Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

Folk trio Orlen, Gabriel & Avery will be featured performers at Nov. 4 Song & Story Swap

Orlen, Gabriel & Avery will join at Nov. 4 Song & Story Swap

Please come share in an evening of music and stories at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Song & Story Swap.

Saturday, November 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at First Church, 165 Main St., Amherst, MA. Free parking is available in back of the church, and the meeting room is near the front.

The featured performers at the Nov. 4 Song & Story Swap will be folk musical trio Orlen, Gabriel & Avery.

Orlen, Gabriel, and Avery are known for their rich vocal harmonies, lap steel slide licks, and ragtime inspired guitar.

Michael Orlen is a singer-songwriter with roots in the Boston music scene of the late sixties and early seventies. He was a frequent performer at legendary Boston venues including the Sword in the Stone and Turk’s Head. He performed alone and later as a member of folk pop duo “Orlen and Gabriel”, as well as the popular seventies acoustic rock trio “Home Free”. Michael's songs are confident expressions of optimism with a dose of irony thrown in. He draws on an extensive knowledge of twentieth century folk, blues, and ragtime music to choose songs that resonate in today’s world.

Vocalist Chris (Gabriel) Orlen adds her strong melodious voice and well-honed harmonies to the trio's repertoire.

Trained as a classical musician, Dennis Avery took up the dobro and steel guitar in college. In 1976 Avery connected with Dick Boehmer and Al Canali to form the western swing and bluegrass band, Small Change. After retiring from running his family store in Charlemont, he began devoting more time to music and touring. He has joined forces with Greenfield favorites Pat and Tex Lamountain, and adds his instrumental skills to the Uncle Hal's Crabgrass Band.

On November 4 we are fortunate to have Michael Orlen, Chris Gabriel Orlen and Dennis Avery together on one stage performing a set at the PVFS Song & Story Swap. Don't miss it.

This month’s opening round theme is Thanks This month's opening round theme is 'Thanks'

The November 4 Song & Story Swap is being held in person at First Church, 165 Main St. in Amherst, Mass., at 7pm. Parking is available in the lot behind the church.

Looking ahead to next month, the December 2, 2023 Song & Story Swap will present renowned singer-songwriter-guitarist John Sheldon.

The Song & Story Swap is held on the first Saturday of each month, excepting July and August, and is organized by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society. Visit the Folklore Society website at pvfs.us.

The Song & Story Swap is open to the public, free of charge with donations accepted ($5 - $10 is suggested).

People of all ages gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written, or of personal experiences. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or story. Listeners are welcome.

For information contact Paul Kaplan, (413)-687-5002 or visit https://pvfs.us.