Hello,
Here is the definitive word on the Folktracks Series at Passim from Mr. Palmater.
Please pass the word.
Alison
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Palmater
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 10:24 AM
Subject: Traditional Music at Club Passim Monday, January 10th

So here's my big news for the new year: I'm presenting a monthly traditional music series at Club Passim. And the first edition is Monday night. I have to say that I'm thrilled that everybody I asked to perform readily agreed.

Debra Cowan will open the evening, and who better? She has a beautiful voice, a great collection of songs, and a deep knowledge of the tradition.

One of the things that I want to do with this series is to bring to the Passim stage some great musicians who are often only heard playing in sessions or for dancing. I've been enthralled with Jimmy Noonan's flute playing since I heard him on a collection of Irish music from Cleveland. I won't say how long ago that was, but let's just say that it was an LP. Anyway, it's great that he lives in Boston, and I think you're going to love not only his virtuosity but the wonderful settings for tunes that he has collected and developed over the years.

Alison Lee Freeman just blew people away on the chantey boat at the 2004 Boston Folk Festival. When I finally got to hear her, I have to say I was blown away as well. She sings traditional chanteys, she creates new arrangements of chanteys, she writes new chanteys (Alison's Saab Story, as heard on Car Talk) and that's just the start of her talents.

And what can you say about Laura Cortese? She's a great fiddle player, dancer and singer, sometimes all at the same time. What I want to say is that she is just a damned exciting performer!

At the end of the evening we're planning on a bit of a ceilidh, so practice up a favorite old song or bring along your instrument. Players of all abilities are encouraged to jump in.

Admission is only ten bucks, and you can get in for five if you're a member of Club Passim, the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston, Boston Scottish Fiddle Club, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or the Cape Breton Island Gaelic Club. (We'll be adding more organizations as we go, so send suggestions my way.)

Everybody complains about parking in Harvard Square, but it usually isn't much of a problem on Monday nights. You can often get a space on the street within a turn or two around the Cambridge Common. If that doesn't work out, the parking garage under the Charles Hotel is surprisingly affordable, and if you are a Club Passim member you get a $7 flat rate for the evening. Best idea, bring a friend and split the parking. And speaking of affordable, food from Veggie Planet is not only appetizing, it's inexpensive. If you're looking for dinner for two, I suggest splitting a Caesar Salad and an open face grilled cheese sandwich. Both under $10. Not bad, eh?

For more information go to http://www.folktracks.com
To buy tickets and/or make dinner reservations, go to http://www.passimcenter.org

And please pass this on to anybody and everybody who might be interested. I'm not very good at this publicity stuff and I need all the help I can get. We really need to pack the place for the first couple of months to prove that there is an audience for traditional music, so any help will be greatly appreciated.