Tickets: $18 at the door/$15 in advance; kids under $12 are free

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All Common Ground locations are wheelchair accessible.

Common Ground was founded as an effort to build community and to support regional and national musicians and other artists. Since 2005, Common Ground has used its profits to operate the Common Ground Microcredit Fund. The fund raised has raised over $20,000 for local, regional and global community groups and organizations that provide either much needed social services or work toward progressive, nonviolent social change. For more information on Common Ground’s social justice mission, and to learn more about the Common Ground Microcredit Fund, please click here.

Now in our ninth year, Common Ground has hosted such beloved national and regional artists as Steve Forbert, Chris Smither, Susan Werner, Red Molly, Kimya Dawson, Jen Chapin, Guy Davis, Sloan Wainwright, The Kennedys, Vance Gilbert and many more. For many years, Common Ground was a regular stop on the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Annual Most Wanted Preview Tour. In addition to traditional and modern folk artists and singer-songwriters, we frequently feature other musical genres, such as jazz, blues, cajun-zydeco, popular song, R&B, and even the occasional evening of avant garde gamelan music!

Saturday, January 28th, 7:30 pm

Milton

with special guest, Julia Joseph 

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY
Tickets: $18 at the door/$15 in advance; kids under 12 are free

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Saturday, February 4th, 8 pm

Harry Bolick & Joel Wennerstrom

Venue: Common Ground Folk Series @ Lewisboro Library, 15 Main Street, South Salem NY

Tickets: $12 Advance/$15 Door for Adults; $12 at Door for Seniors; Kids Under 12 are free
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Saturday, February 11th, 7:30 pm

The Neel Murgai Ensemble

Venue: Common Ground @ South Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry NY

Tickets: $18 Advance/$20 Door; Kids Under 12 are free
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Saturday, February 25th, 7:30 pm

Common Ground Cabaret with Ralph Gunderman and Gail Joy Newman

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY

Tickets: $12 Advance/$15 Door; Kids Under 12 are free
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Saturday, March 3rd, 7:30 pm

The Honeycutters

with RJ Storm and Old School

Venue: Common Ground @ South Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry NY
Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door; kids under 12 are free
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Saturday, March 11th, 8 pm

The Clancy Tradition

Venue: Common Ground Folk Series @ Lewisboro Library, 15 Main Street, South Salem NY
Tickets: Adults – $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Seniors – $12; kids under 12 are free

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Saturday, March 24th, 8:00 pm

Nerissa and Katryna Nields

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY
Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

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Saturday, April 14th, 7:30 pm

Chris Smither, with very special guest Eliza Gilkyson

Venue: Common Ground @ South Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry NY
Tickets: Advance, $22.50/Door: $25; Kids Under 12 are free (space permitting)
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Saturday, April 21st, 7:30 pm

Atwater-Donnell

Venue: Common Ground Folk Series @ Lewisboro Library, 15 Main Street, South Salem NY
Tickets: Adults – $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Seniors – $12; kids under 12 are free

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Saturday, April 28th, 7:30 pm

The Mandingo Ambassadors

Venue: Common Ground Coffeehouse @ The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY
Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

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Saturday, May 5th, 8 pm

Carolann Solebello and The YaYas

Venue: Common Ground Folk Series @ Lewisboro Library, 15 Main Street, South Salem NY
Tickets: Adults – $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Seniors – $12; kids under 12 are free

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Saturday, May 12th, 7:30 pm

Sloan Wainwright, with Sharon Goldman

Venue: Common Ground @ South Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry NY
Tickets: Adults – $18 in advance, $20 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

Saturday, May 19th, 7:30 pm

Driftwood, with South County

Venue: Common Ground @ South Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry NY
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Kids Under 12 are free

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

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

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

presents

Milton

with special guest Julia Joseph

“He has the pitch and rhythm to carry the day, and his sophisticated lyrics keep listeners coming back for more.” -The New York Times

“The one-named folksinger knows what he’s doing.” -NPR

Milton is a New York City-based singer/songwriter known in clubs and college radio stations up and down the east coast for his hummable melodies, spot on lyrics, tight, groovy band and soulful, energetic live shows. His most recent CD Grand Hotel received heavy airplay across the U.S, staying several weeks in the National Top 20 Americana chart. The CD, produced with veteran producer Bo Ramsey (Lucinda Williams/Greg Brown) was praised in the New York Times and many other publications. The closing track “Booker” was featured as NPR’s song of the day. Prior to Grand Hotel, Milton had spent two years playing gigs on the road, taking a short break to score the HBO documentary “Hard as Nails” in late 2007. With his second self-titled CD, Milton had continued to expand upon the fan base created with his debut. His song “In the City” was a big hit on New York station WFUV. Milton has appeared on bills with artists ranging from Yo La Tengo to Norah Jones to Al Kooper to Bettye Lavette. As a solo act or with his band, Milton has played sold-out gigs opening for acts like British pop star Jamie Cullum and singer/songwriters Colin Hay, Shelby Lynne and Joan Osborne. Milton continues to pack New York’s Living Room and Joe’s Pub and venues all over the country.

Opening the show will be Julia Joseph. Gifted with a natural musicality and expressive freedom, Julia shines on stage. During the production of her first album, Hush, Julia worked with the players who have become a part of her live sound- the sweet and simple vibe of drums, upright bass and acoustic guitar. Occasionally she invites back up singers to showcase her most guilty pleasure- the rich vocal harmonies that characterize Hush. Needless to say, Julia doesn’t need ornamentation or any fancy framing. Her magnetism comes from her soul and she will gladly serve it up to any who ask. Julia’s down to earth authenticity and confidence are so refreshing and accessible that fans can just sit back, relax and enjoy the delicious ride.

TICKETS: $18 at the door/$15 in advance; kids under $12 are free

presents

Harry Bolick and Joel Wennerstrom

Harry Bolick and Joel Wennerstrom combine hard driving southern fiddle tunes, lyrical blues, and tight harmony singing to weave a spellbinding performance interlaced with a bit of history, a flavor of southern culture, and the joy of music. A thirty year veteran of the New York ‘Oldtimey’ music scene, fiddler Harry Bolick has mastered a variety of local fiddling styles from the southern states in a multitude of differing tunings, and has collected and composed a large number of contemporary fiddle tunes in traditional styles.

Born in Mississippi, he has focused on, recorded, and taught workshops in the classic fiddle tunes from Carroll County, Mississippi. He has 5 recordings to his credit and performs in the “Wahoo String Band”, as well as leading duos and bands under his own name.

Reflecting on his background, he explained: “My mother was born in Carrollton, Carroll County, and I was born in the nearest hospital in the next county. I spent summers in the County as a child and have been visiting relatives there ever since.  I remember playing for my grandfather [on one visit] and being surprised when he volunteered that he knew “Carroll County Blues.” I had thought him oblivious to music. I later found out that before he married he was quite the dancer! He did not talk about it around his church-going wife! Avalon, the home place of ‘Mississippi’ John, Narmour, and Smith, is only about 5 miles from my grandfather’s farm.” Harry went on to college in Alabama, where he recalls “I was lucky to meet and study with folklorist Beatrice McClain. Her family’s band, the McClain Family, toured for the Department of State and played Carnegie Hall. She inspired me to learn square dancing, to learn my first fiddle tunes, to go to fiddle contests, and when I moved to Manhattan in my 20′s, to search out the folk music community.”

Harry actually mastered the fiddle in Brooklyn, playing with the local accomplished players there: “I am almost totally self taught, learning ‘on the job’ while I played, as well as from the classic recordings of the 1920′s-30′s…The Brooklyn players were inspired by regular sessions with the Red Clay Ramblers from North Carolina, who were in town for an extended run in the play “Diamond Studs.” In addition to the many house parties and sessions, playing on the streets, public regular jam sessions, coffeehouse concerts and square dances, we would all go to many southern fiddle festivals.”

Recently Harry has put his focus on the Carroll County tunes that he learned from recordings made in the 1920′s by musicians William Thomas Narmour, Shell Smith, and “Mississippi” John Hurt. During the two years before recording the “Carroll County, Mississippi”,  Harry had visited Carroll County and elsewhere in Mississippi to do fieldwork, interviewing musicians to more fully understand this music. While other states share many tunes and approaches to playing, the Mississippi tradition stands out for its unusual melodies and rhythms.

Clawhammer banjo has been a main focus for Joel Wennerstrom since moving from Ohio to NYC in 2001. He performs with numerous old-time and contra dance musicians in the area, and was a founding member of Two Lost Turkeys old time string band (formerly The Moonshiners). When not playing music, he makes his living designing things and teaching design and drawing at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. “As an educator, I am surrounded by young, creative, energetic people who have a profound affect on me and my attitude towards life, and help me learn about myself,” he says. “As a musician I am surrounded by talented friends who pour their hearts out through their hands and voices. As a designer, I discover other’s needs and strive to make a difference in their lives any way I can.”

Tickets: Adults -  $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Seniors – $12 at the door

The Neel Murgai Ensemble

Neel Murgai is a multi-instrumental performer, composer and teacher from New York City. He is a graduate of Goddard College’s MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts program. His life long journey into the depth and beauty of sitar and Indian classical music began with Ravindra Goswami in Banaras, 14 years ago. For the past 8 years Neel has studied with his guru and mentor, Pundit Krishna Bhatt. His interest in music began at a young age with trombone and guitar. While obtaining a degree in Civil Engineering, Neel worked as a radio DJ, hosting an international music program. This fostered in him an abiding interest in music from around the world. He went on to live in India, immersing himself in the music and culture of his parent’s homeland. Upon returning to the U.S. Neel began a career in music. In addition to sitar, he has since learned to play daf (Persian frame drum) with Soheil Zolfonun and kanjira with V. Nagarajan in Chennai. He has studied overtone singing with the Buriyat performance group Uragsha and Harmonic Choir member, Timothy Hill. Neel has also learned Western composition with Edgar Grana.

While dedicated to Indian classical music, Neel is also interested in creating an original music that is rooted in his many influences and studies. The Neel Murgai Ensemble is a product of many years of thought about the ideal instrumentation to advance his compositions.

Neel has toured around the world with the Bill T. Jones Dance Company, performing and collaborating in their multi-media show, “Blind Date”. Other artists Neel has worked with include Dr. Lonnie Smith, Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, Samir Chatterjee, Daniel Bernard Romain, Ellen Stewart, Laraaji, Yuerba Buena, Baba Israel, Raz Mesinai, Mission on Mars, Akim Funk Buddha, Loren Conners, Louis Bellogenis and Cosmo Vinyl. He has performed at venues ranging from the Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center to the David Letterman Show to jazz clubs such as the Blue Note and at festivals around the U.S including Art Wallah, Arts Plosure, Masala! Mehndi! Masti! and many others.

Neel has composed music for numerous film, TV, video, theater and dance projects including the recent feature length documentary, “The Yes Men Fix the World”, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. His music has been featured in the BBC series, “Holiday’s in the Danger Zone”, and TBS programs, “Women of the Ink”, and “Spotlights”.

Tonight, Neel will be accompanied by Arun Ramamurthy on violin, Sameer Gupta on tabla and Marika Hughes on cello.

Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 at the door

with Ralph Gunderman and Gail Joy Newman

Ralph Gunderman has had a long successful career as a voice actor, including announcer on Dateline NBC, countless commercials, and, these days, many voice-overs for David Letterman spoofs.  He has done numerous cabarets in NYC.  His shows embrace an eclectic mix from Harold Arlen to Tom Waits to Spike Jones.  From the sublime to the ridiculous. This will be his third appearance at Common Ground Coffeheouse.  On piano will be David Lahm, a jazz pianist and composer as well as an accomplished accompanist.  He has recorded 2 CD’s of his jazz interpretations of Joni Mitchell songs.  Opening the evening is Gail Joy Newman, a singer/actor/comic, who performs “rock, blues, jazz, southern rock, opera, Broadway showtunes, cabaret, rap, Yiddish songs, commercial jingles, TV show theme songs, and cell phone ring tones”.

TICKETS:  Advance, $12/At the Door, $15

presents

The Honeycutters

with R.J. Storm and Old School

In a world that is becoming increasingly digitalized and impersonal, the Honeycutters are building a reputation based on live performance and songs that tend to stick with you. Their first full length studio release “Irene” (May ’09) has landed them in Iaan Hughes’ (No Depression Podcast) top twenty of 2009, Fret Knot Radio Hour’s “Nine you need to know from ’09″, and number 32 in WNCW’s listener voted top 100. Singer/songwriter Amanda Anne Platt has been hailed as “one of the best songwriters coming out of WNC these days” by WNCW programming director Martin Anderson, and her voice has been described as “perfectly unadorned” and “recklessly beautiful”. Lead guitarist and Producer Peter James compliments Platt’s vocals with seamless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. Spencer Taylor on mandolin, Ian Harrod on bass, and Richard Foulk on the drums effortlessly round out the Honeycutters sound, creating an original brand of americana that has proved equally appealing to both the musician and the music lover, the country and the city, and the old and the young.

Opening the evening will be the noted Hudson Valley-based bluegrass trio R.J. Storm and Old School. The group, which frequently accompanies the legendary Pete Seeger, are R.J. Storm (banjo); Tony Nelson (bass); and Joe Kaminsky (Guitar).

TICKETS: $18 in advance, $20 at the door; kids under 12 are free

presents

The Clancy Tradition

The Clancy Tradition’s origins are found in Ireland in the 1950s when the Clancy family of Moy, County Tyrone formed a Ceili Band, playing at Irish country dances and concerts throughout Ireland. In 1960, three Clancy brothers — Pat Clancy, Eugene Clancy and Brendan Clancy — left Ireland to tour the United States as The Irish Ramblers. The Irish Ramblers, Pat Clancy, Eugene Clancy and Brendan Clancy toured for a period of three years, playing at clubs like Gerde’s Folk City & Carnegie Hall(!), and in 1963 recorded the album, The Patriot Game, on Electra Records. Their musical tradition is currently being passed to the next generation with The Clancy Tradition: Eugene on guitar & vocals, daughter Rosemary Clancy on fiddle & mandolin, son John Clancy on bass, Pat on piano & accordion, daughter Liadain Clancy singing and Mike Melanophy on button accordion. “Ordinary music for ordinary people,” Eugene likes to say of The Clancy Tradition’s playing and singing, but the listener will find it anything but ordinary. From those Sunday afternoons in Armagh many years ago, to the Wednesday night sessions at Eugene and Cecilia’s home, their music keeps faith with the past and rouses the soul of all who hear them.

TICKETS: Adults, $12 in advance/$15 at the door; Seniors (60+)/Students (12+): $12 at the door

presents

Nerissa and Katryna Nields

Nerissa and Katryna Nields are sisters, just two years apart, born at the tail end of the sixties in Manhattan. Nerissa and Katryna Nields have been the darlings of the coffeehouse/festival scene since 1991, with tunes ranging from off-the-hook idiosyncratic to kicking to heartbreaking. They first sang together in the back of their parent’s ’67 Barracuda convertible, and the rest is history. “Our parents were total folkies,” says Nerissa. “Their first date was a Pete Seeger concert and their second was a Harry Bellefonte concert. We used to go to a family camp in the Adirondacks every summer where people sat around a fire. That’s where I learned how to finger pick. The music teacher at our school, Jack Langstaff, was more of the English tradition of folk music than the American, and his legacy was really strong. We grew up on simple folk songs.”They have been performing for twenty years with their band The Nields and also as a duo, with 15 CDs, three books and seven songbooks to their credit. They have performed with James Taylor, The Band, Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco, Dan Zanes, 10,000 Maniacs and most recently with their four kids and a townful of toddlers in their HooteNanny classes in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. They love nothing more than a room full of moms, dads, grannies and grandaddies singing together at the top of their lungs.

TICKETS: $18 in advance, $20 at the door