Here are the folks lined up to perform featured sets at our upcoming in-person and online events in November and December:
Nov 1 at the Friends’ Meeting House
Jane Slemon brings energy, insight and affection to her music. Jane writes of her early life: “I was the fourth kid to arrive into my family, so guess which harmony was left?” Jane has created a lot of joyful music out of those early lessons: she sings and plays with musical groups including Erratica and J.E.S., has put out two CDs, and shares music in many communities. (15-minute set)
Third Time Lucky! sings a variety of music including Folk, World Music, and songs of Life and Living. Come and share soulful and uplifting connection in Community with Patti Palm, Bernadette Mah, and Tim Mah. (15-minute set)
Illiteratty’s style encompasses folk, swing, world, rockabilly, cabaret and more. With sharp lyrics, 5-part harmonies, and multiple instruments, Earle Peach and friends throw a party that is not to be missed. (30-minute set)
Nov 15 at the Friends’ Meeting House & live-streamed to Zoom
Rick Pollay has sung bass in high-spirited choirs, hosted a Gospel Train radio show, and sung regularly with the Vancouver Folk Song Society – especially in their sea shanty group, The Lazy Jacks. In recent years, while he and his shanties have been sailing the cyber seas, Rick has also turned his hand to songwriting. Welcome back, Rick! (15-minute set)
Chaya Harvey: Ethereal vocals and sparse instrumentation build a world of transcendent, melancholic beauty in Chaya Harvey’s music. Check out her dreamy melodies and tender lyrics on her latest recording, “Born in Spring.” https://chayaharvey.bandcamp.com/ (15-minute set)
The Lazy Jacks Shanty Crew sounds best with audience participation, and the VFSS audience is always quick to catch on, whether it’s remembering old favorites or new shanties. They also include able musicians to add variety to the usual a cappella presentation. See www.lazyjacks.org for more. (30-minute set)
Nov 29 on Zoom
Don Gilbert: One man and his guitar (and banjo). He can enthrall you with his interpretation of a 17th century English folk song and transport you through the Appalachians with his favorite American folk song. (20-minute set)
Dec 6 at the Friends’ Meeting House
Barb Shaw a.k.a. Random Old Lady.
With over 50 years of musical experience, Random Old Lady’s songs are steeped in Americana influences of folk, jazz, blues and rock. She plays them in her personal percussive guitar style. Barb is a prolific songwriter in many genres and has a talent for creating custom songs to help bring communities together around a common cause. She has been a choir director, songleader, performer, and guitar teacher for many years & welcomes your connections and comments. (15-minute set)
RandomOldLady.bandzoogle.com
https://youtube.com/@randomoldlady_
Robert Connely Farr, with Jay Bundy Johnson.
Vancouver singer-songwriter Robert Connely Farr (2019 Maple Blues Awards nominee for Songwriter & New Artist of the Year) grew up in the small southern town of Bolton, Mississippi, home of Charley Patton & The Mississippi Sheiks. When he’s in Mississippi, he can be found at the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia, entranced by the obscure tuning and haunting melodies of his friend & blues mentor Jimmy “Duck” Holmes.
By turns soulful and searing, Farr’s music has dodged bullets, faced cancer, and earned rave reviews from coast to coast. Farr will be accompanied by old school drummer Jay Bundy Johnson. (15-minute set)
https://www.robertconnelyfarr.com/
https://robertconnelyfarr.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-eastvan https://www.youtube.com/@jaybundyjohnson
Tom Rawson and Ellen van der Hoeven
Folksingers Tom Rawson, from Orcas Island, WA, and Ellen van der Hoeven, from North Vancouver, BC, love to strike up hootenanny fun on both sides of the 49th Parallel. They come armed with banjos, guitars, mandolin, penny whistles, and other weapons of mass delight. Their humorous stories, user-friendly songs, and acoustic folk philosophy are guaranteed to leave you smiling. Tune up your vocal chords; you’ll need ‘em! (30-minute set)
Dec 20 at the Friends’ Meeting House & live-streamed to Zoom
Winter Solstice Celebration. No featured sets; sign up in advance to do one song, tune, or poem.
If you are interested in doing a 15-minute set at the Meeting House, please contact our Features Coordinator or sign-up at the desk at any of our in-person events.