Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society

presents

Driftwood

with special guests, South County

“Driftwood draws you into their world by mixing clever lyrics with beautiful melodies. They delight listeners and leave them begging for one more song.” -Michael Kinney-WSKG TV

“Driftwood is a band with a multi-talented blend of musicians who bring traditional American roots music to a whole new level, creating a truly unique sound by blending old time folk with modern and world music.” -Kayla MacLachlan-Upstate Live

Incorporating acoustic instruments and elements of Old Time, blues, jazz and modern music, these shanty rockers from Binghamton, NY have put together a traditional/original show that’s nothing short of world class music. Driftwood’s virtuosity is matched by their versatility and they are able to play sweet and sultry ballads with as much drive and passion as an up-tempo romp. That’s why Driftwood has been in high demand by Upstate New York audiences since their 2006 formation. Band members Dan Forsyth (Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals), Joe Kollar (Guitar, Banjo, The Box, Drums, Keys, Vocals), and Claire Byrne (Fiddle, Vocals) come from many different musical backgrounds, and together they reinvent the songs of traditional American roots music by blending them with the sounds and feel of modern and world music. Since forming, Driftwood has appeared at a number of jam band and bluegrass music festival, including Ithaca’s famous Grassroots Festival, the mainstage at the Chenango County Bluegrass Festival, the Newark Valley Bluegrass Festival (First Place, Best New Band), and the Quixotic Music Festival. Aside from their regular gigs, Driftwood is not above setting up in a park or playing as street musicians in order to share their music with the masses.

Joining Driftwood will be Westchester’s own South County. Born on the banks of the Hudson River and out of the ashes of the roots rock group Whiskey Logic, SOUTH COUNTY blends together rockabilly, country and blues in their own unique brand of super-charged Americana.  Centered around a homemade washtub bass and a drum kit consisting in part of a wooden crate and tin cans, SOUTH COUNTY modernizes old time music for the new millennia.  Guitars, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, musical saw, glockenspiel, penny whistle, washboard and vocal harmonies all add to their bouillabaisse of sound.

Tickets-  Adults: Advance tickets: $12, At the Door: $15; Students (age 14+): $10 at the Door; Kids Under 14 are free

Saturday, May 19th, 7:30 pm

Driftwood, with South County

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

ORDER TODAY AND SAVE

Saturday, June 2th, 7:30 pm

The Rock & Soul Revue

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

ORDER TODAY AND SAVE

Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society
presents

The First U Rock & Soul Revue

Members of the First Unitarian Society of Westchester, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, created the Rock & Soul Revue to play at Common Ground Coffeehouse in the fall of 2005. The initial performance was a wild, joyous success, and since then, the group has taken on a life of its own, growing in size, and inspiring and attracting new members from the congregation.

Keyboardist-bandleader Ray Castoldi notes that `revue’ really captures the band’s capacity for change; different guest performers and new regulars keep the sound fresh and fluid. The band also offers a spiritual venue for creative self-expression, fun and community building, “though we don’t play traditional church songs”. Our sound reflects “the deep, religious fervor and emotion that is the driving force of soul”, Castoldi explains, but ” we play the songs of this world—not the next.” And to hear those songs, you can’t help but get up and dance!

Rock & Soul members come from all walks of life. High school students, filmmakers, graphic designers, scientists, Jungian analysts, speech pathologists, teachers, and computer programmers make up the band’s unique voice. The band is always ready to embrace original tunes and arrangements, and favorites such as Iko Iko and Shake a Tail Feather have inspired members to challenge themselves musically.

Tickets: $15 at the Door/$12 in advance