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.

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.

Back by Popular Demand

the first Tuesday of January, February and March; 7 to 9 PM. 

Everyone is invited. Refreshments will be served.

Last month (January) a record breaking crowd of 26 people turned out for Game Night.  We played Scrabble, Quiddler, Mexican Train Dominoes, Rummikub, and assorted other games. A good time was had by all.  We encourage you to join us this month.  Please come and bring your favorite game if you like, or get your favorite card game going.  We’ll just see what develops.

Let’s make use of the Library as a space for Nelsonites to gather during the dark of the winter. We hope to see you there!

Let’s make use of the Library as a space for Nelsonites to gather during the dark of the winter. We hope to see you there!

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.

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.

Admission $18/$15(senior, youth & advance online)
click here for tickets

Sally and Claudia met in the fabulous Folkie 80s for the first time, and immediately developed a deep friendship and musical collaboration.  This led to lots of joint touring as well as 2 CDs together before Sally left the road to raise a family.  Throughout, they have maintained the friendship and the musical connection, albeit restricted to a couple concerts a year, when Claudia’s out East or Sally’s back in the Midwest for a family reunion.  Last year they had such a good time with their New England concert that they decided right then and there to record a new CD including songs they’ve been adding to their repertoire over the decades (2, to be exact, since their last release!)as well as some brand new ones just for this project.  They continue to have an amazing ease onstage together (as well as a lot of double dulcimer!) and an exquisite blend when they put their harmonic wits together.  Come and get a sneak preview of what they have up their musical sleeves.

October 20, 2011: The Oxford English Dictionary “Word of the Day:

Nelson, n.¹

Nelson Town Hall
Admission $8 / $6 seniors and students
Beginner’s Workshop 7:30

Sponsored by the Monadnock Folklore Society

The Nelson Second Saturday dance welcomes Luke Donev to his Nelson Town Hall calling debut. Luke recently acquired his PhD in physics, which could make for some remarkable dances!

Music is the solid “New England with an Irish edge: (or Irish with a New England edge) Celticladda, with Randy Miller on fiddle, Bill Thomas on flute and uilleann pipes, and Gordon Peery on piano.

The evening should be nothing short of splendid