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The Westford Folk Concerts are on the second Friday of the month
at 8 PM. Warm up performances start at about 7:15
PM. Concerts are either in the Westford
Museum, 2
Boston Road, or at the Parish
Center for the
Arts (PCA), 10 Lincoln Street.
For most concerts, adult members of the Museum pay $11, adult
non–members $15, and teens $5 per concert. 12 and under are
admitted free. Season tickets are available.
Our seating space is limited. If you are not a season ticket
holder, contact
us to reserve a seat.
2009-2010 Season
10/9/09, BCMFest Young
Musicians: BCMFest Goes West(ford): This year's in-the-round
show will present some of the most accomplished young exponents
of Celtic music in the Boston area, including the "chamber-grass"
sounds of the Folk Arts Quartet, Cape Breton duo Doug Lamey
and Cliff McGann, inventive Scottish fiddle player Katie McNally,
as well as other guests. BCMFest co-founder and acclaimed
fiddler and singer Laura Cortese says "Members of this group
have been tremendous supporters of BCMFest and bring such
energy and creativity to Celtic music and dance; they are
the generation which is going to keep the tradition going
and bring it to new heights."
 11/13/09,
Laurel Martin
and David Surrette
with Kieran Jordan:
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC AND DANCE with David Surette (guitar),
Kieran Jordan (dance) and Laurel Martin (fiddle) Multi-instrumentalist
David Surette (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin) is a highly respected
performer of traditional and folk music. A top player and
arranger of Celtic fingerstyle guitar, his diverse repertoire
also includes original compositions, blues and ragtime, traditional
American roots music and folk music from a variety of traditions
all played with finesse, taste and virtuosity. He is sought
after and enthusiastically hailed as a contradance musician,
as part of a duo with vocalist Susie Burke, and as a sensitive
accompanist and an accomplished soloist. Dancer Kieran Jordan,
internationally recognized performer, teacher and choreographer
of Irish dance, is an expert practitioner of sean-nos (old
style Irish) dance. Her unique approach to dance marries deep
rooted traditions with contemporary innovations. Her musical,
expressive dance style has been influenced by her interest
in many forms of percussive and modern dance. Kieran has collaborated
with many of New England's finest traditional musicians and
is a frequent performer at festivals and concerts all over
America. A dedicated artist with boundless enthusiasm for
Irish dance, she brings intelligence, creativity, and a warm
spirit to her dance projects in Boston and beyond. Fiddler
Laurel Martin, highly respected as a teacher and performer
of traditional Irish music, plays in a subtle, lyrical style
that is reminiscent of the regional music of County Clare
and East Galway. Laurel's playing captures the listener with
its simple yet intricate depth, and her love and enthusiasm
for the old traditional musicians from whom she draws her
inspiration shines through with every tune and story she shares.
She has taught and performed at workshops, concerts and festivals
throughout the United States and she enjoys playing and performing
with many of the fine traditional Irish musicians here in
the Boston area, both in concert and in session settings.
12/11/09, STÄMBANDET
- The Scandinavian Vocal Ensemble With a reputation for excellence
both as an a cappella ensemble and a World Music vocal group,
Stämbandet, under the direction of Allen LeVines, presents
songs rarely heard outside Scandinavia. In December, this
captivating "vocal band" of singers - many born in Scandinavian
countries - combines the music and stories of Christmas with
those of a much older Nordic culture, including the candle-bedecked
Lucia and her attendants. Watch children trimming the tree,
awaiting a visit by the tomte, or house elf, responsible for
bringing gifts. Hear exciting tales of St. Stephan, or Staffan,
and his horses on their magical ride. COME! and be enchanted
by the joyous and colorful expressions of a traditional Swedish
holiday! "...the singer's voices are pure and clear, and the
songs are of a folk tradition that sounds fresh and new to
American ears." - Guy Van Duser, Rounder Records "Stämbandet
moved in sparkling harmonies from soft to loud, brightly busy
to darkly elegiac." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe. Note:
This concert will be held in the Parish
Center for the Arts located at 10 Lincoln Street.
 1/8/10,
Trì: Trì means
three in Scots Gaelic and the band plays Scottish music rooted
in Nova Scotia. Trì features Doug Lamey on fiddle, Matt Phelps
on bagpipes and Cliff McGann, who was raised in Westford,
on guitar/vocals. Lamey and McGann are direct descendants
of the Nova Scotia Scottish diaspora, with Doug's grandfather,
Bill, a prominent Cape Breton fiddler in Boston during the
50's and 60's. McGann spent summers growing up on his grandparent's
farm in Lanark, Nova Scotia. Phelps, originally from Connecticut,
has spent 20-years playing the Great Highland Bagpipes and
Scottish smallpipes and is Pipe Major of the Stewart Highland
Pipe Band based in Wilmington, MA. 
2/12/10, Diane Taraz:
With a velvety voice and inspiring songs, Diane returns to
Westford with her elegant guitar and lap dulcimer. She creates
entire worlds in the songs she writes, and breathes new life
into traditional ballads. The Boston Globe says "her lovely
soprano has a deep shimmer and calm, honest phrasing." Just
finishing a new CD, Diane draws inspiration from Celtic, British,
French-Canadian, and American folklore. Joining her will be
the UUlations, a group of nine women whose voices blend in
beautiful a cappella.
 3/12/10,
Yankee Notions:
Widely known for their high-spirited programs, Yankee Notions
performs traditional and contemporary music of New England.
The duo consists of Jim Douglas on vocals, guitar, and concertina,
and Tim Van Egmond on vocals, hammered dulcimer, pennywhistle,
and limberjack. Whether it's an old song in praise of the
farmer's life, a rollicking sea chantey, tandem telling of
a tall tale, toe-tapping dance tunes, or a recent song about
the character and characters of New England, Yankee Notions
promises to "please the ear, enrich the mind, and enchant
the heart." The duo consists of Jim Douglas on vocals, guitar,
and concertina, and Tim Van Egmond on vocals, hammered dulcimer,
and limberjack (a small wooden puppet that taps out a rhythm
on a paddleboard). The two have released an album together
entitled "Bridges." In addition, Douglas has published two
song collections and made a number of solo recordings of songs
and stories, one of which won the American Library Association's
prestigious Notable Award. Van Egmond has recorded three albums
and appeared on National Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion"
as a member of the contra dance band "Swallowtail." Van Egmond
is also known for his solo performances as a folksinger and
storyteller. Performing together for over twenty years, the
two have entertained audiences of all ages throughout New
England, including appearances at Old Sturbridge Village,
Mystic Seaport, the Mayflower II in Plymouth, and The Museum
of Our National Heritage. Yankee Notions has been selected
by the New England Foundation for the Arts for the New England
States Touring Program. "Your performance was exceptional…
Your interaction with the crowd was very warm and accepting
of all age groups. The  music,
stories, and humor enlightened everyone who attended." Paul
Serafini, Longmeadow, MA Parks and Recreation Department .
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westford
Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the
Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
4/9/10, Matching
Orange with Blue Moose and
the Unbuttoned Zippers MATCHING ORANGE is an exciting
new band from the Boston area, distinguished by their high
energy playing and brightly colored music folders. Using the
trio of Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Eric Eid-Reiner
(piano), and Brendan Carey Block (fiddle), they create a swirling
level of intensity, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure, and
always engaging. Matching Orange takes full advantage of a
diverse musical background, with extensive training in folk,
classical, jazz, and other traditions. Using this training,
a love for all varieties of traditional music and dance, and
a desire for minimalism, they bring to the dance floor an
intriguing mix of sound that is equally at home in front of
a listening audience. Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers
(BMUZ): Brewing up a tasty mix of traditional music infused
with startling rhythms and innovative arrangements, BMUZ is
one of the most dynamic groups based in the Boston area today.
True citizens of the 21st century world, BMUZ takes from the
rooted traditions of many cultures and translates their essence
into a unique, vibrant sound. Starting out as a group of friends
jamming and swapping tunes, BMUZ has evolved into a group
which performs widely in the Boston area at local venues such
as Club Passim in Cambridge and festivals such as Boston Celtic
Music Festival and the International Folk Festival at Berklee's
Performance Center. The members of BMUZ use an eclectic group
of instruments. Brownyn Bird plays the accordian and the ethereal
nyckelharpa, the traditional bowed stringed instrument from
Sweden, where she lived for a year. Andy Reiner, who comes
from a musical family and has studied at many a fiddle camp
across the country, plays the five string fiddle and is especially
rooted in the lively music of Cape Breton. A fiddler who has
studied traditional music in Ireland and Norway, Mariel Vandersteel
also plays hardanger fiddle, the traditional string instrument
of Norway. Stash Wyslouch, who has traveled with guitar through
South America and is influenced by hip hop and funk, brings
a driving sense of rhythm and groove to the group. Their many
original compositions, while grounded in traditional genres,
are refreshing, lively and full of verve. The evocative sound
of Bronwyn' nyckelharpa as well as Mariel's hardanger fiddle
is held together with the fiery tone of Andy's fiddle and
the driving force of Stash's guitar. Completely entertaining
on stage, it is obvious that BMUZ is having as much fun playing
together as the audience is while listening to them.
 5/14/10,
Tim Farrell:
When Tim Farrell gracefully evokes a melody from his acoustic
guitar, you don't just hear it - you feel it. Tim is among
a rare breed of musicians who can make listeners experience
music on a multitude of levels. His melodies captivate and
enchant, while his playing expresses a simple elegance that
celebrates the purity of the acoustic guitar. Tim has been
called "one of the new trailblazers", one of the select few
musicians who have the ability to entertain an audience and
inspire a new generation of musicians. "Tim Farrell is an
extraordinary guitar player with a gift for memorable melodies."
- John Diliberto, Host of Echoes "Tim Farrell stands apart
from the numerous acoustic guitar slingers out there. [He
is] a guitarist to be heard." - Billboard, Critics Choice
"Tim Farrell is an interesting combination of a guitarist
who plays thoughtful, creative, introspective instrumental
music, and writes some interesting and sometimes funny songs."
- George Graham, Director of Contemporary Arts and Host of
Homegrown Concert Series, WVIA-FM, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre,
PA
6/11/10, Stephen
Webber Blowout: The Emmy-award winning guitarist,
producer, turntablist and Berklee professor brings along friends,
students and talented family members for a high-spirited,
sometimes surprising and always amazing concer. The concert
may feature just about anything, including an eclectic mix
of folk, jazz, pop, hip-hop and some styles invented just
for that evening. Don't miss it! At the Parish Center for
the Arts. Theater seating. This concert only: Members
$13, non-members $18, teens $5, under 13 free.
2009-2010 Season
Subscription Order Form
YES! I want to enjoy
wonderful music and support the Westford Historical Society.
Fill out either section A or B.
A. I want to become a member of the Westford Historical Society
for the 2009-2010 season and reserve a season ticket:
Individual membership
@ $25 * = ____________
Family membership
@ $40 * = ____________
Patron membership
@ $100 * = ____________
Student/Senior
membership(s) @ $10 * = ____________
And ______ member's
season subscription(s) @ $81 each = ____________
B. I prefer ______ non-member season subscription(s) @ $108
each = ____________
I/we want to support great music in Westford with an additional
fully tax-deductible gift of ____________
Total Enclosed = ____________
* Membership amount less the discount on season tickets purchased
is tax deductible.
Name_______________________________________
Mailing Address______________________________
Town State Zip______________________________
Telephone_______________________
e-mail Address*______________________________
_____ I prefer to receive my Historical Society newsletter
by e-mail.
_____ Please contact me about volunteering at the Historical
Society
*Note: To get e-mail reminders for each concert, please be
sure to include a current e-mail address. We do not share
address, phone or e-mail information.
Please mail this order form along with your check payable
to: The Westford Historical Society, Inc., PO Box 411, Westford,
MA 01886
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