Old Songs, Inc. is a not-for-profit, educational, 501(c)3 corporation
Virtual Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 am–4 pm.
PO Box 466 • 37 S Main • Voorheesville, NY 12186-0466
(518) 765-2815 • info@oldsongs.org
Old Songs Community Arts Center
Upcoming Events
April 2025
African Drum Class
3rd Monday of the Month
Study African drumming. Participants will learn authentic drumming from many countries in West Africa. Emphasis will be on traditional rhythms & drumming techniques on djembes, dunduns & other hand drums. Please join us for this fun filled class. All levels are welcomed. Some drums may be available to borrow on a first come, first served basis. Instructor John Dickson.
Email oldsongs@oldsongs.org or call 518-765-2815 for more info.
Class fee: $15
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
Class Dates: Thursdays, March 27, & April 3, 10, 17, 24, & May 1
$30
Zigue — Live at Old Songs
Since 1992, Claude Méthé and Dana Whittle have performed, composed and shared everything musical. They are both dynamic singers and prolific composers in love with the Québécois trad-inspired music they make together. Claude’s raw, emotional singing and authentic fiddling is seamlessly matched to the accompaniment of his longtime partner, herself a rhythmic and vocal powerhouse. Together, they deliver the kind of magic that is the hallmark of musical families. The addition of their son Aimé Méthé in 2019 perfectly illustrates their commitment to the transmission of musical heritage, and brings a new intensity to their sound. In late 2022, a fourth, multi-talented member, Mario St-Germain grew their ranks, further enriching their rooted sound. claudemethe.com/zigue
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
May 2025
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
Class Dates: Thursdays, March 27, & April 3, 10, 17, 24, & May 1
$30
Martin & Eliza Carthy — Live at Old Songs
Martin Carthy and Eliza Carthy, join forces to perform songs from their first duo album. For more than 50 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it. Eliza Carthy is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and engaging performers of her generation. More than most, Eliza Carthy has revitalised folk music and captured the most hardened of dissenters with intelligent, charismatic and boundary-crossing performance.
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
$30
Ensemble Sangineto — Live at Old Songs
Ensemble Sangineto is Adriano and Caterina Sangineto, and Jacopo Ventura. Ensemble Sangineto is an eclectic band which blends skillfully ancient harmonies and sonorities with modern rhythms. The wide-ranging musical experiences of the individual members converge to create fresh and sparkling arrangements of traditional Irish, Scottish, Breton & Italian tunes and original compositions that display influences from many varied musical genres ranging from classical to folk, from Gregorian chant to musical, from pop to Celtic music. The delicate combination of the pure and magic tones of the harp and of the bowed psaltery with the guitar intermingle with the three voice-polyphonic texture evoking dreamlike and airy atmospheres, which are simultaneously joyful and light.
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
$50
Spring into Uke with Stuart Fuchs, Ken Luk, & Ron Gordon
All-day Ukulele Intensive. Open to ALL LEVELS of player — beginner to advanced!
Stu Fuchs is a lifelong musician, award-winning teaching artist blending mindfulness practice and creative play. He has performed gypsy jazz guitar with symphony orchestras and facilitated holistic music clinics worldwide. Stu was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for his work bringing healing music to cancer patients. He recorded and toured with renowned sacred chant artist Snatam Kaur, playing on her “Best New Age” Grammy award nominated album “Beloved”.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ken Luk is a classically trained performer and teacher based in Rochester, New York. Through his love of the Brazilian choro and the cavaquinho, Ken slowly uncovers the connection between the vast families of small plucked string instruments: the machete and rajão from Madeira, the cuk and cak from Indonesia, and the ukulele from Hawaii. Apart from the guitar and mandolin, Ken enjoys playing his own arrangements and compositions on the ukulele. Ken teaches at the Eastman Community Music School, SUNY Geneseo, and Alfred University.
stufuchs.com | kenlukmusic.com | learnyourfrets.com
Register
Schedule
- 9:30 am — Doors open, participant check-in.
- 10:15 am — Introductions
- 10:30 am — Workshops — Session 1
- 11:30 am — Lunch Out (of the building)
- 1:00 pm — Workshops — Session 2
- 2:45 pm — Workshops — Session 3
- 4:15 pm — Concert: A brief sampler from each teacher/performer
- 5:30 pm — Everybody go home and practice!
The workshop will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville). If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID, the flu, or a cold (cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever) at the time of the event, please stay home, and ask for a refund.
The Pick’n’ & Sing’n’ Gather’n’ (PSG)
2nd Sunday of the Month
A sing-around for the whole family. pickingandsinging.org
Bluegrass Jam
2nd Monday of the Month (Aug. – May)
Led by Tom Behan.
recommended $5 donation
Old Time Jam
2nd Wednesday of the Month
Led by the Fearless Fretters.
recommended $5 donation
African Drum Class
3rd Monday of the Month
Study African drumming. Participants will learn authentic drumming from many countries in West Africa. Emphasis will be on traditional rhythms & drumming techniques on djembes, dunduns & other hand drums. Please join us for this fun filled class. All levels are welcomed. Some drums may be available to borrow on a first come, first served basis. Instructor John Dickson.
Email oldsongs@oldsongs.org or call 518-765-2815 for more info.
Class fee: $15
Traditional Irish Slow Session
3rd Wednesday of the Month (Sept. – May)
This is a friendly, repertoire-building opportunity to play your new tunes slowly and work on your old tunes at a reasonable tempo. We will focus specifically on traditional Irish music, and all Irish-appropriate instruments are welcome (i.e. wooden flute, tin whistle, concertina, button or piano accordion, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle, harp). We encourage tape recorders, and focus on learning tunes by ear. Music stands and continuous use of sheet music discouraged. Bring snacks to share. Led by Sean McCorkle.
Recommended $5 donation
June 2025
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
July 2025
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
August 2025
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.