Welcome to our website!
Thirty-nine years strong! The Folk Club is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the appreciation of music and the preservation of folk traditions. Each Tuesday we host an open mic and/or special monthly events, including concerts and member showcases. Come join us any Tuesday. Whether you choose to listen, perform or both, you’ll find the Folk Club to be a friendly and enjoyable experience you’ll want to repeat.
Every Tuesday at 7:15 pm, Amphora Diner Deluxe, 1151 Elden St, Herndon, Virginia 20170
News, Notes & Quotes
Tuesday, April 9th!
April Showcase:
Rick Landers and Heartland
Rick Landers is an author, publisher, and singer-songwriter who co-wrote a book on press releases for working musicians, published e-books on music theory, the Blues, Free and Bad Company, Vic Flick, and others, and has published and served as the Feature Editor for Guitar International magazine (2004 – 2024).
Landers works with Heartland, a group comprised of Ron Goad (percussion); Jim Nagle (dobro); and John Werntz (bass). They have been recording at BIAS Studios, with some featured players: Christopher Johnston (NOVA Symphony Conductor); violinist extraordinaire Dave Kline (Dwight Yoakam, Chick Corea), and pianist, author, and songwriter Ben Mason.
Rick’s setlist for the show will feature: Maria, She’s Better Than Me, Cross Country Drive, Hollywood & Vine, Big Cadillac, Frozen in a Photograph, and more!
See the full article on Rick in our Monthly Newsletter!
Folk Club Theme Night: Duets & Harmony Songs
April 16, 2024
The inspiration for this theme came from Connee Chandler, who recently heard Sonny and Cher’s You Got Me Babe and it gave her an idea. So vocal harmony is the name of the game for our April theme night. There’s something about songs with harmonies that transforms them into something special. So musicians can grab singing partners and figure out how to sing songs together.
We hope open mic musicians can partner up with others to come up with duets and harmony songs, hopefully without stepping on each other’s toes (by choosing the same song) – but even then we’d say “Go for it.” The obvious choices are Everly Brothers, Beach Boys, Beatles, Simon & Garfunkle, Mamas & The Papas, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, ABBA, America, and many more. And in theory any song can have harmony vocals added to it.
So come and see what songs your friends choose. You might hear some celestial harmonies.
Note: Our theme nights are fun and filled with surprises. It’s an opportunity to try something a little different and have a good time with it. We encourage performers to present performances that fit the theme. But that doesn’t mean it’s required: anyone who signs up can play whatever they want to share and that will be fine, too. But everyone will appreciate those who sing in harmony with musical friends.
A Passing to Note:
Appreciating Jim Rosenkranz
Jim Rosenkrans, one of our early members who attended regularly for many years, passed away on March 13th. Thoughts and memories of Jim:
I just can’t think of the Folk Club, or the FC Campouts, without seeing Jim. Possessed of a most impressive mind, Jim’s depth of knowledge was unbelievable. Loved listening to him and Dave Hurd talk about just about anything. Between the two of them, they seemed to know it all! – Ellen Kaminsky
I’ll always remember Jim playing his guitar while singing the most complicated lyrics. Jim was a kind, thoughtful man who truly enjoyed sharing music with other folk club musicians.
– Marty Jenkins
I was able to visit with Jim the day he died. He seemed to know I was there – waved goodbye when I was leaving. I feel lucky to have been able to say good bye, for myself and his long time folk club friends. Yes, Jim was a dear man, proud curmudgeon, lover of music and folk club, his family, cars, carpentry and computers, writer of epic Christmas letters, faithful commuter to Folk Club from Frederick… – Sue Beffel
I have fond memories of Jim and his music at the folk club from the Tortilla Factory days, especially when he sang with his daughter. – Liz Graham
I always enjoyed being around Jim and hearing his songs and stories.. He had a cache of very different and enjoyable songs. And his lasagna was great. – Jane Tatum
My fondest memories of Jim are from Folk Club campouts when he and Dave Hurd would discuss topics of the day. Their arguments (not fights, but actual debates) were fascinating! Jim loved bawdy songs and knew quite a few to regale us with. He will be missed. – Pam Day
Jim is probably regaling the angels with “Have Some Madeira, My Dear” or one of his many other comical songs. Jim helped make the Folk Club a better place. – Dan Telfer
Jim’s obituary – https://www.staufferfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-rosenkrans-iv. A celebration of life event is planned, most likely in Reston. If anyone would like to make a donation in memory of James Post Rosenkrans IV, his family suggests either of the following:
American Heart Association Maryland | American Heart Association
Folk Club of Reston-Herndon – c/o Allen Hobson – 810 Elden St – Herndon VA 20170 We are thankful to have known him and mourn his passing. And we send love to his family and all who loved and knew him.
ALTERNATE MONDAY NIGHT VIRTUAL OPEN MIC
Al Hobson continues to host a virtual open mic on Zoom every other Monday night. The next Alternate Monday Virtual Open Mic is April 15th, 2024. Send an email to Al (treasurer.folkclub@gmail.com) if you are interested in performing or listening.
“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” ― Leonard Bernstein
