The Folk Project Open Stage, North Jersey’s premier open  stage, is back live on the second  Friday of every month. The  Main Stage features two-song (or  ten  minutes, whichever is shorter) sign-up slots for our audience. To sign up to perform email Chairman Todd at openstage@folkproject.org.

Admission: $7 at the door only (tickets for the live show not available online.)  Children 12 and under free but must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

The Project kicks off every summer with a tribute to rock, our Classic Rock Party. It’s a play-along, sing-along, and dance-along night at the Troubadour, where Project members sign up to be lead vocalist on stage, fronting our all-star, electric Broadway Boogie Band.

**Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and play along from the audience.

Lyrics and chords are projected on-screen so audience members can sing along or play along from their seats on acoustic instruments. If you attended last year’s rock party, you’ll be back. The music and the spirit are over-the-top fun.

Imagine yourself fronting an all-star Rock/Broadway Band!

It’s a party, with an awesome band!  It’s an evening full of music, friends, playing, listening, singing, dancing and rocking together.

**For half of the evening members sign up beforehand to lead a song, no originals, backed by our spectacular rock band!  So, join us and sing your heart out!

**The other half of the evening members sign up to perform and accompany themselves. 

The Broadway Boogie Band is composed of the following Musicians.

Alan LeBoeuf: Singer, Songwriter, RCA Recording Artist, Bass Guitarist, performing and recording with the Wrecking Crew and Actor who played Paul McCartney in Beatlemania, member of Baillie & The Boys – charted ten Top-40 singles.

Steve Gibb: Award winning guitarist who has played in Broadway shows; Jersey Boys, Dear Evan Hansen, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and School of Rock – a true internationally renowned musician.

Doug Hall: Keyboardist/ vocalist is the composer of well over 1,000 music scores for advertising and film, recording with such luminaries as Michael Brecker, Luther Vandross and Will Lee. Now returning to his original passion of playing live music, Doug also enjoys teaching piano and music theory.

John Hone: Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Drummer who is the Folk Project’s favorite percussionist and a major talent in the field of ass-kicking rhythms.

To sign up to play a song with the band, no originals:

If playing with the band we need:

1. Song Choice
2. Key
3. Chart – a Word document if possible
4. YouTube link for a version of the song you want to sing.

To sign up to play with the band or on your own:

Email:

Tina Ross – Tina.Ross@FolkProject.org

Alicia Weimer – Alicia.Weimer@FolkProject.org

2024  Video featuring Jean Scully: Hollywood Nights 

Award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant is a shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Christian Charts (the first drag performer to achieve this feat), was nominated for Best Pop Album at the San Diego Music Awards, and was named one of the Top Ten Queer Country Albums of 2023 by Rainbow Rodeo Magazine. Her single “Good Day” also debuted at #20 on the Billboard Christian digital sales chart. Flamy is a winner of the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition and a 2023 QueerX Award nominee for Best Drag Artist and has been featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, People, and more. Her music has over 750,000 streams on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon music. A powerhouse vocalist and intrepid songwriter who blends folk, gospel, and roots, Flamy drags you into a therapeutic, theatrical mix of storytelling and song.

The Folk Project’s Annual 4th of July Music Picnic & Barbecue is always a big hit — filling and fulfilling.

For the exact time and place, see your members newsletter.

Questions? Email concerts@folkproject.org.

The Folk Project Open Stage, North Jersey’s premier open  stage, is back live on the second  Friday of every month. The  Main Stage features two-song (or  ten  minutes, whichever is shorter) sign-up slots for our audience. To sign up to perform email Chairman Todd at openstage@folkproject.org.

Admission: $7 at the door only (tickets for the live show not available online.)  Children 12 and under free but must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

The Kingston Trio is bringing their legendary harmonies, storytelling magic, and the classic hits that sparked a musical revolution to the Folk Project in celebration of the Golden Anniversary of Troubadour Concerts — 50 years of Friday musical magic. From “Tom Dooley” to “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” this iconic group from the golden era of American folk will bring musical history back to life. In celebration of 60-plus years of active performance, this iconic folk group performs their best-loved songs as part of the 2025  ‘Keep The Music Playing’ national tour.

The Troubadour celebrates its Golden Anniversary — 50 years since its inaugural performance on July 25, 1975. We celebrate with a show unique to the Project. Dozens of musicians and singers from our membership will perform.

One month ago, all the members who wished to be in the show put their names into a common pool and were combined into randomly selected duos and trios.  Each of those groups has worked up and will present one song on stage for the show.  It’s a celebration not only of our first show, but of our members, and our creed that everyone’s music is of value.  It’s our party, and you’re invited.  $15 admission includes birthday cake.

Grover Kemble‘s unique and colorful interpretations of jazz, Latin, R&B and original compositions have garnered him considerable attention and acclaim from music connoisseurs and critics for well over four decades. Grover toured nationally with Sha-Na-Na, fronted the highly popular New Jersey band Za Zu Zaz,  showcased and recorded jazz material with the quartet Blow Daddyo, and played Carnegie Hall with jazz great John Pizzarelli.

Elaine Silver is a soulful folksinger and highly acclaimed musician, as well as a touring, performing and recording artist. She has created 22 CDs and counting of mostly original music.

Well-known in her original home state as “The Folk Music Queen of New Jersey” in the ‘80s and ‘90s, she has opened for many of the Folk World’s stars including, Doc Watson, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, The Kingston Trio, Willie Dixon, Tom Paxton and many many others.

Elaine is also a Certified Beatleologist through Beatleology University in the UK, due to a life-long study and passion for the Fab Four.

She will be sharing some of their wonderful music, along with favorites and some original song with the inimitable Grover Kemble.

Elaine Silver Video Link: Welcome to the Garden

The Folk Project Open Stage, North Jersey’s premier open  stage, is back live on the second  Friday of every month. The  Main Stage features two-song (or  ten  minutes, whichever is shorter) sign-up slots for our audience. To sign up to perform email Chairman Todd at openstage@folkproject.org.

Admission: $7 at the door only (tickets for the live show not available online.)  Children 12 and under free but must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Campfire Night at the Troubadour features three outstanding performers, Sam Robbins, Ernie Sites, and Ken Galipeau, singing from the middle of a darkened audience, lit only by warm light of an electric campfire, with make-believe stars across the sky. The only amplified sound will be the croaking of frogs and chirping of crickets played softly in the background. S’mores with marshmallows and hot cocoa, will be served. No bugs invited.

Sam Robbins is an internationally touring singer songwriter, in the vein of classic writers like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, with an upbeat side. He’s the 2021 Kerrville Folk Fest New Folk winner and he was the first to sing a Jim Croce song on The Voice. Sam loves playing listening rooms – they’re his favorite kind of shows to play! Sam’s big on storytelling, audience interaction, etc. Sam will be releasing his third album, “So Much I Still Don’t See” in March of 2025. Video: Bigger Than In Between

A western entertainer and an experienced cowboy, Ernie Sites. Among his many talents, he is a western performer, songwriter, cowboy poet, trick roper, bull rider, rodeo clown, bareback rider, team roper and a calf roper. He has traveled the world over, using his gifts to teach people about cowboys and the west. Western author, Corinne J. Brown, has dubbed Ernie “the urban cowboy troubadour.” Along the trail, he has performed with such luminaries as Riders in the Sky, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, Gene Autry, and the Sons of the Pioneers. He has been a guest on CBS, PBS, TNN, the BBC, and Good Morning, America. Along with these accomplishments, he is also a playwright and has created a fun filled songbook for kids. Video: Happy Yodeling Hoe Down

Contagious energy, sincere enthusiasm, and an eclectic repertoire make Ken Galipeau a singer and storyteller unlike any other. Drawing from both time-tested tradition and his own experiences, Ken’s songs will touch your heart and tease your soul. No matter whether he’s playing for world-weary adults, parents or excited kids, Ken knows just what songs are right for his audience.  Video: The Garden Stage Song

Multi-instrumentalist Marc Muller directs a Note For Note celebration capturing important and beloved periods of the Grateful Dead’s long and illustrious, and stylistically diverse career. He has assembled an impressive cast of world class musicians that have been able to reproduce virtually every note of every instrument, as well as all of the beautifully orchestrated vocal arrangements that are trademarks of the Dead’s classic American recordings, to a level that’s perhaps never been accomplished and performed live in concert before. In keeping with the true spirit of the Grateful Dead, every Dead on Live show also features plenty of jamming and improv that’s sure to keep the kids dancing and shaking their bones.

DOLs Troubadour concert will be their special acoustic version, “Bear’s Choice.”

Christie Lenée—Acoustic Guitarist of the Year and one of Guitar World’s “Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now”—delivers a concert experience that’s as technically dazzling as it is emotionally uplifting. Called “a firecracker [on] a high-wire circus routine” (Guitar Player Magazine), Lenée mixes fingerstyles, two-hand tapping, and improvised percussion to push the limits of acoustic performance. Her shows radiate joy, and celebrate life and love. Her compositions are epic — almost symphonic in their lush and effortless execution. Christie held the Project in awe at our Acoustic Getaway. She’s your rare chance to experience immersive guitar playing at its peak.

Kenny White is the consummate entertainer, an extraordinary pianist, poet, and master storyteller that Troubadour fans will recall from his winning performance as opener and sideman to Cheryl Wheeler when he left quite an impression — moving us from roaring laughter to heartfelt reflection, often within a single song. Our audience asked for Kenny’s return as a full feature and we’re more than happy to comply. Praised as “Mark Twain with a piano” and renowned for touring with Judy Collins and Stephen Stills, Kenny brings his razor-sharp lyrics, rich musical history, and electric stage presence to life. With a career spanning hits with Peter Wolf, film soundtracks, and iconic ad jingles, Kenny now shines center stage.

The Folk Project Open Stage, North Jersey’s premier open  stage, is back live on the second  Friday of every month. The  Main Stage features two-song (or  ten  minutes, whichever is shorter) sign-up slots for our audience. To sign up to perform email Chairman Todd at openstage@folkproject.org.

Admission: $7 at the door only (tickets for the live show not available online.)  Children 12 and under free but must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off.  Her uplifting live performances with her bassist/partner Shawn Nadeau delve into New Orleans jazz, blues, and folk.  Best known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, Heather’s songs and the duo’s musicianship embody honesty, playfulness, and a desire to share from the heart.

Heather’s latest studio recording, Back To The Light, was released September, 2024

Fronted by “Bliss Ambassador” Tara O’Grady, a master vocalist who taught for a decade at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and has recorded five albums of original jazz, blues, and folk music.

Tara’s warm vocals and poetic storytelling are complemented by extraordinary guitarist Vinny Raniolo, a globe-trotting virtuoso seen on PBS, heard on multiple Scorsese soundtracks, and a Troubadour veteran playing with colleague Frank Vignola.

Praised by the New York Times, Juilliard-trained reed player Peter Anderson has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Wynton Marsalis, and Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks.

World-touring bassist Trifon Dimitrov was mentored by jazz legend Ron Carter and has performed at numerous jazz festivals, clubs, TV, Radio and Broadway shows. “

David Wilcox is a masterful storyteller whose acoustic-driven sound connects deeply with listeners. His songs blend intricate melodies with lyrics that capture life’s complexities, turning each song into an emotional journey. A celebrated figure in folk music, Wilcox won the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in 1988, propelling his career forward. His evocative style has earned critical acclaim, including top honors at the USA Songwriting Competition in 2018. Whether you’re hearing him for the first time or the hundredth, Wilcox’s music will speak to your heart, offering a timeless blend of insight, warmth, and storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.

“The Mammals are folksingers Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a dynamic quintet of multi-instrumentalists whose sound spans fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums. Over two decades, this fiercely independent band has built a legacy of genre-defying, politically charged, and emotionally resonant folk-rock praised as “some of the best songwriting of their generation” (LA Times). Their music resonates with urgency and tenderness—amplifying voices of conscience, connection, and the full spectrum of human experience. The forthcoming release, Touch Grass Vol. 1 & 2 (2025), is a double album that rages, reflects, and rejoices—equal parts protest and balm, recorded at their own Humble Abode Music studio. Whether playing international stages or hosting their semi-annual Catskills festival, The Hoot, The Mammals bring warmth, defiance, and harmony to every performance.

“Some of the best songwriting of their generation.” — LA Times

“A party band with a conscience.” — Boston Globe

“A national treasure.” — Anaïs Mitchell”

A Stephen Kellogg performance is like watching Ted Lasso live. Whether he’s playing music or doing stand-up, his shows leave people inspired and restored. For more than two decades, this wordsmith, TEDx speaker, stand-up comic, author and troubadour, has delighted audiences around the world. Planet Bluegrass calls him “a first-class songwriter with a poet’s gift for fresh imagery,” and Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz says of Kellogg, “there are few people in rock n’ roll who are just so great.” He has received the Armed Forces Entertainer of the Year award and has had his work nominated for a Grammy. Rolling Stone magazine describes his sound as “John Prine fronting the Heartbreakers.” The recent “Sit Down & Stand Up” Tour was a one man show that opened to rave reviews from fans and critics alike. A mix of music, humor and storytelling, each performance paints a unique canvas that covers the full spectrum of human emotions. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll go home with a full heart.