Ear Whacks

Concerted Effort: The Hudson Valley Folk Guild

If ever you need confirmation that New Year’s resolutions really do bring about new and lasting developments, look no further than the Hudson Valley Folk Guild. Twenty-two years ago, Kevin Becker and his friends resolved that in the new year they would play music somewhere other than local bars. The problem was that musicians were relegated to the background. “We were interested in playing music and having somebody actually listen,” said Becker. The initial result was the starting of an open mike, every other Sunday night at the Amber Lantern in Hyde Park, devoted to the playing of traditional American music. After two years those Sunday nights moved to the Poughkeepsie Unitarian Church where they officially became the meetings of the “Hudson Valley Folk Guild,” held on the third Saturday evening of every month.

Four years passed and the folk community had grown to around 85 people, giving rise to another chapter of the Guild. Founded by Bruce Morrison and Tom and Geri White, the second chapter was based in Patterson and still holds its jam sessions on the second Saturday of the month. A third chapter sprung up in 1993 in Clintondale and has since moved to Kingston, where it hosts an open mike on the month’s first Saturday.

Sometime in the mid-90s, folk interest began stirring again in the birthplace of the Guild’s original chapter. Regular yet informal gatherings were hosted by Steve Allen in his aptly-named Hyde Park bookstore, The Fiddler’s Green. When the bookstore closed in 1996, the community surrounding it refused to dissolve. They formed the Guild’s fourth chapter, commemoratively dubbed “The Friends of Fiddler’s Green.”
Though it occasionally features performances by its own members, The Friends of Fiddler’s Green has a decidedly different mission from its fellow chapters. “The Friends” focuses on providing a steady Hudson Valley venue for the travelling professional folk musician. It complements the other chapters’ local jamborees by putting on two concerts per month featuring nationally and internationally known artists. Phil Stain, Gordon Bok, Priscilla Herdman, Amy Fradon, and many others, have all been showcased by The Friends of Fiddler’s Green.

The Guild’s inner workings are powered by a core group of dedicated individuals. Kevin Becker founded the Guild over 20 years ago and remains very active today. Linda Breithaupt currently acts as director, and Lynn Bernstein takes care of publicity, finances and booking for The Friends of Fiddler’s Green. Each chapter has its own secretary and treasurer, and countless others pitch in to keep the music playing. Many of them musicians themselves, they work hard for the Guild year after year, and they do it, it seems, because the return comes back much greater than their investment. Not only do the Guild’s regular gatherings perpetuate a lively music scene, keeping members musically nourished, but the Guild also provides community. Members come with their families. Generations intermingle. People from different townships make each other’s acquaintance. Phone numbers are exchanged, and new bands get started.

“A lot of friendships have formed through the Guild,” says one long-time member.
Guild members also use their own small community to help the community at large. Concerts are regularly put on for the purpose of helping local groups. Through these efforts, the Guild has given donations to many worthwhile causes, from fighting muscular dystrophy to supporting the local arts council.

In the summer, monthly open mikes cease, and the four chapters join forces to put on two major events. One, a concert, usually features a Big Name and is intended as a fundraiser. The other is the Guild’s annual picnic, which brings together members and families from all four chapters for a summer celebration.
The Kingston, Patterson, and Poughkeepsie chapters of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild will hold their monthly open mikes through the spring. These jam sessions are open to the public for $5 and to Guild members for only $4. Certain members or guest musicians are occasionally featured at these functions.
The Friends of Fiddler’s Green present a pair of pairs—folk duos, that is—at the Methodist church in Hyde Park this month. Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gillette will appear on Saturday, February 2 at 8 PM. Vocalist Mansen’s most recent works are the acclaimed Voices albums with Priscilla Herdman and Anne Hills. Gillette, a guitarist/songwriter, has recorded many albums and his songs have been recorded by hundreds of artists.

On Saturday the 16, Alien Folk Life will descend from Albany to present some of their musical concoctions. While their name suggests little green men with instruments, they are in fact an average-sized man and woman, not green, but with instruments. If there is anything alien about them, it may be the 21st century twists they put on old-time ballads.
Both February shows, and all regular events sponsored by The Friends of Fiddler’s Green, cost $6 for the general public, $5 for members, and $4 for seniors and students. The cost of membership is a reasonable $10 per year or $15 per family per year. Members receive a regular newsletter giving details on all of the Guild’s upcoming events.

For more information on the Hudson Valley Folk Guild call 483-0650.

—Joshua Cohen