It's been just over 5 years since I started selecting and presenting music, first for Cooldog Concerts, and now as part of the Delaware Friends of Folk.

It can be quite overwhelming to go through the many submissions that we receive from musicians who would love to come perform in Central Delaware. My only regret is that we don't have enough dates to fill with the enormous talent that's out there.

At his last Cooldog Concert in September 2007, the late, great Robert Hazard performed many songs from the CD he released one month later. He talked a lot about the CD - his first in a multi-CD deal with label Rykodisc. He also spoke warmly about his recording experience with his producer, a singer-songwriter named Karen Savoca. As most of you probably remember, Robert passed away this past August, just 2 months before he was scheduled to perform at the Delmarva Folk Festival.

In early 2008, the Friends of Folk hosted a return coffeehouse appearance by Garnet Rogers. That night, Garnet performed a song by Karen Savoca, and he recommended we check her out. He mentioned that she had an ability to "harmonize with herself". He also said that her musical partner, Pete Heitzman, was one of the best guitarists that he had ever known. That's pretty high praise coming from Garnet Rogers, who is no slouch with stringed instruments.

So I came home and realized that not only did I have a CD from Karen, I had just received an email from her agent asking when she could come to Delaware to perform. Clearly, somebody was trying to tell me something.

So, this month, we welcome Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman to our coffeehouse series. Karen and Pete had an all original, dance-driven group for many years, and later decided to strip it down to a duo, but retaining the ability to sound like a full band. Pete plays guitar, but will mimic a cello, pedal steel, or whatever is necessary to get the point across. Karen provides vocals and a variety of hand percussion instruments, providing a groove that has been described as "putting the Funk into Folk".

Karen & Pete have been on The Today Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and a host of major Folk Festivals. Their music has been heard in movies and documentaries, and they have scored two feature length films.

Opening for Karen & Pete will be one of the finalists from the Delmarva Folk Hero contest, Sarah Flynn. Sarah is a University of Delaware student who has only recently emerged on the local Open Mic circuit with her own songs, but she impressed our audience enough to win herself a Finalist slot. Every time we see Sarah, she just grows and matures as a performer, so we can't wait to hear her again on the 17th.

It all starts at 7:30 pm, January 17, in the Wesley College Chapel, corner of Division and N. Bradford, in Dover. Admission will be $7 for members, $10 for non-members, half price for students, and Wesley students will get in for free. And of course, ages 12 and under are free - we encourage you to bring the "Young Folks" out so we can pass our traditions along to the next generation. If you haven't renewed your membership yet, you can do that at the gate. We’ll have plenty of hot coffee and cool drinks, and we'll be baking fresh cookies for your snacking pleasure. Don't forget to bring a donation for the Food Bank of Delaware - in these tough economic times, they need your support more than ever. Come out, bring a friend, and be part of the happening.

-- Beth Fizell, DEFF Board Chair

As you look toward the holidays and plan on what 2009 will bring us, it's time to renew your membership in the Delaware Friends of Folk.

It's one of the greatest bargains out there - just $10 for an individual, and $15 for a family membership. Membership Benefits

• Discounted admission to Coffeehouses
• Discounted admission to our Annual Folk Festival
• Monthly newsletter with Friends of Folk news and area musical happenings
• Invitation to exclusive Members-Only events like our annual "Pick-N-ic" in the summer, annual membership meeting in December
• Ability to vote at our annual membership meeting each December
• The joy of being part of a great organization that supports folk music in Delaware!

You can sign up or renew at our shopping page.

Remember, we are a real live 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. That means that your donations to Delaware Friends of Folk are likely tax deductible, but we know you’ll check with the experts before trying to rip off Uncle Sam. We are beginning to work in a few other directions, like sponsoring workshops and perhaps other educational efforts. Got a few extra dollars? Got some ideas on how we might use them? Let us know.

This Saturday, January 10th from 3pm to 5pm, the Delaware Friends of Folk will celebrate the return of the Pick-In!!!

The place will be Cody's, on Route 13 in Woodside. In case your GPS needs a real address, here it is: 492 Walnut Shade Road, Dover, Delaware 19901

What's a Pick-in? It's a session where musicians sit around and swap songs, with other musicians joining in when they can. Talent is optional - this is about fun and sharing music, so don't be shy.

Not a musician? No worries - you're still welcome to come by and listen in, maybe sing along (or just mouth the words if you must).

During the event, Cody's will be offering $1 drafts to musicians, so come join in the fun.
This is an All-Ages event, so it's open to those under 21 as well.

There is NO COST to this event - free admission. So bring your instrument and we hope to see you there!

You can read more about it in this article from the Dover Post.

-- Beth Fizell, DEFF Board Chair

The Delmarva Folk Festival Committee needs a few good men and women to help.

This means YOU!

If you’re interested, call Kae at (302) 736-5585.

The first 2009 Festival meeting will be March 4, 2009 beginning at 6:30 at Sheridan’s Irish Pub in Smyrna.

Are you on Facebook? Check us out, be our friend. Just search for "Delaware Friends of Folk" and befriend us!!!

Thanks to new Board Member Storm Longhauser for setting it up!