all. Come on in. Get down." ~ Greg Brown
"Celtic guitar god." ~ Baltimore City Paper.
"Breathtaking...brilliant technique, always in service of the music." ~ Guitar Player.
"A musician whose technical skill and stylistic expertise are second to none...a time-served folkie of the highest calibre." ~ Classical Guitar (U.K.).
Robin Bullock is a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist, whose virtuosity on guitar, cittern and mandolin blends the ancient melodies of the Celtic lands and their vigorous Appalachian descendants into one powerful musical vision. The 17th-century harp tunes of legendary Irish bard Turlough O'Carolan, the spirited jigs and reels of rural Ireland, the haunting ballads of the southern Appalachians and evocative original compositions all find a musical common ground in Robin's music, where lightning-fast fingerwork one moment is perfectly balanced with tender, quiet intimacy the next. A warm, friendly presence onstage, Robin effortlessly creates a magical world for the audience with his multi-instrumental wizardry, taking them on a journey to the heart and soul of Celtic and American traditions.
"Dazzling spirit... what he offers is not just virtuosity for the sake of virtuosity, but also the sensibility of one on a quest between past and present, traditional and modern." ~ Trad Magazine (France).
Originally rising to prominence as a founding member of the innovative acoustic world-music trio Helicon, Robin's solo career has won him three Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE Awards, a Governor's Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, and a feature broadcast on National Public Radio's hugely popular Celtic music program "The Thistle and Shamrock."
