Logo: Susquehanna Folk Music Society
Presenting fine traditional arts in Central Pennsylvania since 1985

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sun, September 21 - Folk at Fort Hunter Day

Folk at Fort Hunter Day Harrisburg
SFMS hosts an open jam session as part of the annual Fort Hunter Day festivities. Afternoon music includes Van Wagner, Fire in the Glen, Hammer Creek Bluegrass, Forbes Road Frolic, and the St Thomas Dulcimer Society. Enjoy family-friendly activities and historical demonstrations, food, crafts, and more, all day Sunday, September 21 at Fort Hunter Park. MORE

Sun, September 21 - Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night New Cumberland
Spend the evening at the lovely West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland, enjoying some fine local music and maybe taking center stage yourself. Your host is multi-instrumentalist and beatmaker Zachariah Beaver. Be there at 5:15 to sign up to play! Sunday, September 21 at West Shore Theatre. MORE

Sat, September 27 - Shine & Grace at Celebrate Wildwood

Shine & Grace at Celebrate Wildwood Harrisburg
SFMS presents Shine & Grace as musical guests (10:30 am and 12:30 pm) at Celebrate Wildwood, a nature-filled day for the whole family. Rain or shine! Paint a pumpkin, learn about birds and butterflies, go on a guided walk, find a new favorite food truck... lots of FREE family fun and live music on Saturday, September 27 at Harrisburg’s Wildwood Park. MORE

Sat, September 27 - Field & Folk: Harvest Dinner & Concert

Field & Folk: Harvest Dinner & Concert Field & Folk: Harvest Dinner & Concert New Cumberland
Our fourth annual Harvest Dinner! Susquehanna Folk teams up with Beshore Hill Farm and the New Cumberland Collective to present an autumn evening with delicious local foods and a concert with local new-folk band Barkley Cove. RSVP BY SEPT 21 for this outdoor dinner and concert on Saturday, September 27 at Beshore Hill Farm in New Cumberland. MORE

Thu, October 2 - Julie Fowlis

Julie Fowlis Julie Fowlis New Cumberland
‘If snow could sing, it would sing like Julie Fowlis...’ This multi-award-winning artist, firmly grounded in Scotland’s language and wild landscapes, has charmed audiences across the globe and even in space. Local Celtic/Americana band Seasons opens the concert on Thursday, October 2 at West Shore Theatre. MORE

Thu, October 9 - Cécilia

Cécilia York
Fresh and high-spirited music-making from three of Canada’s finest musicians. They bring the best of many musical worlds together, playing traditional, Celtic and Québecois with contemporary, classical, jazz and swing influences. This will be a warm, joyous evening of fine music shared with good friends. Concert on Thursday, October 9 at UUCY. MORE
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Hubby Jenkins joins our Fall lineup

“the joyous embodiment of the future of acoustic blues”

Hubby Jenkins
Hubby Jenkins — November 2

One of the brightest lights in a new generation of Black musicians! Articulate, enthusiastic, and immensely talented, Hubby seeks the deepest roots of blues, early jazz and pre-country.
That uniquely American music (not to mention that uniquely American instrument, the banjo) sprang from life experiences within our complex American culture. Through that musical lens is a rich and nuanced perspective on American history, and also fine music, well played, by a knock-your-socks-off multi-instrumentalist.
Stay for his Master Class after the Sunday afternoon show, even if you don't play guitar.

Hubby joins a fall lineup that includes super‑groovy contemporary folk, snow‑scented music from Scotland, high‑spirited contemporary Québecois, the amazing multi‑genre musician whose sea shanties enliven the Assassin’s Creed video game series, and off-the-beaten-path music to warm the winter hearth.

Julie Fowlis Cécilia Seán Daghe Windborne: Music of Midwinter
Julie Fowlis October 2
Cécilia October 9
Seán Dagher November 23
Windborne Dec 9

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Pennsylvania Relief Sale Quilt Auction

In this Folk Artist spotlight, we visit the Pennsylvania Relief Sale, a quilt auction that supports humanitarian work around the globe. More than just a fundraiser, it’s a family-friendly event centered around one of the most enduring cultures in our region.

An applique quilt showing a colorful array of tulips in a wooden cart or buggy. A bluebird perches on the cart’s handle.
This cheerful wall hanging won "Best in Show" at this year's Pennsylvania Relief Sale

For anyone who loves quilts and other handwork, the annual Pennsylvania Relief Sale is a must. A cultural staple in our region since 1957, it reflects generations of Central PA traditions of handwork, foodways, gardening, games, and music.

Besides the exhibition and auction of quilts, the event features food, live choral music, a plant sale, quilting supplies, and the contagious joy of quilt enthusiasts in a creative calico wonderland.

What began on a farm in Berks County, now fills all 172,000 square feet of the Giant Exposition Hall at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Next year's sale — April 2026 — is their 70th sale, and it's well worth marking your calendar now!

A montage of six quilt patterns. Top left is two squares of Veggie Cats: an orange cat curled in the shape of a pumpkin, and a maroon cat curled in the shape of an eggplant. Top center has blue swirls like cresting waves between long-pointed stars. Top right is a crazy quilt, with various shapes sewn together and ornately embroidered.

photos by Amy Skillman

The quilts showcase a wide variety of designs and techniques, from patchwork to applique to embroidery.
Read more about the Pennsylvania Relief Sale...
See more Folk Artist Spotlights
The board and staff of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society are committed to celebrating and affirming diverse cultures through programming which explores the music, dance, craft and stories of many people. We stand in complete solidarity with the Black community and all marginalized communities to speak out against injustice, bigotry and racial violence.
A head-and-shoulders shot of Raye Zaragoza, a young multi-racial woman with long straight hair, dusky skin and full lips. She is wearing a black hat (only the underside of the brim is seen) and black T-shirt. Her expression is serious and a little sad.
Mônica Teles, holding a drum, sits back-to back with Chelsea Caroline who holds a guitar. Mônica is a young women of Hispanic appearance, with light brown skin and dark hair; her bandmate is a young white woman. Both have bare arms with cowrie shell armbands.
A Black man stands in the corner of a brick-walled room, playing a banjo and gazing down toward his hands.
Two Hispanic men with dark skin pose with large Puerto Rican drums in front of a Puerto Rican flag. They wear white shirts and trousers, and white hats with black bands. They are also holding other percussion instruments, including maracas and a basketball-sized shaker covered with colorful fishnet.
King Jester is a young Black man, leaning against a wall as he plays a metallic resonator guitar. He wears a gray T-shirt and is looking down at the guitar.
Black Opry member King Jester is following in the footsteps of many jazz and blues greats, transitioning from a studio/touring sideman to a band leader. His multi-instrumental musical journey includes the Berklee College of Music (entering as a drummer, leaving as a bass player) and stints with Sting, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Bruce Katz, and many more. Jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln referred to King Jester as “the future of music.” [2023-2024 Concert Series]