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

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Fri, August 8 - American Patchwork Quartet at Mt Gretna

American Patchwork Quartet at Mt Gretna Mt Gretna
APQ re‑imagines Americal folk songs, blending jazz sophistication, country twang, West African rhythms, and East Asian ornamentation. A stellar lineup of Grammy-winning artists brings four widely varying perspectives to a vision of unity in diversity. Outdoor concert on Friday, August 8 at Mt Gretna Playhouse. MORE

Sat, August 9 - Apprenticeship Celebration

Apprenticeship Celebration Apprenticeship Celebration Camp Hill
Join us for performances, demonstrations, and stories shared by this year’s SFMS/PCA Traditional Arts apprentices and the master artists who mentored them. This event is part of our “Bringing It Home” series, presented by our Susquehanna Folk Arts Center. Sunday, August 6 at Fredricksen Library. MORE

Fri, August 15 - Cumberland Honey: Sunset Music

Cumberland Honey: Sunset Music Harrisburg
SFMS presents local band Cumberland Honey as part of Fort Hunter Park’s “Sunset Music and Movies” series. Sweet harmonies with folk influences, soul and a taste of bluegrass from the heart of Cumberland County, PA. Their original songs weave stories of life, love and a call to social action. Rain date August 17th. Friday evening, August 15 at Fort Hunter Park.

Sat, August 23 - Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic Harrisburg
All Susquehanna Folk volunteers, past and future, are invited to a cookout potluck with live musical entertainment by SFMS Board members! Saturday, August 23 at Fort Hunter Park, West Pavilion. MORE

Sat, August 30 - Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna

Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna Mt Gretna
NEARLY SOLD OUT! Tuba Skinny doesn’t just play music; they transport listeners to the heart of New Orleans — a city pulsing with life, with an unparalleled influence on American music and a profound love for its musical roots. They play jazz, ragtime, jug band and string band tunes, country blues and more. Carla Crowen of The Rhythm Lounge will be teaching swing dance classes for all levels, starting at 5pm. Dust off those shoes and get ready to dance in the aisles! Swing dance classes and outdoor concert on Saturday, August 30 at Mt Gretna Playhouse. MORE

Fri, September 12 - The Kathleen Parks Band

The Kathleen Parks Band York
This fiddler, singer, and songwriter brings joyful and creative energy to the stage and studio. Her writing leans toward pop, folk, and classic jazz, while her virtuosic fiddle blends and reimagines traditional and modern musical styles with boundless groove, and a playful improvisational spirit. Concert on Friday, September 12 at UUCY. MORE
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Hot Off the Presses!

Although crisp autumn weather seems a hundred years in the future, we’re already planning fall concerts. Get a jump on next season with these two shows: TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Kathleen Parks
GET TICKETS for Kathleen Parks Band

The Kathleen Parks Band: Sept 12

This groovy fiddler and singer first came to our stage with the modern stringband Twisted Pine. While still busy touring and recording with them, she is also creating wonderful music on her own. Her deep grounding in Celtic and American roots music blends with her love for pop songwriting, funk rhythms, soulful vocals, and groove-based improvisation.

Julie Fowlis
GET TICKETS for Julie Fowlis

Julie Fowlis: October 2

‘If snow could sing, it would sing like Julie Fowlis...’ This multi-award-winning artist from Scotland has charmed our audiences and folks all over the globe, with music that vividly evokes the untamed landscapes and the ancient language of her native country. She’ll be appearing with her band, and local Celtic/Americana band Seasons opens the show. Get tickets early; this show will likely sell out!

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 very crowded room, with people holding hands as they dance in concentric rings. They are all wearing suits and nice dresses because they are attending a wedding reception.
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.
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.
Curtain call at a Black Opry show, with several Black artists (mostly women) celebrating.
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.
Pedro Antonetty grew up immersed in the music of his native Puerto Rico. In addition to the bomba music of his own heritage, he channels the rhythms of Africa, the Middle East, Latin and South America, and even Japan. He is also a creative builder of his own traditional drums. [Folk Artists Gallery and 2024 Susquehanna Folk Festival]