The 2021 Old Songs Festival, June 25–27 is VIRTUAL!

We’re still putting the full schedule together, but just like the in-person festival, it will feature over 70 artists and include: “Main Stage” Evening Concerts, Workshops, Learn Hows, Dance (really), Family Events, Open Mics, Sings, Sacred Harp, Crafts Area, sightings of Roger the Jester, and more!

John Conolly, the Man from Fiddlers’ Green

Thursday, June 17 at 2:30 pm EDT

A chance to spend an afternoon with John Conolly (virtually). Old Songs, Inc, the Folk Music Society of New York, Inc, Folk Song Society of Greater Boston, and Branford Folk Song Society) have teamed up with Janie Meneely & Rob Van Sante (Falcon Audio Visual Arts Studio) to bring you this live-streamed event.

John Conolly honed his songwriting around the fish docks of Grimsby, a once bustling fishing port perched at the mouth of England’s Humber River. As he watched the fishing fleet limp into oblivion with the demise of a once-thriving industry, he began to chronicle the stories of the men who worked on the boats and along the docks. Fiddlers’ Green, which he wrote in 1964, has become firmly entrenched in the canon of maritime music, along with a number of his other songs: Punch and Judy Man, Trawling Trade, Men of the Sea (with Bill Meek), The Widowmaker — the list is long. Conolly performs with warmth, good humor and lilting accompaniment on guitar and melodeon.

Can’t be there at 2:30? The concert will be recorded and available through the weekend to view at your leisure.

Buy Tickets:

The concert will be streamed on YouTube. A link to the concert and a reminder will be emailed to registered attendees a day before the concert. The Concert will remain available for viewing for at least a week after the live premiere. No Refunds.

2021 Virtual Festival Shirts are here!

Many different colors and varieties available including T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts.

Shirts will remain on sale through the Festival. Any shirts
purchased now will be delivered after the Festival.

Buy Festival Shirts

Missed a Virtual Concert? Watch them here!

Old Songs: From the Vault

Next Broadcast: Sunday, June 20 at 6 pm EDT

Every Third Sunday of the month at 6 pm EDT
with Encore broadcasts at 11 pm EDT and the following Wednesday at noon EDT

Old Songs, in collaboration with Ron Olesko’s Folk Music Notebook, is pleased to present Old Songs: From the Vault, an internet radio program hosted by Chris Koldewey on Folk Music Notebook. This program brings you music from Old Songs CDs and recordings made at the Dutch Barn and the Main Stage of the Old Songs Festival at the Altamont fairgrounds over the past 39 years.

Listen here or at folkmusicnotebook.com

Until we can be together in person again, please join us for virtual concerts and classes.

Offerings are updated often as new opportunities become available, so check this website frequently to see what’s new. We’ll also send out email updates. If you’re not already receiving emails from Old Songs, be sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss a thing! Stay well and safe.

The Annual Appeal for Old Songs

None of our programs would be possible without the tireless work of the artists, and your support. Your gift to the Old Songs Annual Fund benefits these programs and enables us to continue presenting the music you love while providing you with new musical experiences which no doubt you will come to love. We thank all of you who have provided financial support in the past or given of your time as a volunteer, and hope you are able once again to donate to Old Songs. Read more…

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC – due to COVID-19 – all in person events are canceled until further notice

MONDAYS

3rd Monday of the Month (Sept.–June)
African Drum Class: 7:00 pm African drumming with instructor John Dickson. Drums are provided. $15

WEDNESDAYS

1st Wednesday of the Month
Open Mic: 7:30 pm Sign up to perform 15 minutes. with Kate Blain, MC. $3

2nd Wednesday of the Month
Roaring 20s Jazz Jam: 7:30 pm Play and sing the popular music of the early 20th century from Ragtime to Dixieland to Blues to Swing. Led by Carle Kopecky. $4

3rd Wednesday of the Month
Traditional Irish Slow Session: 7:30 pm Play traditional Irish music with others. Led by Hilary Scrauf. $4

4th Wednesday of the Month (Sept.–May)
Contra Dance Tunes: 7:30 pm Build your skills and dance tune repertoire. Led by Ray Kottke. $3

SUNDAYS

2nd Sunday of the Month (Oct.–May)
Pickin’ & Singin’ Gatherin’: 1–4 pm A singin-a-round for the whole family. pickingandsinging.org

Old Songs welcomes Joy Bennett as our new Executive Director

Effective September 2018, our founder, Executive Director and guiding spirit, Andy Spence, is turning over the reins of the organization to Joy Bennett. After an extensive search and evaluation process, Joy was the unanimous choice of the Old Songs Board of Directors and Andy. Andy will continue with as Executive Director Emeritus and advisor to the Board of Directors and to Joy. Read more…

Old Song, Inc. is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act