Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

Debra Cowan will join March 7 Song & Story Swap

March 7 Song & Story Swap will feature Debra Cowan

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

Saturday, March 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.

Guest performer for the March 7 Song & Story Swap will be silver-throated folksinger Debra Cowan.

A former middle school math teacher who left her career to pursue music in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cowan has become a full-time performer known for bridging the old and new with a refreshing stage presence. She is widely praised for her warm alto voice and her mastery of both unaccompanied singing and guitar-based arrangements in the great tradition of folk legends like Joan Baez and Judy Collins.

Rosanne Cash has described her voice as one that "beautifully combines Celtic and Appalachian sensibilities... deeply satisfying, lyrical and musically elegant." Cowan has released six recordings, including the live album Among Friends and her most recent EP, Greening the Dark, which features a sophisticated folk-rock sound produced by Dave Mattacks. She tours extensively throughout North America and the United Kingdom, performing at prestigious venues such as Cecil Sharp House in London and major festivals like the Old Songs Festival.

For eleven years Debra Cowan frequently performed and worked with her mentor, the distinguished ballad singer John Roberts who passed away in 2025.

Catch Debra Cowan at the March 7 Song & Story Swap in Amherst.

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

This month’s theme is Here's to the Women This month's
theme is 'Here's to the Women'

The March 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 April 4, 2026 Song & Story Swap will feature singer-songwriters Louise Coombe and Cliff Eberhardt.

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.