Events

“Song and Story Swaps” in the Adirondacks

This evening event will feature host Colleen Cleveland, an old time ballad singer and traditional musician.  We will try and capture a bit of Adirondack music history, as all participants will be asked to share a song, story, or poem in a round-robin style, around a given theme.  TAUNY hopes that even people who do not consider themselves “performers” will participate. With the permission of everyone present, they plan to record the evenings to edit and add to our Adirondack Music website module.  We want the evenings to be comfortable, informal, and participatory.

  • April 21, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Admission – Free


Open Forge Night – Al Cameron & Friends

Al Cameron and his blacksmith friends will fire up our forges to both demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and encourage others to try their hand at the anvil as you heat, bend and create for the first time.  This might be just the thing to prompt you to take one of the many blacksmithing classes offered at AFS.  Open Forge Nights are May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12 and October 10.  Donations are appreciated that cover the materials & expenses.

  • May – October, 2nd Wednesday of each month
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


BBQ, Square Dancing & Silent Auction

Kick-up your heels for A.F.S.!  Dust off those dancing shoes and kick up your heels for some fun at the Adirondack Folk School as we celebrate the summer class schedule.  You’ll be licking your lips and fingers to capture the delicious flavor of Dizzy Dave’s Backyard Chicken Barbeque.   The Kick-off Party will include a Silent Auction of new and slightly used tools.

  • May 27, 2012 – Sunday
  • 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Admission – $20 member/$25 not-yet member


Adirondack Folk School Festival

Come join in the Celebration of the Adirondacks!  It’s a great time to enjoy seeing what is new at the school, and to celebrate the summer.  Come see Artists’ demonstrations, open fire cooking, tinsmithing, woodcarving, spinning, carding, blacksmithing, storytelling, food and more!  See the website for times & more details.

  • July 7, 2012 – Saturday
  • Times to be announced
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY


The Feeder Canal & Its Amazing History – Jeannie Williams, Executive Director of the Feeder Canal Alliance

The Feeder Canal provides water from the Hudson River to the Champlain Canal, and from the early 1800s until 1928 provided a means of transportation by canal boats for people and goods. The bounty of the North Country – lumber, lime, marble, paper, clay, apples and potatoes – was shipped to New York City and southern markets from Queensbury, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Kingsbury.  In 1928 the canal was abandoned, and the canal and towpath became overgrown and littered with trash.  The canal and towpath today provide recreational opportunities to members of our community as well as providing a glimpse into the past.  
The Feeder Canal is the last remaining original canal in New York State.

  • July 14, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


Logging in the Adirondacks – Dick Nason

Dick is a walking library of knowledge when it comes to the early days of logging and the paper industry that helped shape the Adirondacks.  Having grown up in a family where logging and the mills were in his blood, Dick spent his career with Finch, and brings alive his presentation of historic pictures, films and knowledge of the river drives.  You will get a real sense of the life, challenges and flavor of all this as AFS sits right on the Hudson River where the last of the log drives took place.  Afterwards, you can enjoy roasting marshmallows at our fire ring and walk down to the river overlooking the Rockwell Falls and sense what life must have been like for the river men who floated their logs down to the mills in Glens Falls.  You won’t want to miss this presentation.

  • July 21, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


Dan Berggren in Concert

Dan Berggren

Fresh, acoustic folk rooted in mountain tradition – songs about neighbors, lovers, and hard-working folks, written with wit, soul and great choruses. “Dan is a throwback to the old role of the folk singer . . . he’s articulating things that need to be said right now.” That’s how bestselling author and environmentalist Bill McKibben describes Dan Berggren.  A concert the entire family will enjoy and one that will make you feel even closer to the Adirondacks.

  • July 24, 2012- Tuesday
  • 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

Smokey Greene – An Evening with an Adirondack Pioneer of Country Music – “From Dude Ranches, Rodeos, Honkey Tonk & More”

Come enjoy an evening concert with one of the Adirondacks legends of country music, Smokey Greene.  Hear not only the voice and music that made this man famous, but hear his stories about the early days of the Southern Adirondack’s from his gigs in time long ago.  An evening you won’t want to miss!

  • July 25, 2012- Wednesday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

Tom Akstens in Concert

Tom Akstens may be best known as a member of Big Trout Radio, the folk “supergroup”–and for his musical partnership with the great Neil Rossi.  But Tom also has a long career as a solo instrumentalist, singer and songwriter.  He’s currently at work on a long-awaited solo album, and this will be one of his first concerts to showcase those songs.  “Simply brilliant musicianship. . .” –Montreal Gazette  “Wicked good!” –Chronogram

Tom Akstens is a player’s player…period!  His career, starting during the Folk Revival of the 1960’s, has spanned nearly fifty years, and yet it’s as fresh as the first time he stepped on the stage.  Come hear your Adirondack neighbor cast his musical spell.

  • July 27, 2012- Friday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

 John Kirk & Trish Miller – Square Dancing & High Stepping Fun

Come be part of our Inaugural Square Dance in the new H.H.M. Pavilion.  No experience necessary, just a willingness to come out and have some “good old fashioned fun”!  John & Trish are known far & wide as truly first-class performers – an evening you won’t want to miss.

  • July 29, 2012- Sunday
  • Hours – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

An Evening with John & George:  Folk through the Eyes of two true Masters – John Roberts & George Ward

John Roberts and George Ward are true giants in the world of traditional folk music. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear not only the songs, but also the stories behind the songs with the humor, warmth and deep perspective only these two men can provide!  Traditional tunes and tomfoolery from two of the best!

  • August 1, 2012- Wednesday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

Roy Hurd – in Concert

Come hear what has brought Adirondack audiences out to his performances for decades …a master is at work here.  Roy is a dynamic performer and a world-class singer/songwriter. In the years he has been performing, Roy has played his brand of mountain music nationally, and has developed a following unparalleled in the Adirondack Mountains. Roy’s song Adirondack Blue has become a modern-day Adirondack anthem, and his recordings are regional best sellers.

  • August 3, 2012- Friday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

 Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School


Chris Shaw – “Lies Will Get Told Tonight!”

Oh Lordy… here comes Uncle Walt, and all those songs you’ve been singing along to on the radio, and around the campfire for all these years, peppered with stories to make you howl!  And bring a story or two of your own, as Chris opens this one up for a full bore story swap with the audience under the full, midsummer, Adirondack moon! Bring the kids… this is the stuff memories are made of…

  • August 4, 2012- Saturday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School

John Kribs & Friends - “Anatomy of a Bluegrass Band”

Adirondack singer-songwriter John Kribs, 1984 National banjo champion Chris Leske, 2003 national dobro Champion David Bevins and bassist Arlin Greene present “anatomy of a bluegrass band”.. From the roots of early bluegrass music to today’s “newgrass”, jazzgrass and “Dawg” music, this exciting concert features some of the greatest players in the country. .  .

  • August 5, 2012- Sunday
  • Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • $10 AFS member adults, $15 not yet member adults, children FREE

Pay at the door – admission helps support the Adirondack Folk School


 

Raptor Fest – A Presentation of Live Birds of Prey – Richele Ford

Richele is one of the most passionate presenters and brings an amazing collection of her live birds of prey for all to see.  Living in Coeymans Hollow with her husband, Geoff who is also a falconer, she really enjoys sharing her birds with people who love being able to see them close up and gain a better understanding of their role in the environment.  Come and see the difference between the hawks, owls, and falcons.  Richele’s knowledge and enthusiasm for these beautiful birds is contagious.

  • August 11, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


“Blacksmithing – it’s fun & Anyone can do it!” – Mark Aspery

Mark is a certified journeyman smith with the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, (a UK guild started in London in 1324).  His training as a smith started in the United Kingdom in 1976, working for a small fabrication and engineering firm.  One of our nation’s most skilled smiths, Mark will not only share his insights into the world of blacksmithing, but also demonstrate his skills as he shares with you, why blacksmithing is something anyone can do and so much fun!

  • August 18, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


Traditional Pack Basket Construction – Bliss McIntosh

Bliss is one of only a handful of basket makers who still have the knowledge and skill to make the truly traditional pack basket.  Starting with a Black ash log, Bliss will demonstrate how the logs are pounded to form wood splits that are then shaped into the traditional “belly” shape of the basket so recognized throughout the region.   This will be a treat for historians, basket makers and anyone with a love of the Adirondacks!

  • August 25, 2012 – Saturday
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Admission – Free, but donations are welcome


Bountiful Bowl Benefit

The Bountiful Bowl Benefit is our way of lending a hand in our community as we serve up delicious food served in hand-thrown bowls.  The Bountiful Bowl, (our 3rd year) supports the Maxfield Community Food Pantry in Lake Luzerne through the generous donation of over 200 one-of-a-kind hand-thrown bowls that are then filled with soup, salads and chili.  New this year will be fresh out of oven breads made in our new wood-fired bake oven.  There will be craft demonstrations & music.

  • September 2, 2012 – Sunday
  • 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • $20 member / $25 non-member


Gifting the Adirondacks Holiday Fair

AFS instructors will showcase their wares and some will demonstrate their crafts.  The school will be filled with authentic Adirondack articles to make your holiday shopping pleasant and convenient.   Throughout the month of December the school will extend its gift shop hours on Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun afternoon.  Additional time & information will be listed on the website.

  • November 30, 2012 & December 1, 2012 – Friday & Saturday