Nelson Congregational Church
Come join us for a simple meal of soup and bread and salad at 5:00 followed by stories and photos from the Garrett-Larsen’s trip to Burkina Faso West Africa! Donations will be accepted to offset the cost of the food. Donations of desserts encouraged and welcomed!

Spread the word!

More info: Joy Birdsey or Dawn Garrett-Larsen
603-847-3280

The Monadnock Folklore Society is excited to present home-town boy Jeff Murphy and his band, ‘Wooden Dinosaur’, to celebrate the release of their new CD ‘Spaces’ at the Nelson Town Hall Admission is $12/$9 (senior, youth, & advance internet).
Click here for more info and tickets.

“Wooden Dinosaur makes the kind of simple, stripped-down music that leaves you feeling nostalgic and longing for more.”
-NPR’s All Songs Considered

Wooden Dinosaur is an original six-piece folk ensemble with members from throughout New England. The band makes music that is deeply American, yet forward thinking. Built around the songs of Brattleboro-based guitarist Michael Roberts, Wooden Dinosaur uses a diverse array of instruments – fiddle, upright bass, drums, trumpet and euphonium – in its tasteful arrangements of original material. Though “indie-folk” is the label most often applied to this music, alt-country, blues, old time, and jazz influences are woven into the band’s signature sound.

Wooden Dinosaur’s debut album, Nearly Lost Stars (2010), garnered both regional and national attention, and cemented the band’s reputation as a fresh voice in the New England Americana scene. Since then the group has toured throughout the Northeast and shared the stage with some of the country’s most exciting new acts, including The Devil Makes Three, Brown Bird, The Low Anthem, Joe Pug, Rusty Belle and David Wax Museum.

The band spent 2011 working on their second full-length album, Spaces. Much of the recording for the new album took place at a house in Nelson, over July 4th weekend. Recorded in between family-style BBQ’s and trips to the local swimming hole, the album reflects the group’s dedication to a diverse array of American musical traditions.

Opening the show will be Dollar General, the new project from Vermont composer and guitarist Michael Chorney. This folk-jazz group features the rhythm section from Anais Mitchell’s acclaimed Hadestown Orchestra, along with pedal steel player Asa Brosius. The band plays Chorney’s original songs, which show jazz, country and folk influences, and reflect Chorney’s unique approach to the craft of songwriting.

This is from her performance in The Hotel Nelson.

Nelson Town Hall

Pot luck, followed by dancing with calling by Lisa Sieverts, music by Harvey Tolman, Gordon Peery, and probably a plethora of other musicians. At some point the dancing stops and people migrate to Center Pond for fireworks.

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Nelson Second Saturday Contra Dance on January 14th, featuring Lisa Sieverts calling with Roger Treat on fiddle and Gordon Peery on piano.

Dancing begins at 8:00 PM. Beginners and singles are welcome — there is a short orientation before the dance for early arrivals — and all dances are taught throughout the evening. Admission is $8, $6 for senior citizens and students. For more information call 603.762.0235 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contradances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mother
by Janny Scott

The New York Times bestseller-an unprecedented look into the life and character of the woman who raised a president.

Barack Obama has written extensively about his father but credited his mother for “what is best in me.” Still, little is known about this fiercely independent, spirited woman who raised the man who became the first biracial president of the United States. This book is that story.

In A Singular Woman, award-winning New York Times reporter Janny Scott tells the story of this unique woman, Stanley Ann Dunham, who broke many of the rules of her time, and shows how her fierce example helped influence the future president-and can serve as an inspiration to us all.

Come here the Nelson Town Band performing holiday music. It’s FREE and it’s FUN.

The Monadnock Folklore Society brings this community event to the Nelson Town Hall each year, admission is $5, and treats are appreciated for the dessert potluck. This year the evening will begin with a holiday concert featuring a selection of traditional and original seasonal music; as part of the concert 2011 Johnny Trombly Scholarship recipient  will entertain us with their musicianship. The Folklore Society invites you to bring along your favorite holiday dessert and we’ll supply the beverages for the intermission. After the concert the chairs and benches are cleared to make way for a traditional New England Contradance. Unfortunately, or not, the dance is often interrupted by various groups of unsavory characters presenting their idea of seasonal entertainment. These diversions, sometimes involving costumed individuals making complete fools of themselves or performing ancient ritual dances to help us through this dark time of the year, are generally tolerated as once they are applauded and fed we can return to dancing the night away.

Come by the Nelson Congregational Church to hear the Nelson Town Band playing Christmas Carols and Holiday Songs as the church is being decorated. Then around 7:00 outside for caroling and the lighting of the church tree and the town tree.