Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

January 2026

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Jan. 3 Song & Story Swap will feature folksinger-songwriter Bill Ludwig
King of Hearts Kickstarter

Troubadour Bill Ludwig will join January 3 Song & Story Swap

Jan. 3 Song & Story Swap will feature folksinger-songwriter Bill Ludwig

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

Saturday, January 3, 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.

Guest performer for the January 3 Song & Story Swap will be prolific singer-songwriter Bill Ludwig.

Based in Connecticut, Bill Ludwig has been designated Manchester Town Troubadour emeritus. He is an active community organizer, serving as chairperson of the Manchester Arts Commission, and founder of the Manchester, CT Songwriters Association. He is winner of the 2017 Farmington Acoustic Festival Judges Award and in 2024 was inducted into the Manchester, CT Arts Hall Of Fame.

Bill Ludwig has released more than a dozen solo albums, this year's "Incredible Shrinking Man" being his most recent work. He also plays and records with folk-Americana trio, MARMO.

Come catch Bill Ludwig's set at the January 3 Song & Story Swap in Amherst.

Attendees will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of "Optimism" during an opening round of sharing.

This month’s theme is Optimism This month's theme is 'Optimism'

The January 3 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 February 7, 2026 Song & Story Swap will feature multi-instrumentalist Michael Nix.

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.

Kickstarters invited to support release of Paul Kaplan's King of Hearts CD

Paul Kaplan, host of the Song & Story Swap since 1999, is embarking on a project to release his vinyl album King of Hearts as a CD. Originally recorded at the legendary Speakeasy club in Greenwich Village in 1985, the album includes classic songs such as "I Had an Old Coat" and "Take Out the Garbage When You Go" and many other gems.

Anyone interested in supporting Paul with his project is invited to donate to the King of Hearts Kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulkaplan/king-of-hearts-cd-andlp.