New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

The Princeton Folk Music Society announces its 60th Anniversary Concert Season

originally published: 11/26/2024

Princeton Folk Music Society Volunteers, from left: Frank Kubitsky, Dave Leonard, Madhumita

Chakrabartti, Bill Houston, Peter Kernast, Alexandra Radbil, Robert Ey, Mary Curtis, Lisa Roth, StephenFitzpatrick, Walt Miziuk, Peter Hester, not shown: Pat McDonnell, Anne Gribbon, Don Arrowsmith.

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025 and is hosting a year-long special program of concert events to honor the occasion.

From its earliest days when the concerts were held on the Princeton University campus, the Princeton Folk Music Society has brought a wide range of notable performers, such as Elizabeth Cotten, Mick Moloney, Beppe Gambetta, Bill Staines, and Jez Lowe, to name just a few, to perform for our greater Princeton community audiences.

The Folk Music Society, according to historical recollection from one of its first members, actually had its early beginnings more than sixty years ago, largely through the initiatives and leadership of Yvonne Aronson. Drawing folks from the Princeton community, Aronson began organizing and leading informal folk music sings. Then, in 1965, a more formal organization that could sustain a budget and sponsor concerts and additional activities was established and incorporated.

Much has changed from those early years, when a substantial number of members were Princeton University students, and the concerts and monthly sings were held on the University campus.  In addition, and to more actively engage with the community, some Society's members performed at local bookstores or venues and community events. Others became professionally recognized musicians. Continuing today, some members host local folk music programs at radio stations located at Princeton University and The College of New Jersey.

While some the activities have ebbed and flowed over the years, The Princeton Folk Music Society continues as an all-volunteer organization committed to its mission of preservation, presentation, and promotion of folk music in all its diversity in the greater Princeton community and beyond. Sixty years onward, the Society continues to present a broad range of folk music including traditional folk, blues, international, contemporary singer-songwriters, and more.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



This 60th anniversary season features an eclectic set of outstanding performers. In January, the celebration year kicks off with Mari Black - multi style violinist and champion world music fiddler who weaves together driving dance tunes with beloved stories that bring the music to life. In the following months, you'll continue to be treated to a feast of musical flavors:  blues, Americana, Celtic, country, bluegrass, African American string band and more.  Finally, the year concludes with a special presentation about folk music history and tradition in New Jersey along with celebrating the life and music of Pete Seeger.

Concerts are held at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton NJ. The intimate venue with great acoustics lets you experience the music up close and personal. During the program intermission, attendees have the opportunity to meet with the performers. The concerts are also live-streamed should you want to enjoy the show from a remote location or watch a replay at a later date.

All concerts start at 8:00pm and are held at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ. Tickets online or at the door (if not sold-out). For more on the Princeton Folk Music Society, upcoming shows, tickets and live-stream access, visit: https://princetonfolk.org



Princeton Folk Music Society 2025 - 60th Anniversary Year Concert Line-up

January 17 - Mari Black | Multi-style violinist and champion world music fiddler who weaves together driving dance tunes with beloved stories that bring the music to life

February 21 – Chris Smither | An American original-one of the absolute best folk/blues singer-songwriters in the world. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk, modern poets and philosophers

March 21 - Poor Man's Gambit | Philadelphia-based, multi-instrumentalist Irish music group. Traditional Irish music with elements of Irish dance




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



April 25 – John McCutcheon | Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, covering a wide variety of traditions including Appalachian dulcimer and fiddle music, topical protest songs, and children's music

May 16 - Ensemble Sangineto | Band performs ancient harmonies of traditional Irish, Scottish, Breton & Italian tunes with modern rhythms on harp, bowed psaltery, guitar and three voice-polyphony

September 19 – The Ebony Hillbillies | Consisting of fiddle, banjo, bass, washboard & percussion, the Hillbillies are the last African-American String Band in America, bridging a gap in Pop, Country, Bluegrass, Folk, Jazz and beyond

October 17 - Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer | Superb harmonies on classic country, bluegrass to contemporary folk, backed by instrumental virtuosity (guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, more)

November 21 - Phil Ochs Song Night | A celebration of the music of folk legend, Phil Ochs, featuring Greg Greenway, Reggie Harris, Louise Mosrie and Pat Wictor

December 12 – Michael Gabriele/New Jersey Folk Revival Music:  History & Tradition & Spook Handy/Remembering Pete Seeger | A night of folk music history:  Gabriele explores the evolution of New Jersey’s music (1700s bawdy tavern songs, Pine Barrens bluegrass, old-time traditions, and contemporary folk), Spook Handy celebrates Pete Seeger’s legacy

All shows at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ. Tickets online or at the door (if not sold out). Doors open at 7:30 pm, show begins at 8:00pm. Ample free parking. Tickets, livestream access and more information at: https://PrincetonFolk.org

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Motor

Motor City Revue

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Two

Two NJ Jazz Musicians Will Play with The Jazz Ambassadors in Morristown

Pianist Anthony Pocetti grew up in Hamilton, NJ, studying piano, "doing sort of traditional piano lessons. I have an uncle who was always encouraging me to get into the jazz thing. He gave me the (Miles Davis) Kind of Blue CD, and he knew that the jazz pianist Jim Ridl was living in Hamilton."