uNi Coffeehouse Concert Folk

The name uNi is derived from the first three letters in Unitarian Universalist but punctuated to be pronounced similar to the phrase, "You and I". This name expresses the sharing which occurs among performers and audience at these intimate concerts. The series has been running since 1985.

The concerts are held one Saturday each month, September through May. One or two additional special concerts are sometimes added to the schedule.

1. WHO'S COMING NEXT?
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
3. DRIVING DIRECTIONS AND MAP
4. COMING SOON TO THE uNi
5. ADVANCE LISTINGS
6. THE uNi FOLK FAMILY
7. LINKS TO OTHER FOLK SITES (including new folk music radio links)
8. LINK TO UU SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
9. SEND US AN E MAIL

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Sat. Feb. 13 at 8 pm, only $15 at the door

Hot Soup!
Almost Valentine's Day Concert

Hot Soup! is Maryland's hot harmony trio
Christina Muir, Sue Trainor, and Jennie Avila.

They will be dishing up a delightful stew of "almost love songs" of all kinds for what will be an "almost Valentines Day" concert.

Sometimes called the Andrews Sisters of the 21st Century, this nationally touring trio serves up rich, intricate vocal arrangements that bring out the best in every melody and lyric. Audiences love the variety in the Hot Soup! repertoire too - from ballads to blues and swing, from retro to funny songs - no two are alike.

The trio's musical diversity extends to their instrumentation - in addition to a variety of guitar stylings, the trio includes conga and other percussion, mountain dulcimer and harp. The focus, however, is always the sweet voices, trading lead vocals and capturing harmonies that raise goose bumps.

They bring a rare blend of spontaneity and intimacy to their performances, often developing hilarious exchanges among themselves and with the audience.

Based in Maryland, all three are talented solo performers with recordings of their own in addition to the trio's three recordings together:

• Sue Trainor is best known for the satirical humor of her songs

• Christina Muir, the daughter of Ann Mayo Muir (of the much-loved traditional folk trio Bok, Trickett and Muir), builds on her musical heritage with her elegant vocals and lyrical instrumentation, insightful contemporary songwriting, flirtatious wit and compelling stories.

• Jennie Avila brings her magnetic stage presence, agile soprano, flavorful original songs, exotic birdcalls and groove-full percussion to complete the irresistible Hot Soup blend. Jennie is a Smithsonian Folkways/Fast Folk Artist who has shared stages with such notables as Pete Seeger and Joan Baez  

   Hot Soup's live shows "sparkle," said Sing Out! magazine.

   “Like no one else in the business.... truly unique,” said the Boston Folk Festival. “Brimming with energy, intelligence and sweet harmonies, Hot Soup serves up a piping hot stew of original and traditional... tunes like no one else in the business. As they focus on a lively give and take of lead vocals and group harmonizing, the trio keeps it's music fresh and displays its talents with varied instrumentation... The end result is a dazzling, intimate live performance that has earned praise from audiences across New England.”

   "Mix the tight, intricate harmonies of the Hills, Herdman, Mangsen trio with the stylistic variety of the Four Bitchin' Babes, then add the zaniness and energy of the Chenille Sisters. You've just made HOT SOUP!" Joyce Sica, Baldwins Station and Cellar Stage, Baltimore, MD.

Visit Hot Soup's own website
http://www.hotsouptrio.com/

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• All coffeehouse style evening concerts begin at 8:00 p.m.and typically end around 10:30 p.m.

• All seats are $15 at the door (unless otherwise indicated). For reservations or further information contact Ed & Beth Brown at edbethui@comcast.net .....or by phone at (413) 562-3990. Reservations are appreciated, but there are usually seats available on the evening of the concert.  Reservations are held only until 7:50 p.m. and are not for any particular seats. We recommend arriving earlier for best seating and parking. Doors usually open about 7:00 p.m. 

• All coffeehouse style evening concerts are held in Friendship Hall of the Unitarian Universalist Society Meetinghouse located at 245 Porter Lake Drive where Springfield, MA borders on Longmeadow and the lovely, wooded Forest Park.

• The hall seats over one hundred and features:
  • - lovely wooded location bordering on Longmeadow and the Forest Park woodlands
  • - easy access from anywhere via Interstate Route 91. Parking lot, plus space along road for later arrivals
  • - acoustic music (not electric, not excessively loud), some very old songs and tunes, some very new
  • - experienced performers from across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain
  • - coffeehouse style atmosphere, relaxed, informal, low stage, candle-light, but no alcohol, no smoke
  • - lively concert hall sound in an intimate setting; performers often mingle with audience during breaks
  • - refreshments available: home made baked goods, hot spiced cider, coffee, teas, & just popped popcorn

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Driving Directions to uNi Coffeehouse Concerts:

All coffeehouse style evening concerts are held in Friendship Hall of the Unitarian Universalist Society Meetinghouse, 245 Porter Lake, Drive Springfield, MA bordering on Longmeadow and the lovely, wooded Forest Park, easily reached from Interstate Route 91. Occasional special Sanctuary Concerts are held in the lovely sanctuary space at the same meetinghouse location.

1. Getting close (how to get to Converse St. in Longmeadow)

1a. Coming from the North, East, or West
NOTE: The directions below assume that you have stayed on I 91 to Exit 1; please do not make the mistake of leaving I 91 before Exit 1 if you are coming
- from the NORTH: I 91 South to Exit 1
- from the EAST: Mass Pike (I 90) to Exit 6; I 291 West; I 91 South to Exit 1
- from the WEST: Mass Pike (I 90) to Exit 4; I 91 South to Exit 1
Take I 91 Exit 1 (Longmeadow); follow Route 5 south (Longmeadow St.) to the THIRD traffic light; turn left onto Converse St.

1b. Coming from the SOUTH there is no access to Exit 1 from I 91 when coming from the south

Take I 91 Exit 49 turn right onto ROUTE 5 north which becomes Longmeadow St. Go JUST OVER 3 MILES to turn right onto Converse St. (at a large intersection with a traffic light)

2. Final Directions (from Converse street)

- follow Converse St. slightly less than one mile to turn left onto Porter Lake Drive
NOTE: if you miss the turn for Porter Lake Drive, you will see a Jewish Community Center on the left. Turn around there & try again watching for Porter Lake Drive on the right now.

- UU Meetinghouse is less than a mile along Porter Lake Drive, on the right. It is a low brick building with a parking lot.

NOTE: if you miss the turn for Porter Lake Drive, you will see the Jewish Community Center on the left. Turn around there & try again, watching for Porter Lake Drive on the right now.

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THE uNi FOLK FAMILY:

The uNi Folk Family includes the dedicated volunteers who do all of the work to make these concerts happen and the long list of performers who have shared their music and stories with us.

The dedicated team of special people who make these wonderful evenings happen continues to be praised by both our audiences and performers alike as one of the finest on the folk music circuit. Regular team members include (in alphabetical order) Ed & Beth Brown, Jimmy Dunn, Kathy and David Hillard, Betty Sue Lentz, Karl Moore, Elaina Szostek, Dave & Carol Tivoli, Sherry Williams, and Pam Woodward.

The performers are drawn from folk music communities across the U.S., Canada, and the British Isles. Both traditional and contemporary folk performers have graced our stage including Gordon Bok, Ed Trickett, Bill Staines, Priscilla Herdman, John Roberts and Tony Barrand, Jeff Warner, Magpie, Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen, Robbie O'Connell, Johnny Collins, Dave Goulder, Tom Lewis, Bob Franke, The Short Sisters, Cindy Mangsen & Steve Gillette, Pat Humphries, Justina and Joyce, Paul Kaplan, Charlie King & Karen Brandow, Magical Strings, Fred Small, Dillon Bustin, Kim & Reggie Harris, Kallet, Cicone, & Epstein, Lorraine & Bennett Hammond, Judy Polan, Susan Trump, Ruth Pelham, Bob Zentz, Tony Cuffe, Anne Dodson & Matt Szostak, Hot Soup!, Atwater- Donnelly, Dick Swain & Nancy Mattila, Chris Timson & Anne Gregson, Gail Rundlett, Debra Cowan, Sara Grey, Joe Hickerson,Taproot, Geoff Bartley, Anne Lister, Woods Tea Company, Betty and Norman Mc Donald, Castlebay, Dan Milner & Bob Conroy, Mike Agranoff, Skip Gorman & the Waddie Pals, Lui Collins, David Roth, Jodee James Band, The Johnson Girls, Dan Milner & Bob Conroy, Jeff Davis, Brian Peters, Ian Robb, Shelly Posen, & Ann Downey of Finest Kind, Cece & Ruth, Robin Huw Bowen, Work o' the Weavers, Doofus, Just Harmony, Cindy Kallet & Grey Larsen, Geordie McIntyre & Alison McMorland, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, Mad Agnes, Small Potatoes, Mustard's Retreat and many others.

The series is sponsored and supported by the congregation of the The Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield.

LINKS TO A FEW OTHER FOLK SITES:

P.A.C.E. = Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton (MA) http://www.pioneerarts.org
- presents a mix of concerts, open mic nights, jam sessions, theatrical productions, classes and more,
Musi-Cal - A very comprehensive listing of concerts and festivals; you can even search by performer to follow your favorites.
NEFFA: New England Folk Festival Association- A well constructed site with special emphasis on the northeast but with many links to other sites
Folk Legacy Records - An excellent source for folk music recordings
Dirty Linen - A strange name perhaps, but a wonderful magazine and major internet presence providing information about the folk music scene.
Folk Alliance - A major force in supporting the interests of folk music in North America
SingOut! - The premiere folk music publication, publisher of "Rise Up Singing", and so much more!
New Song Library - a unique song resource library that collects and preserves songs about people's lives, hopes and struggles, and helps performers, teachers and community activists share these songs with a wide variety of audiences
Robin Blecher Celtic Arts - Includes a calendar of Celtic concerts within 100 miles of Boston,
updated weekly plus information about over 200 venues, radio outlets, and more
Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Song and Story Swap - Provides a chance for anyone in the Pioneer Valley to share their songs and stories with others.
Dulcimer Folk Association of CT- a wonderful, welcoming group of folks who encourage others to join them in making music together just for the joy of it. Beginners warmly welcomed and helped with learning to play; also NOT LIMITED TO DULCIMERS, all acoustic instruments and voices welcomed.
Sounding Board Folknotes http://folknotes.org/
- online version of the newsletter of the Sounding Board which has presented the finest of folk music for over 30 years; lots of other venues' schedules as well as folk radio and festival listings
ezFolk.com -- Folk Guitar, Banjo, and Ukulele Website with Free Tabs & Tutorials!

Folk Radio
(just a few that often play the music of our performers)

WAMC (90.3 FM, Albany, NY): "Hudson River Sampler", Wanda Fischer, Saturday 8:00-10:30 p.m.
http://wamc.org/

WHUS (91.7 FM, Storrs, CT): "Sunday Night Folk Festival", Susan Forbes Hansen, Sunday 7:00-10:00 p.m. 
http://www.whus.org/

WWUH (91.3 FM, West Hartford, CT):) "FM On Toast", Sunday-Friday 6:00-9:00 a.m.
http://wwuh.org/

WMUA (91,1 FM, Amherst, MA): "Celtic Crossings",  Louise Dunphy Sunday 3:00-5:00:00 p.m.
http://www.wmua.org/

WXOJ-LP (103.5 FM, Northampton, MA): "Sing about It",  Johanna Halbeisen Sunday 4:00-6:00 p.m.
http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/

Watch below for just a few festivals that we have personally enjoyed in the past, as the time for each approaches again.

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