The Echo Lake Coffeehouse is committed to bringing progressive folk music to the Leverett community and its neighbors. The historic town hall at 9 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA, provides an intimate setting in which to enjoy singer/songwriters from near and far. Concerts are on Saturdays at 7:30 pm, unless otherwise noted.

For info contact Diane Crowe, (413)-548-9394, diacrowe@yahoo.com

Dec. 17 - Saturday - John Sheldon - Solo Solstice concert

-------- These are in the past - hope you got to them! --------

Nov. 19 - Saturday - Spook Handy

Oct. 28 - Friday - Wool & Grant (yes, Bev Grant) with Arjuna Greist, opening

Oct. 21 - Friday - Sharon Katz & the Peace Train - at the Leverett Elementary School, 85 Montague Rd.

Sept. 17 - Saturday - John Flynn with Annie Patterson, opening

John Sheldon, local guitarist and songwriter, will play a solo solstice concert at the Echo Lake Coffeehouse in the Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA on Saturday, December 17, starting at 7:30 pm. Admission is $12/$10. For more info: 413-548-9394  -  www.johnsheldon.com  

John Sheldon is the definition of a life lived in music. A professional guitarist since the age of 14, he was Van Morrison's guitar player by 17 and at 21 an accomplished studio musician. Since then, he has gone on to write hundreds of songs, including "September Grass" which appeared on a platinum album by James Taylor. John has also composed for film and theater, conducted workshops in songwriting and composition, and taught private lessons for 30 years. 

Through it all John has been playing gigs in New England for a small but growing group of devoted fans. A former Leverett resident, John now lives in Amherst, where he has a studio to compose and record in.

A master guitarist, songwriter and performer, John puts on a show that is rhythmic, infectious, and often cathartic. As do most of his performances, his Echo Lake concert will have an underlying theme: the winter solstice. John will take this opportunity to work with the theme of 'Calling Back the Light' and will play songs and instrumentals that will bring light energy and spirit to one of the darkest days of the year.

Spook Handy, creator of songs of peace, hope and survival performed at the Echo Lake on November 19th. The theme's of Spook's songs range from spiritual to songs about social responsibility, sometimes blatant, sometimes covert and are full of fictitious and real characters who have walked through his life. Spook has acquired a reputation for making his performances intimate interactive experiences for audiences to long remember.  His music has been described as "Songs of peace, hope and survival." Read more here about Spook and this program.

Wool&Grant is the brand new combustible combination of Ina May Wool and Bev Grant, two veteran singer/songwriters with a passion for songs, stories, harmonies and guitars. As solo artists, they have won the hearts of audiences all over the country and abroad. Together, Wool&Grant create a musical alchemy of fire and feistiness, smarts and smiles, rocking clear-eyed political songs and a sampling of their road-tested wisdom of the heart. Read more here about Wool and Grant and this program.

Discovered by Miriam Makeba when she was just 16, the now-legendary Abigail Kubeka makes her US debut this year to launch Double Take, a new CD just recorded in South Africa with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train. Their fall 2011 tour includes a performance at Echo Lake Coffeehouse at the Elementary School, 85 Montague Rd., in Leverett, MA on Friday, October 21 at 7:30 pm. Read more here about this remarkable program.

2011: Sept. 17 - Saturday - John Flynn with Annie Patterson, opening

Singer-songwriter John Flynn draws from a significant body of work, ranging from his early country offerings to story songs, love songs, songs for kids, funny songs, songs of social justice and meditations on loss, tolerance, faith and hope. Annie Patterson is a music educator and professional singer. She has performed as a singer-songwriter at coffeehouses, clubs and folk festivals. She plays the acoustic guitar, old-timey banjo, the djimbe and mandolin. More about these two is here.

We had in 2010-2011:

• Oct. 16 - Saturday - 7:30, - Colleen Kattau and Some Guys - - Colleen combines music and activism, recognizing the guitarra armada or 'armed guitar' concept of Latin American troubadours where the guitar and voice are mightier than the gun and where poetry and melody intermingle to creative multiple layers of sound and meaning. Colleen will perform with her band who are: on percussion, on saxophone and native triple flute, and on base. More...
  
  
• Nov. 18 -Thursday - 7:30, - Dana & Susan Robinson - Dana and Susan Robinson are two guitar-playing, banjo-frailing, fiddle-sawing, and harmony-singing interpreters of the American experience. Their unique blend of contemporary songwriting and traditional Appalachian music bring to their performances a deep understanding of Americas musical heritage. More...
  
  
• Dec. 11 - Saturday - 7:30 pm - Si Kahn (Call for reservations in advance: 413-548-9394) - Si Kahn has worked for 45 years as a civil rights, labor and community organizer and musician. Si's songs of family, community, work and freedom have been recorded by more than 100 artists and translated into half a dozen languages. Such songs as Aragon Mill, Gone Gonna Rise Again, Go To Work On Monday, and Rubber Blubber Whale have become a part of the oral tradition, and are sung in folk clubs and living rooms around the world.  More...
  
  
• Jan. 15 - Saturday - Spook Handy - This event was cancelled because of expected problems with snow. It was rescheduled for November, 2011. Spook Handy has performed over 3000 concerts in his 23 years of performances, has written hundreds of songs, recorded 4 CDs, and now some of his own compositions are being performed by over a dozen other musicians.
  
  The theme's of Spook's songs range from spiritual to songs about social responsibility, sometimes blatant, sometimes covert and are full of fictitious and real characters who have walked through his life. Spook has acquired a reputation for making his performances intimate interactive experiences for audiences to long remember. His music has been described as "Songs of peace, hope and survival." More...
  
  

• Feb. 12 - Saturday - Magpie - Magpie is Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner, partners in life and song. They frequently raise their voices in support of the ongoing struggles for civil rights, freedom, justice, and peace. Terry's voice is a truly impressive instrument, not only because of its natural power, but also because of her versatility. Greg is an outstanding guitarist whose fingerstyle approach owes a lot to his heroes, guitar legends such as Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Nick Lucas, Phil Ochs, and Rolly Brown. Terry and Greg are also internationally known for their musical work in the environmental movement. Read more...
  
  
• Mar. 19 - Saturday - Sue Kranz & Ben Tousley Sue and Ben have been bringing their uplifting voices and sweet harmonies to New England audiences for the past 25 years.  With flute and guitar and in original songs and covers, this lively and engaging duo offer heartfelt ballads, soulful love songs, incisive social commentary and a delightful sampling of songs from various traditions including Latino, Irish and Jewish. The Boston Globe writes:  "Ben Tousley and Sue Kranz entrance folk fans with their rich harmonies and gentle  spirits." Read more
  
  
• Apr. 16 - Saturday - Ben Bedford - Bedford delivers intriguing sketches of America, its individuals, their victories and their struggles. Poignant, but never sentimental, Bedford’s portrait-like songs capture the vitality of his characters and draw the listener deep into the narratives. Bedford’s songs tackle scenarios including homelessness, the plight of a Confederate soldier’s wife during the American Civil War, the aerial triumphs of Amelia Earhart, the life of Jack London, and the murder of Emmett Till in 1955. Often drawing upon history, Bedford’s songs have a strong sense of time and place. The songs are rich in sensory detail which allows the listener to hear, see and feel each narrative. Read more
  
  
• May 14 - Saturday - David Ferrard
  
  
• Jun 11 - Songs and Stories of War and Peace by Ron Meck and others

Diane Crowe

People's Music Network, Coordinator

Music of the People, WMCB 107.9 LPFM, Greenfield, MA, DJ

Echo Lake Concert Series, Leverett, MA (on Facebook.com), Presenter

Leverett MA - The Home of All Things Leverett