Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

Singer-songwriter Pete Nelson will join Sept. 7 Song & Story Swap

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

Saturday, September 7, 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 performer for the Sept. 7 Song & Story Swap will be singer-songwriter and author, Pete Nelson.

Pete Nelson is a gifted storyteller, whether the medium is the printed page or a song lyric. His songs comprise two CDs released on the Signature Sounds label, The Restless Boys Club, and Days Like Horses.

Pete received his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. He has published both fiction and non-fiction in a variety of national magazines, including Harpers, Playboy, Esquire, MS, Outside, The Iowa Review, National Wildlife, Glamour and Redbook. His writing gigs have included work as a columnist for Mademoiselle, a staff writer for LIVE Magazine and a contributing editor and feature writer for Wondertime magazine. His novel. I Thought You Were Dead (Algonquin, April 2010), set in Northampton, tells the story of a man and his beloved talking dog, Stella. The novel was named an Indie Next #1 Choice and reached the NEIBA Bestsellers List.

In 2022 he collaborated with recording artist Tracy Grammar to bring an original musical play titles "Last Request: A Love Story." An early performance was staged at The Drake in Amherst.

Maine Public Radio has described Pete Nelson as "America's best unknown songwriter." Come enjoy his creativity at the Song & Story Swap on September 7.

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

The September 7 Song & Story Swap will be held 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 October 5, 2024 Song & Story Swap will present Canadian folk duo Scott Cook and Pamela Mae.

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.