Philadelphia Folksong Society
Encyclopedia
Philadelphia Folksong Society is a not for profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present and securing the future of folk music
and related forms of expression through education, presentation and participation.
The Philadelphia Folksong Society, founded in 1957. has sponsored programs of entertainment and education throughout the local area and North America. These programs present a lyrical history of society and provide enjoyment to thousands of people of all ages. From the traditional ballads of the 15th century to the contemporary sounds of today's singer/songwriters, the Philadelphia Folksong Society has promoted and greatly contributed to the preservation of a vast variety of musical styles and historical perspective.
Established by a small group of folk fans and musicians, including singer and guitarist George Britton
, the Society has grown into one of the largest, most successful organizations of its kind, developing and marketing quality programs. Revenues from the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival have enabled the Society to give away more than a million dollars to present, sponsor and promote a wide variety of activities, educational programs and entertainment in the community. The Philadelphia Folksong Society also lends its expertise, and gives support, to other non-profit organizations. As a team of volunteers, we have built one of the premiere events and organizations for all types of folk music and culture.
While the Society is best known for its largest event, the Philadelphia Folk Festival
, some of the lesser known programs are the most significant to the people served, bringing music to schools, senior centers, hospitals, concert halls, libraries and other locations. Servicing thousands each year, these programs introduce children and adults to a variety of instruments and styles, and encourage exploration of ethnic diversity and historical trends in musical expression.
Unique among cultural organizations, The Philadelphia Folksong Society supports its efforts with the devotion, ingenuity and sweat of its volunteers. The volunteers are the backbone of the organization.
- The largest and oldest continuously running festival of its kind in the country. For more than four decades, some 8,000 to 15,000 people gather annually at the Old Pool Farm for three days and four nights of music, children's programs, crafts, workshops, and campground jams. Many Festival ticket-holders and volunteers have been attending the event since its inception; others for 10, 20 or 30 years.
More than 2,000 volunteers set up and produce the festival. This dedicated group works throughout the year to provide attendees with a great show, numerous activities, and a safe and comfortable environment.
In recent years, the Philadelphia Folk Festival has become a coming-together for veteran, contemporary, and fringe folk artists. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20080415_Folk_festival_sees_younger_acts_as_tonic.htmlhttp://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2008/04/17/folk-fest-press-conference/
Other changes to the festival include the addition of a beer garden at the 47th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19856840&BRD=2275&PAG=461&dept_id=466404&rfi=6
The Odyssey of American Music program sends dozens of musicians into Philadelphia schools where arts programs have been limited or cut. The program has been in operation for decades and serves over 6,000 students per school year.
Benefit Fundraisers are held intermittently to benefit the non-profit and to honor important figures in the advancement of folk music and arts. Most notably, the Society honored the work and life of Nora Guthrie
, daughter of the late Woody Guthrie
, in a concert held at World Cafe Live.http://folkmusic.about.com/b/2007/11/07/philadelphia-folk-song-society-will-honor-woody-guthrie.htm Her extensive works include the oversight of the Woody Guthrie Foundation
.
, co-founder and master of ceremonies for the event, is also a popular radio DJ on WXPN
and forerunner of Philadelphia folk, even bringing Bob Dylan
to the city in 1963.
Levi Landis is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Landis had a prominent independent music career before beginning his non-profit work with Emmaus, Inc. in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Folksong Society.
Many celebrities have graced Society-hosted stages over the 51 year span of the organization. Among them are Pete Seeger
, Jim Croce
, Jackson Browne
, Judy Collins
, Doc Watson
, Steve Goodman
, Janis Ian
, and Mike Seeger
. Other more recent acts include Ani DiFranco
, Alison Krauss
, Kimya Dawson
, Steve Earle
, Jonathan Edwards. This is by no means a comprehensive list of artists or notable figures.
Festival Website http://www.pfs.org/PFF.php
Official PFS Myspace http://www.myspace.com/folksongsociety
Official Festival Myspace http://www.myspace.com/phillyfolkfestival
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and related forms of expression through education, presentation and participation.
The Philadelphia Folksong Society, founded in 1957. has sponsored programs of entertainment and education throughout the local area and North America. These programs present a lyrical history of society and provide enjoyment to thousands of people of all ages. From the traditional ballads of the 15th century to the contemporary sounds of today's singer/songwriters, the Philadelphia Folksong Society has promoted and greatly contributed to the preservation of a vast variety of musical styles and historical perspective.
Established by a small group of folk fans and musicians, including singer and guitarist George Britton
George Britton (musician)
George Britton was an American singer, actor, and guitarist. A classical bass-baritone, he had an active performing career in operas, concerts, and musicals during the 1930s through the 1960s...
, the Society has grown into one of the largest, most successful organizations of its kind, developing and marketing quality programs. Revenues from the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival have enabled the Society to give away more than a million dollars to present, sponsor and promote a wide variety of activities, educational programs and entertainment in the community. The Philadelphia Folksong Society also lends its expertise, and gives support, to other non-profit organizations. As a team of volunteers, we have built one of the premiere events and organizations for all types of folk music and culture.
While the Society is best known for its largest event, the Philadelphia Folk Festival
Philadelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is an annual folk music festival near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Begun in 1962, the four-day festival is sponsored by the non-profit Philadelphia Folksong Society. The event hosts contemporary and traditional artists in genres...
, some of the lesser known programs are the most significant to the people served, bringing music to schools, senior centers, hospitals, concert halls, libraries and other locations. Servicing thousands each year, these programs introduce children and adults to a variety of instruments and styles, and encourage exploration of ethnic diversity and historical trends in musical expression.
Unique among cultural organizations, The Philadelphia Folksong Society supports its efforts with the devotion, ingenuity and sweat of its volunteers. The volunteers are the backbone of the organization.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk FestivalPhiladelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is an annual folk music festival near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Begun in 1962, the four-day festival is sponsored by the non-profit Philadelphia Folksong Society. The event hosts contemporary and traditional artists in genres...
- The largest and oldest continuously running festival of its kind in the country. For more than four decades, some 8,000 to 15,000 people gather annually at the Old Pool Farm for three days and four nights of music, children's programs, crafts, workshops, and campground jams. Many Festival ticket-holders and volunteers have been attending the event since its inception; others for 10, 20 or 30 years.
More than 2,000 volunteers set up and produce the festival. This dedicated group works throughout the year to provide attendees with a great show, numerous activities, and a safe and comfortable environment.
In recent years, the Philadelphia Folk Festival has become a coming-together for veteran, contemporary, and fringe folk artists. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20080415_Folk_festival_sees_younger_acts_as_tonic.htmlhttp://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2008/04/17/folk-fest-press-conference/
Other changes to the festival include the addition of a beer garden at the 47th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19856840&BRD=2275&PAG=461&dept_id=466404&rfi=6
Programs
Other programs of the Philadelphia Folksong Society include a series of retreats that take place in the seasons surrounding the summer festival. Respectively, these are Spring Thing, Fall Fling, and Cabin Fever. And while each is different in scope and context, the programs are generally geared toward arts engagement, sings, workshops, and community.The Odyssey of American Music program sends dozens of musicians into Philadelphia schools where arts programs have been limited or cut. The program has been in operation for decades and serves over 6,000 students per school year.
Benefit Fundraisers are held intermittently to benefit the non-profit and to honor important figures in the advancement of folk music and arts. Most notably, the Society honored the work and life of Nora Guthrie
Nora Guthrie
Nora Lee Guthrie is the daughter of American folk musician and singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie and his second wife Marjorie Guthrie, sister of singer/songwriter Arlo Guthrie, and granddaughter of renowned Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt...
, daughter of the late Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
, in a concert held at World Cafe Live.http://folkmusic.about.com/b/2007/11/07/philadelphia-folk-song-society-will-honor-woody-guthrie.htm Her extensive works include the oversight of the Woody Guthrie Foundation
Woody Guthrie Foundation
The Woody Guthrie Foundation, founded in 1972, is a non-profit organization that serves as administrator and caretaker of the Woody Guthrie Archives...
.
Notable Figures
Over the years, the Society has had as its foundation or under its wing, many notable figures or celebrities. Gene ShayGene Shay
Gene Shay is an American radio personality. He is a representative of Philadelphia's folk music scene. He has produced weekly folk radio shows since 1962...
, co-founder and master of ceremonies for the event, is also a popular radio DJ on WXPN
WXPN
WXPN is a non-commercial, public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that broadcasts a music radio format called adult album alternative , along with many other format shows supported all with an indie slant...
and forerunner of Philadelphia folk, even bringing Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
to the city in 1963.
Levi Landis is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Landis had a prominent independent music career before beginning his non-profit work with Emmaus, Inc. in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Folksong Society.
Many celebrities have graced Society-hosted stages over the 51 year span of the organization. Among them are Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
, Jim Croce
Jim Croce
James Joseph "Jim" Croce January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973 was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and 11 singles...
, Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, Judy Collins
Judy Collins
Judith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
, Doc Watson
Doc Watson
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson is an American guitar player, songwriter and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music. He has won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded...
, Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
, Janis Ian
Janis Ian
Janis Ian is an American songwriter, singer, musician, columnist, and science fiction author. Ian first entered the folk music scene while still a teenager in the mid-sixties; most active musically in that decade and the 1970s, she has continued recording into the 21st century...
, and Mike Seeger
Mike Seeger
Mike Seeger was an American folk musician and folklorist. He was a distinctive singer and an accomplished musician who played autoharp, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, mouth harp, mandolin, dobro, jaw harp, and pan pipes. Seeger, a half-brother of Pete Seeger, produced more than 30 documentary...
. Other more recent acts include Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
, Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
, Kimya Dawson
Kimya Dawson
Kimya Dawson is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a solo performer and as one half of The Moldy Peaches. In Swahili, "Kimya" means "silence" or "silent".-Career:...
, Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
, Jonathan Edwards. This is by no means a comprehensive list of artists or notable figures.
External links
Society Website http://www.pfs.org/PFS.phpFestival Website http://www.pfs.org/PFF.php
Official PFS Myspace http://www.myspace.com/folksongsociety
Official Festival Myspace http://www.myspace.com/phillyfolkfestival