Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society

A few seats are still available for our November 5th concert featuring Loudon Wainwright III at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater!

You can get tickets at the box office. See you there!

Our 22-23 season is off to a great start! We're very much looking forward to presenting Loudon Wainwright III on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 pm at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater!

Tickets are on sale now. You can grab them on our website or at the link in bio.

Our 22-23 season is off to a great start! We're very much looking forward to presenting Loudon Wainwright III on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 pm at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater!

Tickets are on sale now. You can grab them on our website or at the link in bio.

School of Folk Music

A few spots are still available for classes that start the week of October 3!

Get more information about each class here:

School of Folk Music Calliope School of Folk Music Since its founding in 1990, the Calliope School of Folk Music has provided thousands of students the opportunity to explore the rich folk heritage available to them in western Pennsylvania. The Calliope School is one of few schools in the region to offer courses in folk...

We sincerely can't wait for our opening show of the 22-23 season featuring Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka! Tickets are on sale now through the link in bio or on our website. 🎫

So excited for the return of our in-person classes at the Calliope School of Folk Music for the fall term! Classes start the week of October 3 and run for 8 weeks. We have a couple more classes yet to be added to the schedule, so check out https://calliopehouse.org/school-of-folk-music/ for all the details and to register.

These summer concerts have been so much fun, and it's been wonderful to hang out with so many of you! Please join us for our last summer concert of the season as we welcome Bertha and the Bells to Schenley Plaza on September 8 at 7!

This acoustic quartet features the powerful singing of Pam Hawley, the remarkable fiddling of Alice Backer, the lovely, rootsy vocals of Annie Trimble, and some of the best duet and trio vocal harmony around. In addition, the powerful rhythm section of Annie's guitar, Pam's banjo uke, and "Bertha" -Richard Gordon's bass- provides a solid backdrop for an exciting mix of country, swing, spiritual, old-time, and other music.

By now you likely know that no tickets are needed, but we will be collecting tips for the artists (suggested $15).

A cash bar to be provided by The Porch.

Concert presented in coordination with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

See you there!

Looking forward to Thursday's outdoor concert under the tent at Schenley Plaza with Well Strung! These concerts are so much fun. Hope to see you there!

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
The Porch

Big thanks to Moe Taters and The Gravy Train for a fantastic kick-off to our Summer Series on such a beautiful night! Thanks, too, to everyone who came out. It was great to see you all!

Come hang out with us next month under the tent at Schenley Plaza when we present Well Strung on August 18 at 7 pm. We're looking forward to another fun night.

No tickets needed for these shows, but we do accept tips for the artists. Sugg. tip is $15, but any amount is welcome.

Cash bar provided by The Porch

Concert presented in coordination with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

See you then! 💥🎵

We're so excited about this!

PLEASE WELCOME Mother Jones to Pittsburgh this fall!

Sat. Sept. 17, 2022 @ 8:00 p.m. — The Battle of Homestead Foundation and Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society present an in-person live stage performance of "MOTHER JONES IN HEAVEN" at Univ. of Pittsburgh’s Henry Heymann Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue on the Pitt-Oakland Campus.

Authored by acclaimed singer/songwriter *Si Kahn*, "Mother Jones in Heaven" stars *Vivian Nesbitt* as Irish-American labor organizer Mary “Mother” Jones (1837-1930), whose renown as a fearless fighter for workers’ rights earned her the label of “the most dangerous woman in America”.

The musical opens as Mother Jones arrives in Heaven to discover that it’s surprisingly identical to her favorite Irish pub just outside of Washington, DC. In the course of the 90-minute performance, Mother Jones looks back over her life, balancing the scales as she sifts through her storied past and weaving moments of profound insight with hilarious tales of a hellion in her prime. Guitarist *John Dillon* provides accompaniment to the original songs by Si Kahn.

* Tickets: $25 General Admission-Adult; $15 General Admission-Student.

* Buy Online Today at Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/27xkrym6

We're so excited to kick of our series of summer concerts under the tent at Schenley Plaza with Moe Taters and The Gravy Train on Thursday, July 14th at 7 pm!

This concert is presented in coordination with .

No tickets needed, but we will be collecting tips for the artists at the show and online.

Check out the link in bio or our Facebook Event page for all the details.

Cash bar provided by .

See you there!

Reminder to grab your tickets to The Way Down Wanderers, April 30! More info and tickets here: https://calliopehouse.org/event/the-way-down-wanderers/

My Bluegrass Heart just won the for Best Bluegrass Album!

Thanks to all the wonderful musicians who played on the album ❤️

Listen: https://linktr.ee/belafleckbanjo

Tune in tomorrow at 7pm for a virtual show with John McCutcheon and friends! Details at https://calliopehouse.org/event/john-mccutcheon-live-in-concert-songwriters-in-the-round/

The Way Down Wanderers “The Wire” Live from Peoria, IL

Calliope presents THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS, APRIL 30! We can't wait for this one, folks! Check them out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVS1osK_WVg
Tickets and more info at https://calliopehouse.org/event/the-way-down-wanderers/

The Way Down Wanderers “The Wire” Live from Peoria, IL The Way Down Wanderers perform The Wire from their recent release, More Like Tomorrow, at the Peoria Riverfront.

Tune in to 88.3 FM, Pittsburgh THURSDAY MARCH 10 at 9am to catch Richard Gordon's interview with Le Vent du Nord, or find it archived here: https://www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard/

They talk "maple syrup, the hurdy-gurdy, and the living and evolving culture of high energy Quebecois music — a combination of Scottish, Irish, and French music imported to Canada."

Le Vent du Nord is headed to Pittsburgh next Saturday, March 12!

"Featuring button accordion, guitar, and fiddle, the band’s sound is defined by the hurdy-gurdy, which adds an earthy, rough-hewn flavor to even the most buoyant dance tunes.” — Boston Herald

Since its inception in August 2002, Le Vent du Nord has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 2,000 concerts over 4 continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros, two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), a Félix at ADISQ, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and “Artist of the Year” at Folk Alliance Annual Gala.

We hope to see you there!
Tickets available at https://calliopehouse.org/event/le-vent-du-nord-2/

Thanks for the music, Mac Martin. You will be missed

Silvana Estrada: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

is Silvana Estrada! Such gorgeous melodies, and the strings! amazing. Share your folk jam of the day in the comments below!

We'll see you for Windborne Saturday folks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S52_XxBwbJg&t=110s

Silvana Estrada: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Tiny Desk is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with an "El Tiny" takeover of the (home) concert series, featuring J Balvin, ...

Windborne sings Corsican Stabat Mater in Orford Castle

Taking a minute to meditate on this ethereal melody today.

Windborne is this Saturday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzLZwoOWEZA

Windborne sings Corsican Stabat Mater in Orford Castle The cavernous sound in Orford Castle just begged for singing--this version of Stabat Mater is from the village of Nebbiu in southern Corsica.Instagram & TikT...

The Show

Anyone listened to the new Shovels and Rope release?? Loving this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzgz0k-4-Es&list=OLAK5uy_ml8Oe7iH5UAEM8bYBdenq0mMEAYtAQuBA&index=2

The Show Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LPThe Show · Shovels & RopeManticore℗ 2022 Dualtone Music Group, Inc.Released on: 2022-02-18Producer: Michael ...

Throwback!! Let us know--what are your TOP 3 desert island albums? Those you just couldn't live without. Comment below!

Windbourne - "LesTisserands"

Tickets and more concert info at https://calliopehouse.org/event/windborne/

As one Youtube listener says about Windborne, "A fifth voice is made by four."
Calliope is excited to present Windborne Feb 26!

Bringing in the folk traditions of New England and inspirations from around the world, Windborne has created a unique and harmonious flow in their quartet.

Their dynamic concert programs include songs from Corsica, the Republic of Georgia, Bulgaria, Quebec, and Basque country, as well as traditional and original American folk music. They believe deeply in the power of music to change hearts.

Specializing in close harmony singing, the quartet has a vibrant energy and a strong connection, which is evident in their engaging performance. They educate as they perform, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics and stylistic elements of the traditions in which they sing. Mary DesRosiers, folk musicologist for the Monadnock Folklore Society, acclaims Windborne for "the purity of their voices, strength of their material, and attention to detail in their arrangements."

Check out some of their performances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12HwvPpWUx0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTgH2qmPQpc

Windbourne - "LesTisserands" 4 part harmony never sounded better. Windbourne with an original song called Les Tisserands. Recorded at NERFA 2018.

Pittsburgh Magazine agrees, True Blues is a great way to spend your Saturday night!

"Featuring globetrotting blues star Corey Harris, harmonica virtuoso Phil Wiggins and Cajun master Cedric Watson, “True Blues” is a combination of storytelling and performance, preserving and presenting the legacy of some of America’s most important genres.

The show — set for Saturday night at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater — shouldn’t be regarded as a lecture or dry recitation, though; you’ll be dancing in the aisles. I’m particularly fond of Watson’s blend of creole, zydeco and blues. Listen to his live album “Creole Moon” and you’ll rush to buy a ticket."

Check out the article here: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/things-to-do-this-weekend-in-pittsburgh/

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, visit https://calliopehouse.org/event/true-blues-with-corey-harris-phil-wiggins-and-cedric-watson/

See you all soon!

The culmination of 30 songs written during the pandemic, Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink, and Marcy Marxer will be presenting their new album LIVE this Sunday at 3pm. Tickets to the live streamlivestream and info can be found at https://mandolin.com/events/12cbfbdf-05d5-4959-9daf-5ac5b12ee18b

Windborne Homegrown Concert

Check out this virtual concert for Windborne, who we will be presenting on FEBRUARY 26!

"With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon,
Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades
of friendship alongside dedicated practice. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music,
drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the
profound power and variation of the human voice. The singers educate as they entertain, sharing stories about their songs
and explaining the context and characteristics of the styles in which they sing."

Windborne Homegrown Concert Windborne is Lynn Mahoney Rowan, Will Thomas Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Jeremy Carter-Gordon. The four singers grew up immersed in the traditional song and d...

Our final True Blues artist feature is Phil Wiggins! Phil Wiggins is arguably America’s foremost blues harmonica virtuoso. While rooted in the melodic Piedmont or “Tidewater” blues of the Chesapeake region, his mastery of the instrument now transcends stylistic boundaries. Born in Washington D.C. in 1954, Phil Wiggins achieved worldwide acclaim over three decades as one half of the premier Piedmont blues duo of Cephas & Wiggins. Since the death of guitarist and singer John Cephas in 2009, Phil brought his harmonica wizardry to bear in a variety of musical collaborations.” – National Council for the Traditional Arts

A two time winner of the prestigious WC Handy Blues Foundation awards, is only the third harmonica player to receive the lifetime honor of an NEA National Heritage Fellowship. Today he is the only living player of the instrument to hold the prestigious honor of being a “Master of Traditional Arts.” Often referred to by its unofficial designation as “Living Cultural Treasure” award, the fellowship honors and preserves the diverse cultural heritage in the United States. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) annually awards one-time-only NEA National Heritage Fellowships to master folk and traditional artists, to recognize lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage. Phil Wiggins is a versatile traditional harmonica player, continuing the Piedmont blues tradition, a gentle and melodic blues style of the mid-Atlantic region. He plays the diatonic ten-hole harmonica in the country blues style, cupping both hands around the instrument and playing acoustically. His sound is not shaped by the gear, the microphone or amplifier when performing on stage, instead by his complex syncopated patterns, breath-control and rhythm, stylistic virtuosity and fiery solo runs.

Phil Wiggins will be playing at our True Blues show along with Corey Harris and Cedric Watson. Tickets can be found at calliopehouse.org

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Our next True Blues artist feature is Corey Harris! Corey Harris is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader who has carved out his own niche in blues. A powerful singer and accomplished guitarist, he has appeared at venues throughout the North America, Europe, Brazil, The Caribbean, West Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

He has recorded many old songs of the blues tradition while also creating an original vision of the blues by adding influences from reggae, soul, rock and West African music. His 1995 recording, Between Midnight and Day, is a tribute to the tradition of acoustic blues. Subsequent recordings, such as Greens From the Garden (1999), Mississippi to Mali (2003), and Daily Bread (2005) show Harris’ maturation from interpreter to songwriter. With one foot in tradition and the other in contemporary experimentation, Harris is a truly unique voice in contemporary music.

He has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the top names in music such as BB King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, R.L.Burnside, Ali Farka Toure, Dave Matthews Band, Tracy Chapman, Olu Dara, Wilco, and others. In 2003 Harris was a featured artist and narrator of the Martin Scorcese film, “Feel Like Going Home,” which traced the evolution of blues from West Africa to the southern U.S. In 2007, he was awarded a $500,000 MacArthur Fellowship — commonly referred to as a “genius award” — from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Corey will be playing our True Blues show along with Cedric Watson and Phil Wiggins January 29, 2022. Tickets and more info can be found at calliopehouse.org

Our First True Blues Artist Feature is Cedric Watson!

One of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole and Zydeco (Louisiana French) music over the last decade, Cedric Watson is a four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist & songwriter with seemingly unlimited potential. With an apparently bottomless repertoire of songs at his fingertips, Cedric plays everything from forgotten Creole melodies and obscure Dennis McGee reels to more modern Cajun and Zydeco songs, even occasionally throwing in a bluegrass fiddle tune or an old string band number. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he is also a prolific songwriter, writing almost all of his songs on his double row Hohner accordion. Cedric’s songs channel his diverse ancestry (African, French, Native American and Spanish) to create his own brand of sounds.

Cedric Watson will be playing with Corey Harris and Phil Wiggins as True Blues at Kelly Strayhorn Theater January 29, 2022. Tickets are available at calliopehouse.org

Happy new year all! We are headed into January looking forward to our next show, True Blues with Corey Harris, Phil Wiggins, and Cedric Watson. Tickets available at https://calliopehouse.org/event/true-blues-with-corey-harris-phil-wiggins-and-cedric-watson/

"Hosted by Corey Harris, a MacArthur Grant recipient, along with America’s foremost blues harmonica virtuoso, Phil Wiggins and Cedric Watson. True Blues chronicles the extraordinary living culture of the blues in an evening of music and conversation. In bringing the True Blues film to the concert stage, the True Blues concert vividly brings to life this crucial wellspring of American music."

See you all tonight!!

Our last show of 2021 is tonight in Pittsburgh at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater presented by Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society ! What an incredible year of shows and festivals it has been - can't wait for 2022! ✌🏾

The Glide 20- Glide's 20 Best Album of 2021 & Honorable Mentions - Glide Magazine

Amythyst Kiah's album, Wary and Strange, is featured on Glide Magazine's 20 best albums of 2021! Check it out here!

"Kiah blends the alternative, slightly punkish rock with old-timey sounds on her breakout solo LP. The howling soulful voice laces political commentary with personal observations examining grief, alienation, and ultimately self-acceptance along the way. Kiah is onto something good and this release will pave the way to an illustrious solo career."

We are only 3 days away from the show, get your tickets here: https://calliopehouse.org/event/amythyst-kiah-trio/

The Glide 20- Glide's 20 Best Album of 2021 & Honorable Mentions - Glide Magazine If there ever was a time that narrowing a list down to 20 best albums seemed shameful, 2021 had to be it. It appeared everyone was throwing down with