July 12th 2008: Our first ArtMusic Coffeehouse show in quite a long time, featuring composer singer guitarist James Durst. See his great site, http://JamesDurst.com . We'll gather around 7PM, showtime should be 8PM.

August 29th, Friday night, showtime 8PM, door opens at 7PM. Pianist/Composer Louis Landon:

http://www.louislandon.com/news.php

Improvisations for Peace

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Sunday evening October 26th, 2008.

Terry Garland, master fingerpicking slide blues guitarist, in an evening of hot blues not to be missed. Come between 7 and 7:30pm, showtime is at 8pm. Thank you for your support - bring your friends!
Call Don Slepian at 570-476-6307 or go here for directions.

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November 15th, 2008 8:00PM
Singer Songwriter Craig Bickhardt

Our Saturday evening April 18th 2009 show featured Steve Cohen and the Tree People, coming to us from Eugene, Oregon.

Read their amazing story and enjoy their music here

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Singer-Songwriter James O'Malley

http://jamesomalley.com

"...His sweet voice and gentle finger style on the guitar enthralls the most jaded listener. The warm and intimate melodies that he crafts beautifully frame the direct and honest stories that he tells..." – Huntington Folk Music Society

Saturday July 25th, 2009

Amilia K. Spicer

Her voice is often described as haunting and ethereal, but it's the writing that really separates Amilia from the rest of the new generation of literary songwriters. Likened by one critic to a French chanteuse in a candle-lit cafe, her songs set a mood. They are intimate and visual, like walking into a movie. It's some kind of strange potion, but one that's perfect for that midnight ride with the windows down. There is an edge, a turbulence, in many of the places Amilia writes about, but not all of them. Her songwriting fuses together the different places she calls home- the languid textures of rural Pennsylvania, the swing and melody of Texas Americana, with the back alley bite of LA.

http://AmeliaSpicer.com

Saturday August 21, 2009

KING CURLY

It’s almost embarrassing how charmed I was by this band. They are weiiiiird, but in such an under-stated way it’s endearing. First, this Australian quartet sings about forlorn bumblebees and “coming back as a revenge song.” But they do it in such a Mr. Rogers meets Tiny Tim meets Jeff Buckley way that the sentimentality borders on the surreal. Any American or Brit doing this material would seem tongue-in-cheek, but I swear I think they mean it.

Secondly, the instrumentation (weird anachronistic box of a Ukulele, trombone, upright bass, electric guitar, and four, count them - 4 voices.) Now in America, this would seem like another band trying to one-up Dave Matthews by adding horns, so they can stand apart from the average (rock?) band. But it’s so second-nature to this act; and of course, they swap instruments too - and well.

But CDs are about songs. And this ensemble has them. Lofty melodies, “outside-the-lines” harmonies, and unusual lyrics that are literate and affecting. Seeing this group perform was a rejuvenating breath of fresh air, and the CD will remain a lasting treasure. “The Rise and Fall of King Curly”- it’s brilliant. Check out their dark and extremely well-done videos if you aren’t sold.

http://KingCurly.com

Sunday September 13th, 2009

Doug & Telisha Williams

“The honesty in their lyrics and in the overall sound of their songs drew me in from the beginning. After one listen, I knew these folks were kindred spirits; after experiencing a live performance, I felt like part of their family--in the best possible way.”
-Bill Baldwin, presenter, The Gravity Lounge

http://dandtw.com

Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish, known as the Honey Dewdrops play original and American traditional songs focusing on vocal harmonies and tight instrumentation.

“When you listen to the Honey Dewdrops, you can’t just listen to one song - you just want more, more, more. Their gentle spirits come with powerful voices while the instruments have voices of their own. This is fresh, homegrown music but deeply rooted in tradition and most importantly it is really good!”

- Anne & Pete Sibley (Winners of the 2009 APHC Talent Show)

http://TheHoneyDewdrops.com

_{Friday November 13th, 2009}
8:00PM
_{Patrick Ball}

Patrick Ball is considered one of the premier Celtic harpers and storytellers in the world today. He has recorded nine instrumental and three spoken word albums which have sold well over one-half million copies collectively and earned national awards in both the music and spoken word categories.

Friday evening January 29th, 2010 8:00PM
  Jazz Duo Nancy and Spencer Reed

Nancy Reed and Spencer Reed's unique brand of vocal and instrumental styling has been enjoyed by audiences in Italy, Japan and Mexico as well as coast to coast at home in the U.S.

Their forte is their vocal blend, with tight yet natural phrasing and unusual harmony. Both grew up in New York City and started their musical collaboration as teenagers in the Bronx. They were influenced by the classic performances of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Sarah Vaughan and Jackie and Roy.

Their audience is always treated to a warm, relaxed yet swinging and intense set. They offer an unusual selection of rarely heard tunes punctuated by unique treatments of jazz standards.

The Jack Stafford Foundation, featuring Jack Stafford. 

Some reviews of his latest CD:

Red Alert, USA
“Acoustic music
fans have hit a jackpot upon purchasing Long Live Love. This Amsterdam native band sounds like a European Bob Dylan.”

DIGG, Belgium
“Rootsy and folky… a 5 star singer songwriter album!’’

Der Schallplattenmann, Germany
“The music is magic…magnificent acoustic, alternative pop.’’

Music2Web, Germany
“Long Live Love is a wonderful album. Folk lovers, hippies at heart and anyone wishing to remember the 60’s will especially love it.’’

PLATO, the Netherlands
"What I think of the CD? I get up on the wrong side of the bed, cut my cheek shaving, spill hot coffee on my freshly ironed shirt, discover heavily frosted car windows: to end up in a 17 km traffic jam. I put on Long Live Love by The Jack Stafford Foundation and suddenly I love all the other drivers around me. Love and Peace to all!’’

Friday Evening June 25th, 2010  8:00PM
Keyboardist/Composer Spiro Cardamis
and Soprano Vocalist Julie Ziavras

Spiro Cardamis is an extraordinary keyboardist and composer in both traditional Greek and contemporary "New Age" styles.  A virtuosic poet at the piano.  Julie Ziavras is a wonderful singer in folk, Greek, and classical styles.  The two of them together are a musical marvel.

Spiro composes by performing - a process he calls composing on the spot where the listener experiences the music as it is being created. In doing so Spiro brings back ancient times where the performer was the composer and music was recognized for its healing power. A bold performer with no boundaries Spiro always enters the musical adventure with the attitude and trust of a hero that all is well.

A lot of his music has been likened to a near death experience and listeners who have had the experience have recalled its presence and similarity. Spiro, himself, has called that portion of the music Religious Music of the New Millennium.

Saturday Evening July 17th, 2010  8:00PM
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Poet Holly Avila & Blue Planet

Folk / Tropical / Afro-beat         Appalachian roots, Mexican soul, Andean heart

The Blue Planet was conceived by Holly Avila from her roots in American folk music, both contemporary and traditional. In the mid '80's, she heard an album by Los Lobos which sent her on a romantically inspired quest through Latin music. She played bass with the Juggernaut String Band, and at the Philly Folk Fest in 2000, she introduced her first Tex Mex song, "Not Loving You" on the Main stage to an audience that responded enthusiastically. She went on to form her own band in order to pursue further her Latin American inspired musical interests. She met an accordion player extraordinare, Ralph Romano, a seasoned professional from the Catskills circuit, and gave him cd's of Mexican and Colombian music to inspire his sound to fit her vision. She had also met a Peruvian musician at an Andean festival, and invited him to add his instrumentation to the mix to create her totally unique combination of Central and South American influences. With the percussion expertise of Obi Kaye, you have the incredibly rhythmic and melodically enchanting sound that the Blue Planet has created.

Saturday Evening August 14th, 2010  8:00PM

Craig Carroll, Classical Guitarist

When asked what I do its simple. I play guitar music that strikes me as beautiful and suprising and different.  Ragtime pieces by Scott Joplin, Mexican love songs by Tamez, Russian music by people whose names I can't pronounce, Rennaisance music that has been outright forgotten.  Anything that is not the usual and is good to listen to.

I've always walked to a musical different drummer following my own way of playing and choosing what I play. So far people like what I do so I'll keep doing it and we'll all have fun!

I studied Classical guitar under Segovia and Carlevaro protoge Ben Bolt for over 10 years. I performed for over 50 international master classes for almost every major name in the business.

I have been playing recitals, concerts, coffee houses, resteraunts, weddings, and every other imaginable thing that would pay a penny for over 20 years.

I've won grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission on many occasions and was the first guitar player to play for a video showcase for the performing arts exchange.

So that's me in a nutshell.  But if you wanna know who I am, talk to me, it's more fun!