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

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thu, June 19 - John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick

John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick Harrisburg
SOLD OUT! Two of the finest Irish musicians in the world, masters of the tradition, innovative players and composers: Mike with flute, whistles and pipes; John with guitar and vocals. An open Irish music session at 5:45 pm kicks off the evening; musicians and listeners welcome! Irish Session & Concert on Thursday, June 19 at Fort Hunter. MORE

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 30 - Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna

Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna Tuba Skinny at Mt Gretna Mt Gretna
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

NEWS FLASH!

John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick

June 19: John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick: Irish session & concert

TICKETS FOR DOYLE & McGOLDRICK
DOYLE & McGOLDRICK DETAILS

Just when you thought our season was over, here comes a blockbuster finish — an intimate evening at Fort Hunter with two of the best Irish trad musicians on the planet. Might we suggest getting tickets early?

If you follow folk music — and not just Irish trad, but also bluegrass, old-time or Americana — you have probably heard both of these guys. You might not know their names, but you've heard them play.

John Doyle is one of the most innovative and most imitated Irish/Celtic guitarists out there. He's rightly in demand for his ability to bring out the best in any music, but he's also a captivating singer and solo performer. He was a founding member of Solas (on our stage earlier this spring) and first came to our stage in 2005 with fiddler Liz Carroll.

For flute, whistles and pipes, the same words can be applied to Mike McGoldrick: innovative, influential, often-imitated, much in demand. Mike was a founding member of the ground-breaking Irish contemporary trad bands Lúnasa and Flook, and is a long-time member of Scottish band Capercaillie. He's also performed with Afro-Celt Sound System, Kate Rusby, Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton.

Both John and Mike have been regulars for many years with the Transatlantic Sessions, led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas. That ongoing project brings together musical luminaries from across the spectrum of roots music, from traditional Celtic to bluegrass, country, blues and folk.

TICKETS FOR DOYLE & McGOLDRICK
DOYLE & McGOLDRICK DETAILS

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.
Crys Matthews, a young Black woman, wears a crisp white button-down men’s shirt, black tie and black suspenders. She has her thumbs underneath the suspender straps, pulling them up off her shoulders. Her curly hair is long on top and cropped close at the sides.
Narda LeCadre’s hands on a quilt. She is black, and her hands suggest she is an older woman. She is wearing a brown coat with its cuffs turned back, and a rust-colored top. The quilt has blue calico pinwheels.
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.
A Black man stands in the corner of a brick-walled room, playing a banjo and gazing down toward his hands.
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]