Folk Music in CT: A Guide
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Looking for some great folk music in Connecticut? Check out this guide for the best places to catch live folk music in the state!
What is folk music?
Folk music is a type of traditional music that is typically passed down from generation to generation within a community. It often reflects the culture of a particular region or group of people. Folk music can be songs, instrumentals, or both. It is usually performed by people who are not professional musicians.
Where can I find folk music in CT?
Folk music in CT can be found in a few different places. There are a few music festivals that showcase folk music, as well as a few coffee shops and bars that have regular folk music nights. This guide will help you find folk music in CT so that you can enjoy this type of music.
Festivals
There are plenty of ways to enjoy folk music in Connecticut! Here are some of the most popular folk music festivals in the state:
-The New England Folk Festival is held annually in Mansfield, CT. This three-day festival features live music, dance, food, and crafts from all over New England.
-The Litchfield Jazz Festival is held every summer in Litchfield, CT. This five-day festival features some of the best jazz musicians from all over the world.
-The Hartford Folk Festival is held annually in Hartford, CT. This two-day festival features live music, food, and crafts from all over the world.
-The Newport Folk Festival is held annually in Newport, RI. This three-day festival features live music, food, and crafts from all over the world.
Concerts
Folk music concerts are a great way to enjoy live music and support the local music scene. Here are some of the most popular folk music venues in CT:
The Lighthouse ORDER BY date ASC
The Lighthouse is a popular folk music venue located in Fairfield, CT. The venue features a variety of local and regional folk musicians performing live on stage. Concerts are held on Friday and Saturday evenings, and tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Downtown Coffeehouse
Downtown Coffeehouse is a intimate coffee shop located in Shelton, CT that features live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. The venue features a variety of local and regional musicians performing a mix of genres including folk, blues, jazz, and more. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
The Buttonwood Tree
The Buttonwood Tree is a non-profit music and arts venue located in Middletown, CT that features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The venue features a mix of local, regional, and national performers from a variety of genres including folk, rock, jazz, world beat, and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Radio
In addition to the local and national radio Programs that play folk music, there are also a number of internet radio stations that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Here are a few of our favorites:
-Folk Alley: Folk Alley is a 24/7 folk radio station that is part of NPR. You can listen to Folk Alley online or on the app.
-The Village Green: The Village Green is an internet radio station that plays a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music.
-WSHU: WSHU is a public radio station based in Fairfield, CT that offers a wide variety of programming, including a folk music show on Sunday mornings.
What are the benefits of listening to folk music?
There are many benefits of listening to folk music. Folk music can provide a sense of community, can be a source of entertainment, and can be used to teach history. Folk music can also be used to promote local businesses and to support local artists.
It’s calming
Folk music has been shown to have a calming effect on the listener. In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers found that participants who listened to folk music had a decrease in heart rate and cortisol levels (a stress hormone) compared to those who listened to rock music or no music at all.
In another study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers found that participants who listened to folk music had a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms compared to those who listened to pop music.
Folk music has also been shown to improve sleep quality. In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers found that participants who listened to folk music before bed had improved sleep quality compared to those who didn’t listen to any music at all.
If you’re looking for a way to relax and reduce stress, consider listening to some folk music.
It’s nostalgic
Folk music has a way of transporting us back to simpler times. It can remind us of our youth, or of a time when we didn’t have all the responsibilities we have now. It can take us back to a time when the world seemed more innocent and carefree. Listening to folk music can be a way of escape, of taking a break from our hectic lives and reconnecting with our roots.
Folk music can also give us a sense of community. It can remind us that we’re not alone in our experiences, that other people have gone through the same things we have. Folk songs often tell stories of love and loss, of joy and sorrow, of triumph and failure. They can make us laugh and they can make us cry. But most importantly, they can make us feel less alone.
It’s educational
Folk music often tells stories or historical events. When you listen to folk music, you can learn about other cultures and the history of the people who sing the songs.
What are some of the most popular folk songs?
While many people associate folk music with the guitars and harmonies of The Beatles, the genre has a much richer history. Folk music has its roots in the oral traditions of cultures around the world, and has been passed down through the generations by people who may not even be aware of its origins.
“The Water Is Wide”
“The Water Is Wide” is a popular ballad that dates back to the 17th century. The song is about a lovers’ quarrel and has been adapted and covered by many artists over the years. It is particularly popular in the Celtic music genre.
Other popular folk songs include “Danny Boy,” “The Wild Rover,” “Black Is the Color (of My True Love’s Hair),” and “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen.”
“The House of the Rising Sun”
“The House of the Rising Sun” is a folk song from the United States. The song tells the story of a young man who goes to New Orleans and gets caught up in the gambling and debauchery of the city. The song is thought to be based on a real house in New Orleans that was known for its illicit activities.
“Down in the Valley”
“Down in the Valley” is a historic American folk song variously known as “The Coal Creek Song”, “The Convict’s Song”, “Oh, Shenandoah”, and “The Lonely Miner”. It was popularized by Vernon Dalhart in 1924, but is likely of earlier origin.
The song is about a young man from the Shenandoah Valley who is imprisoned for stealing a train engine (or, in some versions, for killing a man while stealing the engine). He is sentenced to death, and his last request is to see his sweetheart one more time before he dies.
