House Concert Magic

Posted on March 12, 2015 by chestnuthouseconcerts

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Allison Russell with her daughter Ida.

“Whether it’s 30,000 people at a festival or 30 people at a house concert, each venue has its own magic” ~ Allison Russell from Birds of Chicago

Birds of Chicago return to Chestnut House Concerts on Sunday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. The usual potluck will take place at 6:00 p.m. before the show.

If you’re unfamiliar with BOC and their sound, the video below provides a sampling of their songs and a little bit about the band. If you’d like to experience some of the magic on March 22, RSVP with Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com or call/text 717940-9311.

Something for Everyone: 3 upcoming shows include soul, folk, roots, old-time and world music.

Posted on February 28, 2015 by chestnuthouseconcerts

Mando Planet (Jack Dywer and Tim Connell) played at Chestnut House Concerts in March 2014 and we’re excited to have them return on April 10, 2015 to play the world’s music on sixteen strings. Their set typically includes music from Ireland, Brazil, the Appalachians, Africa and the African Diaspora, Greece, The Jewish Diaspora, and the Balkans.

The Corn Potato String Band plays traditional American music and all three members are multi-instrumentalists. In addition to being champion fiddlers they play banjo, guitar, bass and mandolin and deftly handle many different antiquated styles including ballads, “ho-downs,” country “rags” and southern gospel, specializing in twin fiddling and double banjo tunes. The Corn Potatoes will be at Chestnut House Concerts on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

Birds of Chicago won the hearts of the Chestnut House Concert audience in September 2013 and they will return on Sunday, March 22, 2015 for another evening of music. The Birds of Chicago just finished recording a new album Real Midnight with producer Joe Henry and they will share some of their new songs with us.

For all three shows the evening will start with a potluck at 6:00 p.m. followed by music at 7:00 p.m. To save a seat contact Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com or call/text 717.940.9311. Suggested donation of $15/20 per person.

Artist Updates

Posted on November 11, 2014 by chestnuthouseconcerts

The Stray Birds the_stray_birds_-_best_medicine_sm_2

The Stray Birds’ new release “Best Medicine” is a 12 song CD recorded at Stonebridge Studios in Leesburg, VA and produced by the band and Stuart Martin. 10 of the tunes are originals with the same intelligent lyrics and tight harmonies that we learned to love from their first album, The Stray Birds. The two traditional tunes included are ‘Who’s Gonna Shoe’ and ‘Pallet’; the latter being my favorite because I love the spirit that Charlie brings to the lead vocals.

Banjo Babes Lindsay

If you’re looking for a 2015 wall calendar, you might want to consider Banjo Babes. It features two artists that were at Chestnut House Concerts this fall, Lindsay Lou and Evie Ladin.

We’ll have to wait for 2016 and hope the other banjo babes that have been at Chestnut House Concerts like Laney Jones, Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago), Laurel Premo (Red Tail Ring), Rachel Baiman (10 String Symphony) and Greta Bondesson (Baskery) will be featured in the next calendar.

The proceeds from the calendar are used to promote banjo music.

Billy Strings & Don Julin

You know a band has got talent when they are booked to open for two of the greatest musicians in the history of bluegrass – Del McCoury and David Grisman. Five shows in November starting tomorrow (11/11/14) at City Winery in New York, NY.

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The Barefoot Movement

Congratulations to The Barefoot Movement for winning the “Band of the Year Momentum Award” from the International Bluegrass Music Association in October, 2014. This band will make a return appearance at Chestnut House Concerts on Sunday, December 7, 2014. Show at 7:00.

The next concert will be guitarist and singer/songwriter David Jacobs-Strain. David will be playing with Bob Beach (vocals, harmonica) on Sunday, November 23, 2014. Potluck at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm. Email Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com to reserve a seat, or find us on Facebook.

One Year Later

Posted on October 1, 2014 by chestnuthouseconcerts

In September 2013 Chestnut House Concerts started the fall series with Birds of Chicago. At that time Allison was nearing her final trimester of pregnancy. She gave birth to Ida Mauve the last week of December, 2013.

Hopefully the next time her parents visit Chestnut House Concerts for a show we can meet her in person.

Tomorrow night (October 1, 2014) we’re hosting Evie Ladin & Keith Terry. There is room for more guests so contact us during the day if you’d like to come to the show. 717-940-9311 or tlehman9@gmail.com, potluck at 6, show at 7.

Seed of a Pine: Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer

Posted on November 3, 2013 by chestnuthouseconcerts

We first communicated with Mandy Fer (Ferrarini) and Dave McGraw about their upcoming November show at Chestnut House Concerts 10 months ago. Since that time we’ve built an online friendship with this duo from San Juan Island, Washington who met & started their music in northern Arizona. They sent us their CD, Seed of a Pine, allowing us to become familiar with their music – and we sent them numerous venue recommendations on our coast to help them fill out their tour. Their friends and music collaborators Allison Russell & J.T. Nero (Birds of Chicago) opened our 13-14 concert series in September.

It’s not long into the CD until the listener begins to understand the connection between this group and the natural world. Seed of a Pine contains song titles such as “Grow”, “So Comes the Day”, “Western Sky” and “Serotiny”. I have to admit that I needed to ask Tim about “serotiny” – when pine seed release occurs in response to an environmental trigger (like fire) rather than spontaneously at seed maturation. Tim explained that in some trees, like the Ponderosa Pine, the cones are covered with a wax which in a wildfire open in response to the heat of the blaze, scattering seeds onto soil newly fertilized by nutrients in the ash.

Dave McGraw is a wildlife biologist and both his and Mandy’s songs contain phrases such as “tornado of joy”, “pouring like rain”, “thirsty ripe sage”, “landscape of violence and joy”, “wind blow so soft now”, “tallest pine top” and “riverbed longing for the rise”. They sing about love, places they have been, and the natural world.

They take turns singing the lead on their songs, Mandy plays electric guitar and Dave acoustic guitar. Others have likened their sound to artists Greg Brown and Patty Griffin.

At Chestnut House Concerts we ask for a donation at the door of $15 – $20, and because it is a small venue we do need to know in advance that you would like to attend. Please call/text 717-940-9311 or email Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com.

There’s an introductory video of Dave and Mandy below – but you can see them in person on Saturday, November 16th. Potluck at 6:00 pm, the show starts at 7:00 pm.

Don’t Judge a Song by Its Title

Posted on September 16, 2013 by chestnuthouseconcerts

In planning for the house concert on Wednesday night I’ve listened to the Birds of Chicago’s CD as well as songs by both JT and Allison’s earlier work (JT and the Clouds / Po’ Girl).

I found myself skipping “The Moonglow / Tapeworm” on their album – simply because of the tapeworm reference. Shallow, I know – but how good could a tapeworm song really be?

It’s good. It’s so good I might even request it. Maybe.

We have a few seats available for Wednesday night. Potluck at 6:00, show at 7:00. Email tlehman9@gmail.com or text/call 717-940-9311.

7 Day Count Down

Video

If you have not yet made up your mind about attending the upcoming house concert “Birds of Chicago”, perhaps this video of “Flying Dreams” will help you decide.

Recommended donation is $15-20 and all you need to do to reserve a seat is text or call 717-940-9311, or email tlehman9@gmail.com. You can also find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChestnutHouseConcerts

Wednesday, September 18. Potluck at 6:00 pm, show at 7:00 pm.

Birds of Chicago – September 18th

Posted on August 18, 2013 by chestnuthouseconcerts

There are lots of things I like about my husband Tim and his skill at photography ranks up there pretty high. We have lots of framed photos in our home from his trips abroad but some of my favorite photos are ones that he’s taken of musicians while they are performing. It’s pretty tricky – the photographer has to wait until the artist is: a) far enough away from the microphone that it doesn’t obscure too much of the face, b) not making a grimace or strange expression – which most singers do as they put emotion into their voice, c) free of instrument tuners, event wrist bands and stage clutter. Sometimes all these stars (A,B,C) align & photo magic happens.

One such magical photo was taken in Portland, Oregon at the Alberta Rose Theater of Allison Russell. Allison was performing with J.T. Nero, Chris Kokesh, Lincoln Crockett, Mikey August and Jason Montgomery. On Wednesday, September 18th Birds of Chicago (Allison Russell and J.T. Nero) will be at Chestnut House Concerts for the first show of the 2013-2014 series.

Birds of Chicago falls in the general category of Roots/Americana with the smooth voice of Allison mixing with J.T. Nero’s husky vocals. Both artists are song writers and they blend aspects of gospel, folk and soul with ukulele, guitar, clarinet and banjo instrumentation. Seats for the show are saved by emailing tlehman9@gmail.com or calling/texting 717-940-9311. The name of each person attending is requested in advance and donations of $15/20 are accepted at the door.

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