August’s End, Labor Day + Heading to the Fair

As we move into late August and head toward September, this week we’ll hear some songs and tunes that explore late-summer thoughts and gatherings and Labor Day issues and activities. Then, toward the end of the show, we’ll head off to a few English Fairs.

Ramblers, Rovers & Questers

This week in the Song Parlor we meet some ramblers, rovers and questers, encounters that are likely to trigger thoughts about how, when, and why they get around – and where they might want to go if they’re able. . . .

Some Lies, the Ladder to “This Land,” & A Couple of Summer Events

This week in the Song Parlor we begin with several songs and tunes that involve lies and deceptions (some public some personal) and then move on to pieces that call on us to live up to our American ideals of welcoming newcomers and championing social justice. After that, a few songs will take us through broad swaths of immigration history before we finish up with brief musical previews of two tempting summer festivals.

Summertime Scenes & Events

On tap this week in the Song Parlor – songs and tunes that offer melodious sketches of some summertime scenes, a birthday card featuring the songs of Woody Guthrie (who was born on July 14, 1912), and musical previews of a couple of upcoming summer festivals in Québec and Pennsylvania.

The Spirit of Independence

This week in the Song Parlor, as the 4th of July draws near, the time seems right for an all-American show featuring songs and tunes that celebrate freedom and the spirit of independence – and we’ll add in a few new pieces that offer varied perspectives on where we seem to stand in the US as we move into July 2019.

June Days & Dads, Circuses & Travellers

What’s up in the Song Parlor this week?  A little music for a sunny day in June will lead us on to some pieces about dads, as Father’s Day draws near.  Then we’ll take a musical excursion to various circuses and carnivals, before finishing off with some songs and tunes of the travelling people.

Old (and New) Songs & Stories

This week a bunch of old (and new) songs, tunes, and tales are front and center in the Song Parlor. We frame the show with pieces about singing or tunes that tell a tale – but we’ll also take some time to hear from a number of performers who are scheduled to take part in the Old Songs Festival that comes along at the end of June.

Memories, Communities, Commitments

With Memorial Day just around the corner, this week in the Song Parlor we focus on songs and tunes that involve memories, communities, and commitments of various kinds.

Celebrating Pete Seeger’s Centennial -- & Acknowledging Some Moms

In the month of Pete Seeger’s 100th birthday – May 3rd was the day – this week we feature songs and tunes to celebrate his life and legacy of singing out for peace and justice! And, since Mother’s Day is just around the corner – this year it falls on Sunday, May 12th – we also save a bit of time for some pieces that, in one way or another, honor and remember moms.

$ & Mother Earth

With the April 15th Tax Filing deadline looming and Earth Day coming along soon after (April 22nd is the day), most of our time in the Song Parlor this week is devoted to songs and tunes about money and environmental issues.