Folk Music in St. Louis MO

St. Louis has a thriving folk music scene with many talented performers. Check out this blog to find out where to go to enjoy some great live music.

Introduction to Folk Music

Folk music has been around for centuries and has been constantly evolving. It is a genre of music that is passed down orally from generation to generation. Folk music is usually about the everyday life of the people and their culture. It is often about love, loss, and struggle. Folk music is a very important part of the musical history of St. Louis, MO.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a type of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally. It is usually associated with a particular country or region, and it often reflects the traditional culture of that area. Folk music may be sung in a traditional style, or it may be mixed with other genres to create a new sound. Some folk songs are very old and have been passed down for centuries, while others are relatively new.

The History of Folk Music in St. Louis

Folk music has been around since the early days of St. Louis. The city has a rich history of folk musicians and music venues. The first folk music venue in St. Louis was the Gaslight Square. It was a popular destination for folk musicians in the 1960s.

Early Beginnings

folk music in St. Louis has a long and varied history. The city has been home to a number of well-known folk musicians, including Mark Twain and Bob Dylan. The city has also been the site of several important folk music festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the Chicago Folk Festival.

The earliest known folk musician in St. Louis was French-Canadian fiddler Pierre Menard, who settled in the city in 1803. Menard was followed by a number of other French-Canadian musicians, who helped to establish the city’s reputation as a center for French-Canadian music. Irish and German immigrants also brought their own musical traditions to the city, resulting in a rich and diverse musical culture.

In the early twentieth century, the city’s folk music scene was dominated by vaudeville and minstrel shows. These shows featured songs that were often humorous or sentimental, but which sometimes addressed serious social issues such as racism or poverty. Many of these songs were later collected by folklorists such as John Lomax and Hally Wood, and they remain an important part of the American folk music tradition.

The Great Depression resulted in a significant increase in the popularity of folk music, as people turned to this inexpensive form of entertainment to help them cope with economic hardships. This new interest in folk music led to the founding of several important organizations devoted to its preservation and promotion, including the National Folklore Society and the American Folklore Society.

The tradition of collecting and performing folk music continued into the twentieth century, with important figures such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Pete Seeger helping to popularize this uniquely American art form. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in folk music, due in part to the success of such artists as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Today, there are many active performers and collectors of folk music in St. Louis MO area , keeping this important part of our cultural heritage alive for future generations

The Civil War Era

During the Civil War, St. Louis was a Union stronghold and both armies frequently passed through the city. The Union Army recruited several regimental bands, including the renowned United States Marine Band, which played for president Abraham Lincoln on several occasions. Meanwhile, Confederate prisoners of war were held at Gratiot Street Prison and were entertained by local musicians playing music from the “Old South.” One Confederate prisoner, John J. Geoghegan, even wrote a memoir of his time in the prison, which included descriptions of the music he heard there.

The Rise of Ragtime

Ragtime first developed in the late 1800s, and became popular in the early 1900s. It is a style of piano music that is syncopated, or includes accents on unexpected beats. Ragtime was enjoyed by all social classes, and was often played in saloons and vaudeville theaters. St. Louis was a hotbed for ragtime, and many of the most famous ragtime composers were from the city, including Scott Joplin, Joseph Lamb, and James Scott.

The Folk Music Scene in St. Louis Today

The folk music scene in St. Louis is thriving! There are many venues that feature folk music, and the city hosts several folk music festivals each year. The music scene is vibrant and offers something for everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about folk music in St. Louis, read on!

Traditional Venues

The St. Louis music scene has undergone a great transformation in recent years. New sounds and new genres have found a welcome home in the city, but the traditional folk music scene is still going strong. If you’re looking for a taste of the old-time music, there are still plenty of places to find it. Here are just a few of the traditional folk music venues in St. Louis:

The Focal Point
This charming little club in Maplewood has been a mainstay of the local folk music scene for decades. The Focal Point features live music every night, with a focus on acoustic and Americana styles. The venue also hosts regular open mic nights and dance lessons, making it the perfect place to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun.

The Burro
Located in the Tower Grove neighborhood, The Burro is another longstanding fixture on the St. Louis folk music scene. This intimate bar provides a relaxed atmosphere where locals and visitors can enjoy live music seven nights a week. The musical offerings range from jazz and blues to bluegrass and country, so there’s sure to be something to suit everyone’s taste.

Off Broadway
Off Broadway is an eclectic live music venue that has been showcasing local and touring talent since 2000. The club features a variety of genres, but folk music is always well represented. Past performers have included such folk luminaries as John Prine, Ani DiFranco, and Joan Baez, so you can be sure you’ll hear some great tunes if you stop by Off Broadway for a show.

Contemporary Venues

The St. Louis folk music scene is vibrant and alive, with a wide variety of venues for enjoying live music. Here are just a few of the places where you can find folk music in the city today:

The Focal Point: The Focal Point is one of the most popular folk music venues in St. Louis, known for attracting some of the biggest names in the genre. The intimate setting is perfect for enjoying live music, and the acoustics are excellent. You can also find a variety of classes and workshops offered here, making it a great place to learn more about folk music.

The Mudlark Public Theater: The Mudlark Public Theater is another great option for live music in St. Louis. This intimate venue offers a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy live music from local, regional, and national acts. There’s also a full bar onsite, making it the perfect place to enjoy a drink while you listen to some great tunes.

Off Broadway: Off Broadway is a well-known theater in St. Louis that occasionally hosts folk music events. When they do, it’s always a special treat! This historic theater has been hosting musical performances since 1978, so you can be sure that their acoustics are top-notch. If you’re looking for an enjoyable evening of live music in a beautiful setting, Off Broadway should definitely be on your list.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a great deal of diversity in the folk music scene in St. Louis. There are many different genres represented, and many different styles of performance. If you’re looking for something specific, you’re sure to find it here. But even if you’re just looking to explore, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. So come on down and check it out!