UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sun, October 17 - Songs of Ulster in Ireland

Online

Join us for a day of FREE workshops, conversations, and performances by three remarkable singers. ALTAN members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dáithí Sproule join local Irish singer Seamus Carmichael to explore the vibrant traditional songs from the region of Ulster in the North of Ireland. Full-day artists' residency on Sunday, October 17. MORE

Oct 17, 10 am - Residency Introduction

Introduction to the Songs of Ulster - Join folklorist Amy Skillman to meet our artists and learn briefly about the kinds of songs found in the North of Ireland, and what differentiates them from other songs in the British tradition. Each artist will offer a song as preview of their own workshop. Opens our FREE day-long virtual artists' residency. MORE

Oct 17, 11 am - Tragic Little Stories

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh will talk about the Gaelic song tradition of her home in County Donegal and about growing up singing in Gaelic. She will sing a few of her favorites and teach one phonetically, along with context. Part of our FREE day-long virtual artists' residency. MORE

Oct 17, 1 pm - Comic Songs and Singing

Seamus Carmichael will use an English language version of the song "An Buinneán Buí" (The Yellow Bittern) to illustrate his approach to singing a subtly comic song, demonstrating techniques to draw your audience in and make them laugh. Part of our FREE day-long virtual artists' residency. MORE

Oct 17, 2 pm - Guitar Accompaniment

Dáithí Sproule will describe the classic Ulster song, and give examples of such songs that have become American folk songs. He'll discuss and demonstrate the beauties and the common pitfalls in presenting the old songs in this way, using both standard and alternative tunings. Part of our FREE day-long virtual artists' residency. MORE

Oct 17, 3 pm - Traditional Song Session

All three artists come together for a traditional singing session, trading songs and the stories about them, and providing an opportunity for participants to share a song from their homes. The conclusion of our FREE day-long virtual artists' residency. MORE

until Nov 7 - Hit Rewind: Bruce Molsky & Tony Trischka

Online

Good news for folks who missed our in-person concert with Bruce Molsky & Tony Trischka on August 29 — or who loved it and want to share it with distant friends. We recorded it! Grab a ticket, “Hit Rewind,” and watch the concert on YouTube until Sunday, November 7. MORE

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Lamentations and Laughter

The Tragic and Comic Songs of Ulster, in the North of Ireland

An Artist to Artist Residency THIS SUNDAY! FREE!

featuring local Irish singer Seamus Carmichael and two members of ALTAN, a reknowned Irish band: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and guitarist Dáithí Sproule.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dáithí Sproule with the other two members of Altan stand in front of a tall arch in a ruined medieval church.

Details & Registration

Join us online this Sunday for a day of FREE workshops and conversations, stories and song!

Altan's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Dáithí Sproule (two members of that phenomenal Irish band) join our own Seamus Carmichael (raised in County Derry and now living in Lebanon, PA).

You're invited to this FREE virtual artists' residency, to explore the vibrant traditional songs from the region of Ulster in the North of Ireland.

Sneak Peek Video

Seamus Carmichael, a sean-nós singer and pennywhistle player, is one of the traditional artists showcased in our Traditional Artists Gallery, which is a project of SFMS's Susquehanna Folk Arts Center.

Susquehanna Folk is one of a statewide network of folk arts partners supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The Susquehanna Folk Arts Center is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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.

PULLING TOGETHER

Those who play and present music for a living are in difficult straits right now, along with restaurant staff, service workers, and so many others. If you are in a position to do so, please support your community in whatever ways you can.

If you play an instrument, you might consider reaching out to any musician you admire and asking about lessons via video-call. Many of them suddenly have more time and less income than usual! Ask your local music store owner if you can buy a gift certificate. See if the pub down the street is offering carry-out. Support an arts nonprofit whose work you believe in (like SFMS! among others).

Pull together with your community and do what you can. Together we'll get through this.