LETTER to MEMBERS

THE BOUNTY OF FESTIVAL SEASON

Greetings, fellow music-lovers, 

                Heartfelt congratulations to Charles Kiernan on his Recognition of Excellence from The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission. The Individual Award is given to someone who supports and promotes a branch of the arts beyond the requirements of his profession in a way that benefits the Bethlehem community, and the award is designed to reward exceptional leadership, vision, and service. Charlie, we are proud to know you, and honored to have your organization, the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild, as a community partner. Thank you! 

                Festival season is officially upon us – I was fortunate enough to attend neighboring New Jersey Folk Project's (www.FolkProject.org) annual Spring Festival – over 30 years and still going strong. This particular event is held in the intimate surroundings of a YMCA camp in northern New Jersey, near the Delaware National Forest – attendance is limited to under 200, so the vibe is secluded, and at the same time communal, with cabins and cabin-mates, meals taken together in the dining hall, with a full weekend schedule of concerts, dances, workshops and more communing with the artists. Featured this year: Bob Franke, Christine Lavin, bluegrass with Straight Drive, and Peter Blue and Avant Gardeners dance band, and a handful of local artists filled out the weekend. Certainly all of these are artists you've seen or are likely to see here at Godfrey's. 

                That is both the beauty and the challenge in working hard to present the best in live music to you, our audience, here at Godfrey's. All around the region are any number of live music choices on any given evening, or weekend. We try not to see other events and venues as competition, but rather as places where our audience may experience an even broader range of music than our limited number of dates per season allows. Artists that you – and we - might like to see at Godfrey's at another time – we're open to suggestions! We've likened it to the Auto Mile on Lehigh Street – where your selection is broadened by the different and differing auto dealerships – each with its own special brand or – in our case – blend, for you to choose from. And to gain some insight – and pleasure - in each place that you stop in and experience. 

                We were so impressed with the bluegrass sound of Straight Drive, that we are now working on bringing them into Godfrey's for the listening pleasure of our audience. And Straight Drive was selected for the Folk Project's festival, when one of the FProject organizers experienced some of the band's music at the Pine Woods Festival sometime last year. Word of mouth and expanding our arts communities – be a part of it by volunteering, supporting with membership, attending live music concerts and other cultural events. It's out there for your participation, on any and every level. 

                We have a very special artist coming to Godfrey's and the Lehigh Valley in July – Nashville bluegrass artist and multiple Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale! We caught his half-hour set at a special re-opening of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville in February, and knew instantly that we wanted to put him on our stage – for you! Check with our box office or the web site for details on how to get your tickets, before the show sells out! 

                Keep an eye on Bethlehem's First Friday calendars – Godfrey's is now a participant. See you on Fourth Street! 

Adios, 

Ramona