Upon hearing blues legend Bobby Bland for the first time at age 14, Gina Sicilia was instantly enthralled by the raw emotion and power of blues and soul. Gina’s critically acclaimed debut album, "Allow Me To Confess", was released less than three years ago. Her impressive talent was recognized by the Blues Foundation, earning her a 2008 Blues Music Awards nomination for "Best New Artist Debut". This soulful, passionate vocalist and songwriter has just completed her sophomore album. Entitled "Hey Sugar", this musical masterpiece showcases Gina’s stunning vocals, as well as her gift as a unique songwriter, capable of writing soulfully and effectively in a multitude of genres. The record is a reflection of Gina's diverse musical talent and tastes. Now an internationally touring artist, this is only the beginning for, as she will undoubtedly continue to make her mark among the new generation of musical artists. "Not since Susan Tedeschi has a young female blues singer made such a strong impression...remarkable voice" -
Blues Revue Magazine. Don’t miss her debut to our stage!

www.ginasicilia.com -  Listen to sound clips

Lehigh Valley favorites Lori Donovan and Jeff Roberts open the evening for us. Known far and wide as performers, teachers, and supporters of our area music community, Lori's sultry vocals accompanied by Jeff on guitar are the perfect duo for warming up the room.

www.DonovanRobertsDuo.com -  Listen to sound clips

The spawning ground for new artists! Open Mike features a grab bag of regional talent. During each 3-song/15-minute set, you may hear anything from guitar pickers and budding singer-songwriters to pianists, fiddlers, comedians, poets, and storytellers. Many a notable act started here. Watch history in the making! Sign-up is just before 7:00 p.m.

Old-Time music is the real thing: music the way it is supposed to be, played for the sheer joy of swapping songs and having a good time. Come to our own back porch session and bring your guitar or banjo, fiddle or mando, bones, what have you. Just for the fun of it!

Traditional Irish and Celtic music session.

Come join us for an evening of jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, and songs. All musicians, singers, dancers, and other lovers of Irish music welcome. Hosted by Ed Saultz and Fred Gilmartin.

Pianist, composer, and Bucks County native Eric Mintel leads one of the country’s finest straight-ahead jazz quartets. They have played here twice before to rave reviews, and now they have updated their repertoire to include more of Eric’s melodic and high energy original compositions for which they are well known. The quartet is completed by Nelson Hill on sax, Dave Antonow on bass and Dave Mohn on drums. If you enjoy jazz, you won’t want to miss these talented performers in our intimate setting.

www.EricMintelQuartet.com/  -  Listen to sound clips

Godfrey Daniels is delighted to present this wonderful singer/songwriter from Nashville.  Paste Magazine called Amy Speace’s latest release, “The Killer In Me” (Wildflower Records, 2009) a “resolutely hopeful take on heartache and loss…beautiful lyrics are spun with a soulful, husky voice that lilts like a country sweetheart but mourns like Leonard Cohen”. NYC’s Top AAA station, WFUV, recently named “Killer” in its list of Best Albums of 2009 and Top 3 Songs (“Weight of the World”). Discovered by Judy Collins and signed to her Wildflower Records imprint, Collins calls Speace “one of the best young songwriters in America…I am a total fan.” She has appeared on Mountain Stage, had a song featured as Song of the Day by NPR, and has toured with Judy Collins, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nanci Griffith and Ian Hunter.
 

www.amyspeace.com  -  Listen to sound clips

We are honored to have the very talented John Arnold present this enjoyable and informational program on Godfrey’s stage this Mother’s Day. John is currently on the faculty of Bethlehem’s Moravian College, where he is also founder and director of the annual Bethlehem Guitar Festival. Although he is better known to Godfrey Daniels and the Lehigh Valley as part of Two Part Invention and Satori, he has also appeared as featured soloist in the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra’s Valley Vivaldi series, as well as performed at the Guitar Foundation of America, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and on National Public Radio.

This show will be an interesting compilation. The first half will consist of renaissance pieces on the lute and classical pieces on nylon acoustic guitar, which will include well-known works by Isaac Albeniz, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Fernando Sor, and J.S. Bach. The second half of the show will feature fingerstyle compositions on Martin steel string guitar. Original compositions will include a homage to Michael Hedges and the "Martin Guitar Suite". The five-piece musical collection spans the history of the 177-year-old Nazareth, PA based guitar maker and will include the songs “1833,” “196 Hudson St. Blues,” “Cherry Hill,” “Fear Not & Dreadnought,” and “Claire Frances,” as well as recognizable tunes including a Beatles medley. This show promises to be a wonderful conclusion to a special day. Don’t miss it!

Lucky are we to add Bluegrass music to our monthly community jams! Join Fred Gilmartin and friends for a fine music circle in the tradition - bring your instruments and voice, or come just to listen and tap your feet.

Godfrey’s is pleased to present storytelling. Join us and the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild for this special night. Bring a story to tell.

www.lvstorytellers.org/

NYC & Philadelphia Songwriters in the Round

We are pleased to present three incredibly talented writers and singers on one special evening of original and captivating songs. From the stage where legends are made, we’re honored to share their music:
Lizanne is well known for her floating vocals and lyrical juxtapositions; her apparent depth and transcending warmth make for an inviting mix of music which moves easily through dark poetic ballads - to roots driven folk and folk rock. "We've rarely had as big a reaction to any artist in recent years that we've had for Lizanne Knott." Bob Harris, BBC2

www.lizanneknott.com  -  Listen to sound clips

Since moving to the northeast, Reed has experienced a series of career changing milestones. He most recently won the Grand Prize at the New York Songwriters Circle.  The Circle has helped launch careers of artists like Norah Jones, Gavin Degraw, and Kate Voegele.  

www.reedwaddle.com   -  Listen to sound clips

From our backyard in Easton, Brittany Ann is a music therapy major at Temple University, and she is taking the Philly scene by storm with her trademark ethereal melodies, intricate finger-picking, and soulful lyrics. Described by a critic as “one part Joni Mitchell and one part Natalie Merchant”, catch this young star on her rise

www.myspace.com/BrittanyAnnMusic  -  Listen to sound clips  

David & Robin call themselves "hopelessly romantic," "defiantly immature" and "usually hungry." But whatever the reason, their love affair between music and their audiences has yet to show signs of slowing down.” Ron Olesko (Traditions host—WDFU) called singer-songwriters Buskin & Batteau the highlight of 2009’s NERFA. “Their harmonies and wonderful presence onstage is as captivating as ever.” Boston music critics tag them as “post-folkies on cruise control, sexy and magical,” describing their music as “acoustic heaven.” They continue to offer their audiences "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit.” - The Washington Post

www.buskinandbatteau.com  -  Listen to sound clips

The spawning ground for new artists! Open Mike features a grab bag of regional talent. During each 3-song/15-minute set, you may hear anything from guitar pickers and budding singer-songwriters to pianists, fiddlers, comedians, poets, and storytellers. Many a notable act started here. Watch history in the making! Sign-up is just before 7:00 p.m.

Swing is back - big! This is the night: Western swing, big band Dixieland, and more. Bring sheet music. All instruments welcome.

Gene Bertoncini has firmly established himself as one of the most eloquent and versatile masters of the guitar. With elegance and ease, he bridges jazz, classical, and bossa nova styles, integrating his own spontaneous and tasteful improvisations along the way. He has earned highest critical acclaim for his artistry. He has a very unique sound as his chosen instument for jazz stylings is the nylon string classical guitar.

Some of the performers who have sought out Gene's guitar artistry include Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Vic Damone, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Paul Desmond, and Burt Bacharach.

www.frankdibussolo.net

The critical acclaim Malcolm always deserved finally arrived with “Gamblin’ House” through publications like Rolling Stone, The Wallstreet Journal, and Billboard Magazine. He’s been featured in BBC and NPR interviews. Born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Malcolm Holcombe is being recognized by the contemporary U.S and European folk/Americana community as a performer of national stature, and an uncommonly unique guitarist/vocalist about whom Rolling Stone magazine says: "Haunted country, acoustic blues and rugged folk all meet here..." Malcolm’s voice is a low growl, his music rough, ragged, and unbelievably powerful. Simply riveting.

www.MalcolmHolcombe.com  -  Listen to sound clips

Since Yarn released its debut album in 2007, the band has been puddle-jumping from one career highlight to the next, from charting on the Americana Music Association’s Top 40 to performing live on National Public Radio’s Mountain Stage to making an appearance on the Grammy ballot. Winner of the 2007 Independent Music Awards for Best Alt Country song of the year, Yarn came to us by way of a WXLV member concert a couple of years ago, and we’ve wasted no time in bringing them back to the LV for you, our musical connoisseur audience. Acoustic, bluegrass, and Nashville outskirts sounds, teamed with sophisticated lyrics, make for a decidedly fresh evening of entertainment. Come out and meet Blake Christiana, Trevor MacArthur and their bandmates, and hear the stories they spin. And pick up their third album while you’re here, the brand new ‘Come On In’.

www.YarnMusic.net  -  Listen to sound clips

$16.50 plus $1 processing fee - Advance Sale

www.ClaudiaSchmidt.com

Join a friendly group of Songwriters in the Round, be inspired and turn your works in progress into polished gems. If you're an experienced writer or have just always wanted to write a song, come share the craft of songwriting. Hosted by Steve Walker.

A low-volume get-together for swapping songs and riffs with other blues players. Hosted by Tavern Tan featuring Doug Ashby, Tom Axcel, Andrew Brubaker, and Dave Joachim.

Since 2004, California Guitar Trio member Bert Lams and Chapman Stick player Tom Griesgraber have been performing primarily as a duo but also dual soloists. Their music draws from their highly eclectic backgrounds and includes everything from the music of Bach and Chopin to original pieces and California Guitar Trio (CGT). Bert is a co-founder of the CGT with Paul Richards (U.S.) and Hideyo Moriya (Japan). An honors graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Tom Griesgraber is one of the world's most active performers on the Chapman Stick; a unique 12-string guitar and bass hybrid played more like piano with both hands sounding notes. He is an active composer and arranger for the instrument and his shows generally include a mix of original material as well as arrangements ranging from Bach to the Beatles. Join Bert and Tom as they return to our stage for this unique evening of their transcending music.

www.thossounds.com/lamstg.html

$19.50 plus $1 processing fee -Advance Sales

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