|
|
July 2,
2017
Circle:
North
|
We turned our
thoughts northward on a hot summer evening. You can probably
think of many songs with the word, "north" in them,
but you could also consider the Union side in the Civil War. Or
Santa bringing Christmas in July. |
|
|
June 4,
2017
Circle:
Songs of the Sixties
|
Whether of not we
like to admit it, many of our musical careers got started with
the Folk Revival of the 50's and 60's. So we dredged up all kinds
of old
tunes to stir our memories. |
|
|
May 7, 2017
Potluck Supper & Jam:
No Theme
|
We started out early (at 5:30) with a potluck supper (A-M brings
entree, N-Z brings side or salad). BCFSS will provide drinks. A
free-form jamming session followed. |
|
|
April
2, 2017
Circle:
Fool's Gold
|
We sang about
fools (or politicans - same difference) or about gold, or found ways to put the two together. |
|
|
March 5, 2017
Feature:
Tom & Marianne Tucker
|
The amazing duo of Tom and Marianne
Tucker harmonize delightfully while playing almost every
instrument and covering almost every musical genre known to folk singers. |
|
|
February
5, 2017
Circle:
Blood
|
We're not sure what
inspired this topic - perhaps the Superbowl, but it didn't have
to be gory. You could always sing about relatives - as in
"I'm My Own Grandpaw". |
|
|
January
8, 2017
Circle:
War & Peace
|
Yes, it was the 8th
of January, but there are other war and peace songs besides the
Battle of New Orleans. Perhaps the results of the recent
elections could suggest something. Or the upcoming NFL playoffs. |
|
|
December
4, 2016
Feature:
Double D's
|
Double D's are a
collaboration formed from members of other groups. Denise
Gealer, of "No Windows", gives voice to familiar tin
pan alley tunes while accompanied by Dave McCullough, of
"Highbrow Hound Dogs", on ukulele. |
|
|
November
6, 2016
Circle:
Winners & Losers
|
We were only a couple
of days away from a whole lot of winners & losers, millions
of them if you include the voters. But this did not have to be
about politics. Could be romance (or failure of it) sports,
gambling, or anything else that involves winners and/or losers. |
|
|
October
2, 2016
Circle:
Leaves
|
Yeah, we may be
accused of lacking imagination, but you can use yours to come up
with countless songs relating to leaves, and it doesn't have to
be the kind of leaves that change color and fall off the trees.
So leaf through your songbook and see what you can find. And
remember, "leaves" can be a verb or a noun. |
|
|
September
11, 2016
Open Jam
|
Our September meeting in recent
years has often coincided with the Doylestown Arts Fest, and this year was no exception. As many of our
regulars were be tied up at Doylestown that day, we again had a free-form meeting, also known as "Y.O.Y.O." |
|
|
August
7, 2016
Feature:
Side By Side
|
Side By
Side is
an early jazz and eclectic music group, specializing in
songs from the heart. Their favorite
musical genres are: Jazz Standards, Americana, Blues, Folk, Spiritual.
They accompany themselves on six-string guitar, weissenborn
guitar, and resophonic guitar (dobro). |
|
|
July
10, 2016
Circle:
Animals
|
This time we celebrated the
multitude of furred, featherd, scaled, etc. critters we share
our planet with. |
|
|
June 5, 2016
Circle:
Open Theme
|
Because a number of our key players
were to be at the Dubline Community Day/Arts Fest, we scheduled an
open (a.k.a. theme-less) circle. |
|
|
May 1, 2016
Circle & Potluck Dinner:
Alphabet Soup
|
No, alphabet soup wasn't necessarily
be on the menu. Instead, our circle songs had to have
something to do with the alphabet. Or soup. |
|
|
April
3, 2016
Feature:
Phyllis & Friends
|
Phyllis Purves-Smith has been a key
member of the group "Spring Muse" for a number of
years, but tonight she was featured with the support of a
select group of talented friends. Phyllis is a
multi-instrumentalist whose talents include vocals, whistle,
banjo and classic guitar. |
|
|
March
6, 2016
Circle:
Progressive Theme
|
Here we go again with that totally
demented progressive theme circle. That doesn't mean the songs
have to relate to liberal politics. The theme varies in
the course of the circle as each song has to be related in some
(often obscure) way to the previous one. |
|
|
February
7, 2016
Circle:
Freedom/Struggles
|
The folk music catalog is
overflowing with music addressing this topic, and some felt free to
write their own. The struggle for freedom never ends. It's part
of being alive. |
|
|
January
10, 2016
Feature:
Open Stage
|
We will had time for about 10-12
individual performances, so a variety of mucis was heard and
enjoyed |
|
|
December
6, 2015
Circle:
Oposites
|
We recently had a circle theme of
things more alike than different, so we figured it was only fair
to give opposites equal time. |
|
|
November
1, 2015
Circle:
Gospel Tunes
|
We recognize that the term
"gospel tunes" commonly refers to songs from the
Christian tradition, but we also recognize that we are a group
that respects others' convictions, so so we feel that music from
any religious tradition would be appropriate. |
|
|
October
4, 2015
Feature:
Bert Coffman
|
Long-time BCFSS member, Bert
Coffman, plays folk, bluegrass, gospel, country and original
songs on a multitude of instruments, but concentrated on
Guitar for this evening. He focused on songs and techniques he has
learned in his 27 years with BCFSS. We heard some things we may rarely or never have heard him play before, and not his
usual Unsafe At Any Speed repertoire. |
|
|
September
13, 2015
Open Jam
|
Our September meeting in recent
years has often coincided with either the Doylestown or the Dublin
Arts Fest, and this year was no exception. As many of our
regulars were be tied up at Doylestown that day, we again
have free-form meeting, also known as "Y.O.Y.O." |
|
|
August
2, 2015
Circle:
"More Alike Than Different"
|
Think in terms of humanity. As a
species, despite our differences, we're pretty much alike.
However, our erstwhile BCFSS theme-stretchers found many other interpretations. |
|
|
July
12, 2015
Circle:
"Independence"
|
The struggle for independence gave
rise to many broadsides chronicling the adventures of various
heroes and villains of the time, but this circle was not
confined to the American Revolution. There are many other
kinds of independence. |
|
|
June 7, 2015
Feature:
Dick & Helen Weed
|
This husband & wife duo have
been performing together at BCFSS since the society began over
50 years ago. Their program included selections from
the early days of BCFSS right up to the present time. |
|
|
May 3 2015
Circle:
"Potluck"
|
Since we're having a potluck
supper, we figured the theme might as well be potluck also.
You've probably got a song you've been dying to play, but it
never fits the theme. Now's your chance. Oh, and sorry to
disappoint the theme-stretchers. |
|
|
April
12, 2015
Feature:
Highbrow Hound Dogs
|
The
HBHD evolved from the most recent version of Group W-2, playing
a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Latin, Jazz and Bossa Nova music. The
members of this exciting acoustic group are Joel Hanna on
guitar, Mat Clark on double bass, Rory Cohen on drums and David
McCullough on resonator ukulele. All members of the band share
vocal leads lending to a wider variety of songs that they choose
to interpret. Nick Winter opened. |
|
|
March 1, 2015
Canceled due to Snow:
|
Highbrow Hound Dogs feature was
postponed to April |
|
|
February
1, 2015
Circle:
"Shadows"
|
This theme was inspired by (what
else?) Groundhog Day, but your selections did not all relate to
small, furry, sleepy critters. |
|
|
January
4, 2015
Circle:
"The Beach Goes On"
|
What better topic to stimulate our
creative juices in the depths of winter cold and darkness. You
took
us to the beach any way you could and helped us think about sand and
surf and forget about ice and snow. |
|
|
December
7, 2014
Circle:
"Stars and Scars"
|
Note that this was Pearl Harbor Day, which inspired the
theme. However,
songs did not necessarily have to relate to the military.
You could sing about
the heavens or movie celebrities if you liked. |
|
|
November
2, 2014
Circle:
"Black and White"
|
Note that this was immediately after
Halloween, which inspired the color selection. However,
songs did not have to relate to Halloween. |
|
|
October
5, 2014
Feature:
Open Stage
|
The first twelve members to sign up
performed an interesting mix of songs. |
|
|
September
7, 2014
Circle:
"Overboard (or over-bored)"
|
This didin't necessarily have to
involve ships and oceans, although any song involving a sinking
would do. Or maybe something about pirates or walking the
plank. |
|
|
August
3, 2014
Circle:
"Campfire Songs"
|
Who hasn't sung around a campfire
at one time or another? The possiblities are endless. |
|
|
July
13, 2014
Feature:
Don Meyer
|
Don Meyer is a singer-songwriter
who has been around the Philadelphia music scene for many years
now. Don's passion for music comes through loud and clear with
songs that touch your heart with a style that is reminiscent of
the late sixties and early seventies. Referred to as a Champagne
Tenor, Don's extraordinary vocal range is both clear and strong. |
|
|
June 1, 2014
Circle:
"Celebrations"
|
In June we celebrate Flag Day,
Fathers Day, Summer Solstice, and who knows how many
weddings. Everybody picked one or came up with something else to
sing about. |
|
|
May 4, 2014
Potluck Supper + Feature:
"Pete Seeger Tribute"
|
As a tribute to a man who was
arguably the all-time greatest influence on the folk music
scene, we will have performances by about a dozen BCFSS artists.
Songs were ones that were written or performed by Pete, or
somehow related to him. The evening began early
with a potluck supper. |
|
|
April
6, 2014
Circle:
"Rain, Reign, Rein"
|
The possibilities for this therme
were endless. Song subjects ranged from floods, to
monarchies, to horses and almost anything in between. |
|
|
March
2, 2014
Open Jam:
"No Theme"
|
Due to the forecast winter storm
on Sunday 3/2, Don Meyer's feature performance was postponed to
July. For those diehards who were willing to brave
the elements, the meetinghouse wase open for jamming and
socializing from
6:30-10:00. |
|
|
February
2, 2014
Circle:
"Saving Time"
|
Yes, we knew it was Super Sunday, but
most of us were more interested in music than football. We
also knew that Daylight Saving Time was still over a month away,
but it never hurts to think ahead. So think saving time in a
bottle or winding up your grandfather's clock. It's
challenges like this that make this group tick. |
|
|
Jamuary
5, 2014
Circle:
"Ice Capades"
|
It being January, we shared songs
that had something to do with ice. The circle was somewhat
abbreviated due to icy weather, but a good time was had by all
who braved the elements. |
|
|
December
1, 2013
Circle:
"Tree Songs"
|
No, it didn't have to be about
Christmas trees. Any kind of tree would do. Or you could
have covered both
ends of the theme with "In The Pines" (but no one did). |
|
|
November
3, 2013
Feature:
Jamie Cook with Lesley
|
Jamie and Lesley were both greatly
influenced by the singer-songwriters of the ‘60s and ‘70s,
including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Tom Paxton and Phil Ochs
(weren’t we all!). Jamie has drawn his musical inspiration not
just from traditional and contemporary folk artists, but also
from bluegrass, jazz, blues, and depression- era American
standards. |
|
|
October
6, 2013
Circle:
"Work Songs"
|
Work has always been a popular
theme for songwriters, so you should have had no trouble finding a
song that worked. At least if you worked at it. The jam
was followed by a Ukulele workshop, mentored by Dave
McCullough. If you didn't have a uke, Dave assured us that
a guitar capoed at the 5th fret would do fine. |
|
|
September
9, 2013
Circle:
"No Theme"
|
Our September meeting in recent
years has coincided with either the Doylestown or the Dublin
Arts Fest, and this year was no exception. As many of our
regulars were be tied up at Doylestown that day, we again had
a no -theme circle, i.e. play whatever you want. |
|
|
August
4, 2013
Circle:
"No Sweat"
|
Anything to cool us off during the
dog days. Or maybe something REALLY easy. Or
sing ABOUT something REALLY easy. Just don't work up a sweat
over it or you're disqualified. |
|
|
July 7, 2013
Circle:
"Diminished & Augmented"
|
Or as some prefer to say
"Augminished & Demented". You know, those pesky
transisitonal chords that no one can follow when someone leads a
circle song. They're really not all that bad - often you
can just move one finger one fret and get away with it. Or if
you're really creative, trying using those words in a song. |
|
|
June 2, 2013
Feature:
Charles Wells
|
Tonight's meeting featured one of our most creative and imaginative
singer/songwriters, Charles Wells. A long-time BCFSS member,
Charles is the quintessential folk artist, treating a universe
of subjects with humor and insight and backing his words with an
assortment of instruments. |
|
|
May 5, 2013
Feature:
Potluck Supper +
"Shape Note Demo & Workshop"
|
After stuffing face at our potluck
supper, we joined in some Sacred Harp singing, led by Dan
Hunter. For many it was our first chance to learn and participate in this joyful and
moving traditional American vocal music (also known as Shape
Note singing). Dan was joined by other members of the local Sacred Harp
community. |
|
|
April
7, 2013
Circle:
"Just Born"
|
Sure, give birth to a new song about
marshmallow peeps if you're so inclined. Otherwise the
choice of songs about birth was extensive. Of course there's
always the genre that some blues fans can never resist about wishing one
had never been born. |
|
|
March
3, 2013
Circle:
"Wind Songs"
|
Well, it was the windy month, after
all. Many songs deal with the wind. It may be wayward, or it may
be called "Mariah". Or it may just "Blow
ye". Or maybe even the sound of the wind near Aragon
Mill. You get the idea. |
|
|
February
3, 2013
Circle:
"Soutern Comfort"
|
Songs of the South, Songs of
Comfort, Songs of Liqueur. Or even the Superbowl, which was held
in the South this year at the same time as our meeting. |
|
|
January
6, 2013
Feature:
Sterling Silver
|
Stories. It's all about ... the stories. The
incredible stories. Each song a story that begs to be told.
Love, murder, loyalty, passion, thievery, treachery, wit,
charm, deception, redemption. Novels in three minutes and
eighteen seconds. Tom Tucker provided the musical context and
theme, Wendy Huber laid out the prose, and John Wight tied it
together with low sounds.
|
|
|
December
2, 2012
Circle:
"No Sadness, No Death"
|
We know this put a serious
crimp in the style of some of our regulars, but for once we
wanted to hear songs that were not sad and where no one dies.
Or course that leaves out murder ballads, failed romances, and
most bluegrass songs, but there were lots of happy songs
still out there. |
|
|
November
4, 2012
Circle:
"Choices"
|
Since this was to be two days before
the entire country made a momentous choice,we thought we'd go
with the conccept, not that your song had to political - any
kind of choice will do. |
|
|
October
7, 2012
Feature:
"Open Stage"
|
For lack of anyone else to feature,
we opened our stage to a dozen of so of our regular performers
and had a great time. |
|
|
September
9, 2012
Circle:
"No Theme"
|
Our September meeting in recent
years has coincided with either the Doylestown or the Dublin
Arts Fest, and this year was no exception. As some of our
regulars were tied up at Dublin that day, we will again had
a no -theme circle, i.e. play whatever you want. |
|
|
August
5, 2012
Circle:
"Keep Your Cool"
|
Undoubtedly keeping cool
was be on
everyone's mind at this time of year. Our performers gave us some mental
pictures of ice and snow or at least Cool Water to take our
minds off the summer heat. |
|
|
July 1, 2012
Circle:
"Wild Things"
|
Other things besides plants can be
wild. We heard about all kinds of wild things besides Wild Irish Rose, Wild Mountain
Thyme, and Wildflowers. |
|
|
June 3, 2012
Circle:
"Who's Your Daddy"
|
In honor of Fathers Day. But
given the title, we knew our members could twist this around in
all kinds of unthinkable ways. |
|
|
May 6, 2012
Feature:
Saverio Tribute
|
This month featured a musical
memorial tribute to one of our all-time favorite BCFSS
singer/songwriters, Saverio Minicucci. We heard many
Saverio compositions performed by various talented BCFSS
musicians. |
|
|
April
1, 2012
Circle:
"Feet Don't Touch The Ground"
|
Yes, it was April Fool's Day,
but that did not necessarily have anything to do with our
theme. Unless you wanted it to. |
|
|
March
4, 2012
Feature:
Millville Rose
|
Millville Rose is a trio consisting
of Nick and Lorrie Holm and Shawn Rose, playing mostly original
country-flavored compositions. |
|
|
February
5, 2012
Circle:
"Fair or Foul"
|
We had songs about the weather,
the upcoming baseball season, the county fair, or anything else
that has to do with fairness or foulness. |
|
|
January
8, 2012
Feature:
Jacob & Gretta Stone
|
Jacob and Gretta are long-time
BCFSS members who were founding members of the group, Faith and
Practice, before leaving the area to take on new careers out
west. Now that they're back, we got another chance to
enjoy Getta's singing and guitar playing and Jacob's masterful banjo
picking. |
|
|
December
4,
2011
Circle:
"Fire & Ice"
|
We shared songs to sing in front of a
warm fire on an icy night. Or anything else related to
fire or ice. |
|
|
November
6,
2011
Circle:
"Blue, Blew, Bleu"
|
We welcomed songs about the blues,
wind, noses, cheese, or anything related to these three words. |
|
|
October
2,
2011
Feature:
"Rounds"
|
Several intrepid performers led the
group in a series of rounds - some we'd never heard of. |
|
|
September
11,
2011
Circle:
"No Theme"
|
Since many of us were at the
Dublin Arts Fest until 5, this was a not-so-challenging open
circle. |
|
|
August
14,
2011
Circle:
"Locks & Keys"
|
Door locks and keys, hair, canals,
jails, small islands off FL. The possibilities are
endless. Except we wouldn't let you get away with "this song
is in the KEY of G". |
|
|
July
10, 2011
Circle:
"Silent Circle"
|
Play anything you want; it doesn't
have to relate to silence, but no words of introduction or
explanation are allowed. We get through the circle very
quickly this way. |
|
|
June 5,
2011
Circle:
"Water You Up To?"
|
The supply of songs relating to
water was virtually limitless. Rivers, Oceans, Rain, Ships,
etc. |
|
|
May 1,
2011
Circle:
"No Theme"
|
We were originally scheduled
to host our friends from the Full Circle Music Society in
Reading to share some songs with us. Unfortunately, they
were unable to make it, so we improvised with an open circle. |
|
|
April
3, 2011
Feature:
"Open Stage"
|
Some folks used this as a warm-up for your showcase
performance the following week. |
|
|
March 6, 2011
Circle:
"Progressive Theme"
|
Here we go again with that totally
demented progressive theme circle. The theme varies in the
course of the circle as each song has to be related in some
(often obscure) way to the previous one. |
|
|
February
6, 2011
Circle:
"Love Gone Wrong"
|
Probably the number one theme found
in all genres of music. The possibilities are
endless. |
|
|
January
9, 2011
Feature:
"Wild Mustard"
|
In the best tradition of folk
music, Wild Mustard takes four performers with strong music
credentials and approaches traditional songs in a new way, and
new songs with deference. |
|
|
December
5,
2010
Circle:
"Ever Green"
|
Here you can focus on the holiday
season, or broaden your horizons to anything that's either green
or eternal (or both). |
|
|
November
7,
2010
Circle:
"Even Odds"
|
The date was 11/7 (or 7-11, if
you're from the E.U.), so that got us to thinking about gambling
odds. Naturally our members came through with many other
applications of the two key words, "Even" and
"Odd". |
|
|
October
3, 2010
Feature:
"Tecla and John"
|
Tecla Gay and John Catteral put on
a great show of country/bluegrass standards backed by Johns
masterful guitar, banjo, and mandolin picking. |
|
|
September
12,
2010
Circle:
"No Theme"
|
Those us who spend the weekend at
the Doylestown Arts Fest often lose consciousness by meeting
time, so this is an open circle with no theme, just to make
life easy. Yes, we know -- the lack of a theme makes it
harder for some. |
|
|
August
1, 2010
Circle:
"Making Tracks"
|
OK, so this could be about running
away, trolleys and trains, or serious drug addiction. Lots
of opportunity for creativity here. |
|
|
July
11, 2010
Circle:
"Stars & Stripes"
|
This wasn't necessarily a patriotic
theme. There are lots of songs about stars and somewhat
fewer about stripes, but we're sure you can think of
something. |
|
|
June 6,
2010
Circle:
"Bustin' Out"
|
No, this wasn't a Dolly Parton
tribute, although Dolly's songs couldn't be ruled out. Surely
there are other thoughts that come to mind when "bustin'"
is mentioned. |
|
|
May 2, 2010
Feature:
"Full Circle Music Society"
|
On this night we welcomed our friends
from the Full Circle Music Society in Reading back to share some
songs with us. After a
two-year hiatus, it's a real pleasure to get back together with
our brothers and sisters in song. |
|
|
April
11, 2010
Feature:
"Saddle Sores"
|
The Saddle Sores feature Del Conner
on guitar & vocals; Paul Goldberg, songwriter and
self-professed troublemaker, on guitar, slide &
vocals; Kathryn Reeder on bass & cello; and Amy Wagner
on guitar, fiddle & vocals. This group likes to have
fun and especially enjoys originals, old slide blues, folk,
swing and old country tunes. |
|
|
March 7, 2010
CIRCLE:
"Progressive Circle"
|
Here we go again with that totally
demented progressive theme circle we came up with a number of
years ago. The theme varies in the course of the circle as each
song has to be related in some way to the previous one. |
|
|
February 7, 2010
CIRCLE:
"Coming & Going"
|
This theme is wide open.
There's hardly a song that doesn't involve coming from or going
to someone, something, or some place. |
|
|
January
3, 2010
FEATURE:
Bob Mecklenburger
|
Skilled in a variety of flatpicking and finger-picking guitar styles,
Bob sings
his own music and that of numerous folk singers and singer-songwriters of the
60s, 70s and 80s, and up to today. Bob’s strong baritone voice has been described as reminiscent of John
Denver, Jim Croce, and other distinctive singers of the folk genre. |
|
|
December
6, 2009
CIRCLE:
"Family"
|
The time from Thanksgiving to the
end of December is traditionally oriented toward family
activities, so we're trying to do our part. Anything that
has to do with relatives or even relativity will certainly pass
muster. |
|
|
November
1, 2009
CIRCLE:
"Islands"
|
"Islands in the Stream"?
"Jamaica Farewell"? Hawaiian music? Folks
came up with a lot of different approaches
to this theme. |
|
|
October
4, 2009
FEATURE:
Dave McCullough & Friends
|
Dave is our past president and
active member of Group W and Peanut Butter Jellyfish. He
plays almost every kind of music and brought in additional performers
to back him up on Mandolin, Bass, Dobro, and Banjo. |
|
|
September
13, 2009
CIRCLE:
No Theme
|
Those us who spend the weekend at
the Doylestown Arts Fest often lose consciousness by meeting
time, so this was an open circle with no theme, just to make
life easy. Yes, we know -- the lack of a theme makes it
harder for some. |
|
|
August
2, 2009
FEATURE:
Singer/Songwriter Showcase
|
This was a round-robin format
with three singer/songwriters, Kay Ritter, Sandy Bender
(instrumentalist) and Charles Wells. We could not have picked
three more distinct performing styles. |
|
|
July
12, 2009
CIRCLE:
Silent Circle
|
The deal here was that no
introductions or words of explanation were permitted. Each
performer just went anonymously into a song on whatever topic suits
their
fancy. We even heard a parody of "Sounds of
Silence". These
circles move right along, leaving us plenty of time for our
usual eating, jamming, and socializing. |
|
|
June 7, 2009
CIRCLE:
"Mine!"
|
We had songs about something
you possess or someone you wish to possess, as well as songs
that just
relate to a hole in the ground from which minerals are
removed. |
|
|
May 3, 2009
POTLUCK
SUPPER + FEATURE:
Spring Mix
|
This meeting started off with a potluck dinner (A-M: entree, N-Z:
Side/Salad). Then we featured Spring Mix, a multi-instrumental trio who specialize in
traditional instrumental and vocal music. Accompanying themselves on guitar,
whistle, bodhran, bass, dulcimer, banjo, and various percussion instruments,
their repertoire covers old-time dance tunes, sea shanties, Irish dance and folk
songs, classic folk songs, and the occasional contemporary song. |
|
|
April
5, 2009
CIRCLE:
Progressive Theme
|
Here we go again with that totally
demented progressive theme circle we came up with a number of
years ago. The theme varies in the course of the circle as each
song has to be related in some way to the previous one. |
|
|
March
1, 2009
FEATURE:
Fretnoughts
|
Despite the threat of snow, the
Fretnoughts, Sharon, Joel, and
Nick, played a wide variety of tunes, some familiar and some
original. They accompanied their vocal harmonies on guitar,
mandolin, dobro, and harmonica. |
|
|
February
1, 2009
CIRCLE:
Something Smells Good
|
The forest after a rain, a pie in
the oven, perfume, or maybe the air after your candidate won the
election. Whatever stimulates your olfactory sense
and motivates your vocal inclinations. It's said that
familiar smells and sounds both inspire memories. Must be a
connection there. |
|
|
January
4, 2009
FEATURE:
Open Stage
|
Unfortunately, our featured act, Spring Mix, had to
postpone to a later date because of a business commitment.
Instead, we had an open stage format in which the first 12
volunteers who signed up at the meeting perform one song
each. Spring Mix was rescheduled to May, 2009 |
|
|
December
7, 2008
CIRCLE:
Songs of Infamy
|
No, the performances didn't have to
be infamous, and although this particular date has lived in
infamy for 67 years, it was not necessary to address the events of
1941 or even 2001. Almost every infamous event in history
has been commemorated in song, so there was a wealth of
material. Or the infamy may be something fictitious. |
|
|
November
2, 2008
CIRCLE:
Spirits & Spirituals
|
Just one day after All-Saints Day,
we'll be addressing the worlds of spirits and
spirituality. Be it spooky or inspirational, we're ready
to hear it. Our
usual hour or two of eating, jamming, and socializing will
follow. |
|
|
October
5, 2008
FEATURE:
Chuck Schaeffer & Friends
|
Playing music based largely on life experiences, inspired by a wide range of artists across
many different musical genres, Chuck Schaeffer combines a blend of folk,
bluegrass, country, country rock and Americana. Chuck is a regular performer on Heartlands Hayride
WDVR-FM,
and participates
in WXPN Musicians on Call. On this evening he was accompanied by long-time
BCFSS performers, Tom &
Marianne Tucker. |
|
|
September
7, 2007
CIRCLE:
No Theme
|
Those us who spend the weekend at
the Doylestown Arts Fest often lose consciousness by meeting
time, so this was an open circle with no theme, just to make
life easy. Yes, we know -- the lack of a theme makes it
harder for some. |
|
|
August
3, 2008
FEATURE:
Jack Butler, Tecla Gay, Richard Hunt
|
Jack Butler, Tecla Gay, and Richard
Hunt, shared songs with us in a round-robin format. |
|
|
July
13, 2008
CIRCLE:
Salute to the States
|
Inspired by the Independence Day
holiday, the first states that come to mind are the 50 that make
up the USA, but we're betting that our creative songmeisters can
come up with references to many other states, geopolitical and
otherwise (state of anxiety, perhaps). |
|
|
June 1,
2008
CIRCLE:
Country Classics
|
Everybody has their own idea about
what constitutes a country classic. Is it Hank & E.T.
& Loretta, or is it Jimmie Rodgers and the
Carters? Or maybe Bill and Lester and Earl?
Maybe even Roy and Gene. Whatever it is, we pretty much
heard it all. |
|
|
May 4,
2008, 5:00 pm
POTLUCK SUPPER
+
FEATURE:
OPEN MIKE
|
It has become a tradition
to invite our brothers and sisters in song from Reading, PA to
be our guests at our annual potluck supper. After stuffing face,
they offer their ample talents in exchange for ours. A group of
BCFSS musicians return the favor at an upcoming FCMS
meeting. These music swaps are always a delightful change of
pace. Regrettably,
Full Circle was not be able to make it this year, so we had an
open mike instead. We hope to resume our FCMA exchanges in
the future. |
|
|
April
6, 2008
CIRCLE:
Progressive Theme
|
Once again it's that totally
demented progressive theme circle we came up with a number of
years ago. The theme varies in the course of the circle as each
song has to be related in some way to the previous one. If
you have a particular song you wish to perform, better get your
hand up first at the beginning or hope someone else does a song
you can relate to it. |
|
|
March
2, 2008
FEATURE:
Steve Begley
|
Just a few years back. Steve Begley, a.k.a. Skip
Flatt, blew several decades worth of dust off his old Gibson
J-50 and hit the open mike scene. Now he specializes in
Piedmont-Style finger-picking. His repertoire can best be
described as "Americana" featuring traditional &
contemporary folk music, old-time rags & blues. |
|
|
February
3, 2008
CIRCLE:
Matters of the Heart
|
Now how hard could this be?
In February the winter is beginning to wane, Valentine's Day is
here, and our fancy lightly turns to thoughts of...what
else??? No subject on earth has inspired more music that
matters of the heart. Many songs may not have
"heart" in the title or even in the lyric, but it's
the thought that counts, right? |
|
|
January
6, 2008
FEATURE:
Easily A Muse
|
Easily A Muse is one of our most
recent collaborations, featuring the A Capella vocals of Carl
Hemenway and Gwen Huber. The unusual combination of Gwen's
high voice with Carl's low voice give this duo a
unique sound. When the group first formed, they considered
calling the group "Tony and Kim," after Tony Soprano
and Kim Basinger. But they thought better of it. |
|
|
December
2, 2007
CIRCLE:
Saints & Sinners
|
Play us a gospel piece if you're so
inclined. If gospel is not your thing, there are lots
of secular numbers that would fit the bill. Why you
could even salute New Orleans and their football team. Now
that's what we mean by "theme stretching". |
|
|
November
4, 2007
CIRCLE:
Changing Time(s)
|
In case you hadn't noticed,
Congress has moved the dreaded end of Daylight Saving Time to
November this year, so here was a chance to put in your two cents
on the subject, or anything else relating to it. |
|
|
October
7,
2007
FEATURE:
Delaware Crossing
|
Tonight we featured Delaware
Crossing, our "acoustic duo of 'mature' guys" (their words), who
play almost every flavor of acoustic music imaginable. The focus for this acoustic group has been on borrowing the good
ol'
stuff and making it their own! |
|
|
September 9, 2007
CIRCLE:
No Theme
|
Those us who spend the weekend at
the Doylestown Arts Fest often lose consciousness by meeting
time, so this was be an open circle with no theme, just to make
life easy. Yes, we know -- the lack of a theme makes it
harder for some. |
|
|
August
5,
2007
FEATURE:
Singer/Songwriter Showcase
|
This format has proved quite
successful over the past year or so. This month three more
of our singer/songwriter members, Will See, Toby Hill, & Joanne Adler
strutted their best stuff in a round robin format consisting of 3 songs
each. Regrettably, our fourth scheduled participant, Marti
Rogers, had to bow out due to a family emergency, but she will
undoubtedly appear in a future showcase. |
|
|
July 1, 2007
CIRCLE:
Speechless
|
This didn't mean you had to sing
about speech (or the lack of it). The deal here was that no
introductions or words of explanation were permitted. You
just went anonymously into a song on whatever topic suited your
fancy. If it was about silence, so much the better, although
"Sounds of Silence" was done the previous month. These
circles move right along, leaving us plenty of time for our eating, jamming, and socializing. |
|
|
June 3, 2007
CIRCLE:
Vision/Blindness
|
The possibilities here are endless,
from "Beautiful Brown Eyes" to "Seven Spanish
angels" (by Ray Charles). Or almost anything else you
can envision. |
|
|
May 6,
2007
POTLUCK SUPPER
+
FEATURE:
FULL CIRCLE MUSIC SOCIETY
|
It has become a tradition
to invite our brothers and sisters in song from Reading, PA to
be our guests at our annual potluck supper. After stuffing face,
they offer their ample talents in exchange for ours. A group of
BCFSS musicians return the favor at an upcoming FCMS
meeting. These music swaps are always a delightful change of
pace. |
|
|
April
1, 2007
FEATURE:
Open Mike
|
First 12 signups at the meeting got to do a number and show off
their stuff. If you've never soloed in front of a group
before, there has never been a better opportunity to start. |
|
|
March 4,
2007
CIRCLE:
March Forth
|
This may be the first time ever
that the date itself has matched our theme. We heard
marches, and songs about marching off, marching home
again, marching through Georgia, or just the month of
March. |
|
|
February
4, 2007
CIRCLE:
We've Got Issues
|
Songs about issues of concern. Maybe your
issue is the state of your favorite franchise whose season is
long since over. It's your call, but no instant replays
allowed. |
|
|
January
7, 2007
FEATURE:
Unsafe At Any Speed!
|
"Unsafe" is their name,
and not merely an observation. This was a slightly
early observation of the folk, county, gospel, bluegrass, etc.,
etc. quartet's 15th anniversary on the BCFSS stage. |
|
|
December
3, 2006
CIRCLE:
Wise Men & Otherwise
|
Despite being vaguely related to
the holiday tradition, this theme was really wide open.
Know any songs about Einstein or Newton? |
|
|
November
5, 2006
FEATURE:
Singer-Songwriters
|
This was a follow-up to our
successful singer-songwriter feature in August.
Singer-songwriters Carol Deaver, Wes Powers, John Fox, and Bert
Coffman presented their best stuff
in a round robin format. |
|
|
October
8, 2006
CIRCLE:
Creepy Crawly Things
|
In honor of Hallowe'en,
naturally! This brought out (in song, of course)
a host of monsters, ghouls, and other creepy crawly
critters. |
|
|
September
10, 2006
OPEN CIRCLE
|
This was the end of the second day
of the Doylestown Arts Fest, so we decided not to challenge our
weary participants with a theme. |
|
|
August
6, 2006
FEATURE:
Singer-Songwriters
|
Four BCFSS singer-songwriters presented their best stuff
in a round robin format. We will do this again soon. |
|
|
July 9, 2006
CIRCLE:
Bastille Day
|
No one lost their head over this
one (we hope!). They just came up with something revolutionary. It
was the best of songs and the worst of songs, but we didn't cut
anyone off short. |
|
|
June 4, 2006
CIRCLE:
Songs About Instruments
|
There were lots of
possibilities, like "Oh, Susanna" (...with a banjo on my
knee...) and "Mr. Tambourine Man". Almost
every instrument imaginable was represented in some obscure way
or another. |
|
|
May 7,
2006
POTLUCK SUPPER
+
FEATURE:
FULL CIRCLE MUSIC SOCIETY
|
It has become a tradition
to invite our brothers and sisters in song from Reading, PA to
be our guests at our annual potluck supper. After stuffing face,
they offered their ample talents in exchange for ours. A group of
BCFSS musicians return the favor at an upcoming FCMS
meeting. These music swaps are always a delightful change of
pace. |
|
|
April
2, 2006
FEATURE:
Joe Mahon
|
Joe sang a mix of traditional and
original tunes, accompanied on banjo and guitar. His kids
provided his source of inspiration and motivation as they were
growing up, but he is now back to playing for his own amusement. |
|
|
March
5,
2006
PROGRESSIVE THEME
CIRCLE
|
Once again it was that totally
demented progressive theme circle we came up with a number of
years ago. The theme varies in the course of the circle as each
song has to be related in some way to the previous one. |
|
|
February
12, 2006
JAM:
Informal gathering for brave travellers
|
This was an informal gathering in
deference to the whims of Mother Nature who had the audacity
to snow upon our meeting location. Two hardy souls
actually braved the elements. |
|
|
January
8, 2006
FEATURE:
Marlowe-Hill
|
The music
of Jane Marlowe and Toby Hill can be
described as a fun alternative to “adult/alternative”
music, rendering tunes that range in style from “tin pan
alley,” to country-blues, to more edgy folk-rock numbers. |
|
|
December
4, 2005
CIRCLE:
Earth, Wind, Fire
|
Innumerable songs make reference to
one of more of these elements. There's no end to the
possibilities, and we heard lots of them. |
|
|
November
6, 2005
FEATURE:
Marti Rogers and Tom Levy
(and friends)
|
It had been too many years since
Marti last graced our feature stage. Joined by her
husband, Tom, on bass and a host of other accompanists, she entertained us in her inimitable authentic folk style. |
|
|
October
2, 2005
FEATURE:
Open Stage
|
The stage was open for an hour or so
to anyone who wished to sign up at the meeting -- first come, first
served. We had a dozen volunteer performers for what turned out
to be an excellent show. |
|
|
September
11, 2005
CIRCLE:
Tools of the Trade
|
We heard no musical saws, but heard
songs about an incredible variety of other tools and tools or trades.
And a couple of really AWfuL puns. |
|
|
August
7, 2005
CIRCLE:
But Siriusly, Folks
|
It was the "Dog Days" of
August, which you probably realize are named after Sirius, the
Dog Star. So we sang about dogs, stars, hot weather, or any
other Sirius subject. |
|
|
July
10, 2005
CIRCLE:
No Talking
|
This was a newly-conceived meeting
format in which we participated in a circle that had no
theme. What made this no-theme circle different is that
absolutely no spoken words were permitted. Introductions
of new members and guests took place before the circle
began. It was the fastest circle anyone could remember,
i.e. more time for food and jamming. |
|
|
June 5, 2005
FEATURE:
Open Stage
|
The stage was open for an hour or so
to anyone who wished to sign up at the meeting -- first come, first
served. We had 13 volunteer performers for what turned out
to be an excellent show. |
|
|
May 1, 2005
INFORMAL GATHERING
|
This was a newly-conceived meeting
format which was actually no format at all. There was no
formal meeting because our annual Spring Concert was the night
before, but 13 hardy souls showed up for an intimate jam
session, and a good time was had by all. |
|
|
April
3, 2005
CIRCLE:
House of Cards
|
There are lots of songs involving
houses and lots more about cards. What a deal!
A few really clever folks put the two together. |
|
|
March
6, 2005
FEATURE:
W.a.T.T
|
W.a.T.T. stands for Wasserman and
Two Tuckers. That would be flat-picking virtuoso, Dave
Wasserman, along with the amazing duo of Tom and Marianne
Tucker, who harmonize delightfully while playing almost every
instrument known to folk singers. |
|
|
February
13, 2005
CIRCLE:
Love Letters
|
How much imagination does this
take? We'll be doing love songs, letter songs, and maybe
some songs that are actually about love letters. All in
honor of Valentines Day, of course. |
|
|
January 9, 2005
FEATURE:
Peter Johnson
|
Peter Johnson is from Richboro, PA
and has performed as a solo guitarist/vocalist in area pubs and
restaurants. He has been a BCFSS member for the past two
years. |
|
|
December 5, 2004
CIRCLE:
Rime & PUNishment
|
Rime: Another name for
frost.
PUNishment: Don't the CAPs give it away?
We heard songs about ice, songs based on puns, songs about
punishment, and even puns related to frozen punishment. |
|
|
November 7, 2004
FEATURE:
Nancy & Charlie
|
Nancy Shill and Charlie Pellegrino
entertained us with some hot fiddle licks and
plenty of old time music. |
|
|
October 3, 2004
CIRCLE:
Trick or Treat
|
C'mon folks, how much explanation
does this one need? Do a trick (song), get a treat (as
always). Songs with tricks, songs about treats, or scary
ghost and monster songs. Costumes were optional. |
|
|
September 12, 2004
FEATURE:
Ken & Donna
|
Music brought Ken and Donna
together and harmony eventually led to matrimony. Their
expert picking and smooth vocal blends made for a delightful
evening. Did they do "The Kiss at the End of the
Rainbow"? You bet! And oh, by the way, if
you're Dave Carter fan, you weren't disappointed. |
|
|
August 1, 2004
CIRCLE:
Sewing Circle
|
There was no need bring your sewing
machine (unless, of course, it's a Singer, or you could play a
tune on it) We had songs that had to to with threads or
cloth or any kind of needlework. And some humorous numbers
kept us in stitches. Actually we had more songs about
sowing than about sewing. |
|
|
July 11, 2004
CIRCLE:
Days of the Week
|
Lots of songs refer to days of the
week. We had every day from Sunday through Saturday and a
many other references to today, and tonight, but no one got
creative and came up with one about daze of the
weak. |
|
|
June 6, 2004
CIRCLE:
Gems & Precious Metals
|
Some days are diamonds, some days
are stones, but this day was be a gem. Many songs have
been written about gold and jewels -- and we heard 'em. |
|
|
May 2, 2004
FEATURE:
Full Circle Music Society
|
It has become an annual tradition
to invite our brothers and sisters in song from Reading, PA to
be our guests at our annual potluck supper. After stuffing face,
they offered their ample talents in exchange for ours. A group
of BCFSS musicians returns the favor at an upcoming FCMS
meeting. These music swaps are always a delightful change of
pace. |
|
|
April 4, 2004
CIRCLE:
April Showers
|
Let it rain, let it rain....
This proved to be a soggy circle, as all offerings had have some
connection with rain. |
|
|
March 7, 2004
FEATURE:
Northbranch
|
Northbranch
is one of our more recently formed groups. This eclectic
quintet is stacked with talented and experienced
musicians. |
|
|
February 1, 2004
CIRCLE:
PRESIDENTS & PRECEDENTS
|
A nod to President's Day. If
you couldn't think of a presidential song, a precedent or
precedence would do. If you could combine them, so much
the better. |
|
|
January 4, 2004
FEATURE:
Group W
|
Lisa
Wildman and Dave McCullough
have added Saverio Minicucci to form
one of our newest groups. The result was more than
gratifying. |
|
|
December 7, 2003
CIRCLE:
WAR & PEACE
|
In remembrance of Pearl Harbor, of
course. This subject has always provided fertile ground
for musical inspiration. Perhaps nothing else in human
experience stirs the emotions to such an extent. |
|
|
November 2, 2003
FEATURE:
NEW MEMBERS
|
So many talented new members had
recently joined our ranks that we decided to feature a group of
them in what might be the first public performance for some. |
|
|
October 12, 2003
CIRCLE:
SONGS OF DISCOVERY
|
This was in honor of Columbus Day.
Lots of songs have been written about discoverers and
discovery. But we wouldn't let you get away with "I
just discovered this song". |
|
|
September 7, 2003
CIRCLE:
NO THEME
|
Regrettably, our featured
performers, Ken Yavit and Donna Ryder had to postpone due to a
family emergency. We hope to reschedule them real soon.
Meanwhile, we had an open circle to keep everyone's life simple. |
|
|
August 3, 2003
CIRCLE:
SONGS ABOUT SONGS
|
This was agreed by the participants
to have been one of our all-time best circles. We may do
it again some day. |
|
|
July 13, 2003
CIRCLE:PHOBIAs
|
Everyone has phobias: some are just
more bizarre than others. Many are entertaining, and
those are the one we especially wanted to hear about. |
|
|
June 1, 2003
FEATURE:
BENT HARPOON
|
There's never a dull moment when Bent
Harpoon takes the stage. This zany duo defies
description, but their off-the-wall humor and amazing vocal
talents never fail to please. |
|
|
May 4, 2003
POTLUCK SUPPER
+
FEATURE:
FULL CIRCLE MUSIC SOCIETY
|
It has become an annual tradition
to invite our brothers and sisters in song from Reading, PA to
be our guests at our annual potluck supper. After stuffing face,
they offer their ample talents in exchange for ours. A group of
BCFSS musicians return the favor at an upcoming FCMS
meeting. These music swaps are always a delightful change of
pace. |
|
|
April 6, 2003
CIRCLE:
BODY PARTS
|
Yes, we hear you snickering
already. Well just remember this is a family-oriented
society. Our performers were creative enough to pull this
off without getting us reported to the vice squad (but not by
much). |
|
|
March 2, 2003
FEATURE:
BLYND SYGHT
|
If you love those "Old
Time" tunes, this is the group for you. In one
short year these 5 guys have developed such a remarkable
repertoire of blazing instrumentals that your fingers will get
tired just watching. And they do it without actually using
a fiddle (but they do have a mandolin -- the closest plucked
instrument to a fiddle and just as good) |
|
|
February 2, 2003
CIRCLE:
GROUNDHOG DAY
|
If you saw the movie, well don't
think this gave you a license to repeat the same verse 7
times. Beside woodchucks, we heard about shadows, or
winter turning into spring, or climbing into or out of a
hole. |
|
|
January 5, 2003
FEATURE:
NO WINDOWS
|
Tonight we observed the 10th
anniversary of the first public appearance of our famous
"Four Women In Harmony", a.k.a. "No
Windows". It's hard to believe it was way back in
December 1992 that these talented ladies first graced our stage. |
|
