The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional and contemporary folk music.

Introduction

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1965 to preserve and support the traditional folk music of the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, USA. This includes the music of ethnic groups and cultural minorities living in the area, as well as that of the region’s mainstream country, old-time, bluegrass, blues, and Celtic communities. The Society also promotes public interest and participation in these musical traditions through concerts, dances, instrument workshops, sing-alongs, jams, and other events.

What is the Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society?

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society (LVFMS) is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting the performance and appreciation of traditional and contemporary folk music in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1963, the society presents a Fall and Spring concert series, an annual Folk Festival, and monthly singalongs. The LVFMS is one of the oldest continuously operating folk music societies in the United States.

History

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional music of the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. The society was founded in 1961 by a group of local musicians and music lovers who wanted to share their love of folk music with the community. The society has been operate continuously since its founding, and over the years has grown to become one of the largest and most active folk music organizations in the country.

The society sponsors a wide variety of events and activities throughout the year, including musical performances, dances, workshops, educational programs, and more. The society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Folk Star, which features articles on various aspects of folk music and culture.

Mission

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance. We sponsor concerts, dances, workshops, jam sessions and other events throughout the year. Our programs are open to the public and membership is not required to attend. We welcome everyone who enjoys folk music and dance.

What does the Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society do?

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s still as popular as ever. The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a group that promotes the traditional and contemporary folk music of the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. They host events, workshops, and concerts that are open to the public. They also have a radio show that features local and regional folk musicians.

Concerts

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society sponsors concerts featuring a wide variety of traditional and contemporary folk music from around the world. We also offer workshops taught by some of the artists appearing in our concert series. Our concerts are held at Godfrey Daniels, a world-renowned coffeehouse in downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Dances

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society (LVFMS) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of traditional folk music and dance.

We hold dances on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month from September through June. We also sponsor an annual Folk Festival on Memorial Day Weekend. (Please check our calendar for specific dates and times.)

We hold contra dances, which are danced in couples in long lines, with the ladies on one side and the gentlemen on the other. The dancers progress up and down the hall, forming new couples as they go. No partners are needed for contra dancing, as you will dance with many different people during an evening.

During each dance, there are several “ figuring out” or teaching dances to help new dancers learn the basic steps. Experienced dancers are always willing to help those who are new to contra dancing.

Workshops

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society sponsors monthly song and jam sessions, usually the first Sunday afternoon of each month except January, June, July and August. We have a featured performer at each session who plays for about an hour, followed by a Jam Session in which anyone who wants to play or sing is welcome. All events are at the First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman Street, Allentown (just south of the Hamilton Mall). Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.

How can I get involved with the Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society?

Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of folk music. The Society offers a variety of ways for people to get involved. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in folk music. The Society also offers events and activities for members and the general public.

Membership

The Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society (LVFMS) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting folk music in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. We accomplish this by presenting monthly concerts featuring nationally and regionally touring folk musicians, holding jam sessions and sing-a-longs open to the public, and sponsoring educational activities such as workshops and open mics. Membership in the LVFMS is open to anyone with an interest in folk music.

As a member of the LVFMS, you will receive our monthly newsletter, The Folk Tale, which keeps you up-to-date on all the Society’s activities. Members also enjoy reduced admission to most of our events. And, because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, your membership dues and donations are tax deductible.

There are several membership levels available:

Family membership – $30 per year
Individual membership – $25 per year
Senior (age 65+) or student membership – $20 per year
Supporting membership – $50 per year
Sustaining membership – $100 per year
Life membership – $500

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available, from helping out at events to working on our website and marketing materials. If you’re interested in volunteering, please send us an email at [email protected] and let us know how you’d like to help.

Conclusion

We would like to thank you for your support of the Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional music of the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.

We rely on the generosity of our members and donors to help us meet our operating expenses and fund our educational and performance programs. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit our website or send a check to:

Lehigh Valley Folk Music Society
P.O. Box 16052
Bethlehem, PA 18016-0052

Thank you again for your support!