The Story of Godfrey Daniels
Board of Directors
Mission  
Vision

Mission:

Godfrey Daniels exists to create and nurture the appreciation of traditional and contemporary folk music and performing arts by providing an intimate environment where professional artists, amateur performers and audience members will be enriched by the unique experience of live performance.

Vision:

The Vision of Godfrey Daniels is to present the finest of folk music and performing arts through the "Godfrey’s Experience"; that is, the presentation of the folk arts in a comfortable and spontaneous environment, accessible to all ages and backgrounds. We seek to provide this rich experience by creating an intimate link among the musicians, audience members, and volunteers, an experience rarely found in our society today. Godfrey Daniels stands out by providing professional yet non-intimidating performance conditions; encouraging aspiring regional talent, and further developing the fabric of our local musical arts community. We value the heritage of folk music, linking our past to our future. We are a vital part of the cultural fabric of the South Side Bethlehem and greater Lehigh Valley communities.

The Story of Godfrey Daniels

(or, “Just What Exactly is Godfrey Daniels, Anyway?”)

Once upon a time, there was a greasy little donut shop on the South Side of Bethlehem. Sadly, its owners had abandoned it for bigger and better things. But, to Dave Fry and Cindy Dinsmore, it glowed with the radiance of the dream they shared --- or was that leftover donut glazing? On March 17, 1976 (after hours of cleaning, painting, and scraping “donut goop” off the floors and walls), Dave and Cindy opened the doors of their new coffee house, called “Godfrey Daniels” after the euphemistic expletive favored by W. C. Fields. The performers that night, who included Dave Fry, the Shimersville Sheiks, Mary Faith Rhoads and other local musicians, played to a small, but enthusiastic, audience. Friends pitched in to help run the shows and send out flyers, and even though most of the money taken in at the door went to the performers, Godfrey’s somehow managed to stay afloat.

Over the years, Godfrey’s has grown from a little-known haven for lovers of live folk music* and delicious brownies to an internationally acclaimed club on the “folk circuit.” In 1978 Godfrey Daniels became a nonprofit corporation, and today, as in the early days, most of the money you spend on admission still goes to the performers. The big financial difference now is a result of Godfrey’s very successful membership program, begun in 1984, which has made possible numerous “luxuries” like air conditioning and a computer.

That’s the story of Godfrey Daniels. We’d like to thank our over 700 members and 250 volunteers who help keep Godfrey’s running smoothly with their generous donations of money and time. Click on Godfrey’s membership or volunteer programs for more information.

*folk music n 1: almost any form of music not involving large money gains, including, but not limited to: bluegrass, blues, rag-time, old-time country, rhythm and blues, Celtic, swing, singer-songwriter, new age, jazz, do-woop, and even early rock and roll.

Board of Directors: