Reclaiming Folk: Boston
Saturday, March 22nd, 1pm to 3pm at Rabb Hall in Boston Public Library.
Join us for a celebration of Women’s History month with Reclaiming Folk: Celebrating People of Color in Folk Music at The Boston Public Library, featuring Naomi Westwater, Pamela Means, and Adeline Um, plus a special guest! This programs is brought to you by The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture (City of Boston).
Reclaiming Folk is an event series celebrating people of color in folk music, created by singer-songwriter Naomi Westwater. Folk music is traditional music, folk music is storytelling, folk music is the music of the people, and folk music is a voice for what’s happening in the world today. In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and share the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all.
We are “reclaiming” folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to Blues and Gospel to Indigenous traditions, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.
Founded in 2024, Reclaiming Folk achieved immediate success and support from the community, featuring performances by 15+ artists and traveling to over 10 locations in Massachusetts. The event includes original music from folk musicians singing in the round, cover songs that honor the musicians who came before us, short interviews with the musicians about folk music, and a Q&A from the audience.
The Song Is Still Being Written | Plymouth, MA
Through imagery, conversation and music, renowned photographer Barry Schneier and Boston Globe arts reporter James Sullivan bring local folk music history to life, as they document the artists who paved the way for the folk revolution in Boston and Cambridge, and those who are keeping it alive today and creating its future. Over the course of four years, Barry and James photographed and interviewed more than three dozen artists whose careers were born in this region. Through intimate portraits and their own words, we’ll meet great songwriters such as Lori McKenna and Tom Rush, national stars including Josh Ritter, Peter Rowan and Patti Griffin, local favorites like Mark Erelli, and music legends such as Jim Kweskin and Joan Baez. While many of these artists are well-known, we will also be introduced to newer artists, like Naomi Westwater and Kim Moberg, who are redefining what folk music is today. Spend the evening as Barry and James take you inside their journey and hear performances from Kim and Naomi onstage.
Workshop: Writing from Place
Writing from Place: Crafting Songs from Memory and Sensory Detail with Naomi Westwater
Tuesday, February 11, 7-9PM Eastern/6-8PM Central
In this workshop, we'll tap into the sensory power of a meaningful place to inspire song lyrics. By creating a detailed collage of memories, colors, sounds, and textures, you'll use the vivid imagery of your chosen place to shape a song that captures its essence, from the ground up. This workshop will play with freewrite, form writing, lyric, and harmony.
We Black Folk: Griot Gatherings | Cambridge, MA
We Black Folk: Griot Gatherings is an event curated and organized by digital media artist and past Folk Collective member Cliff Notez, in collaboration with their company HipStory and BAMS Fest. The program will feature award-winning artists including Kemp Harris, Grace Givertz, Cinamon, Zion Rodman, Kayla Blackburn, Devon Gates, Chris Walton, Pamela Means, and former Folk Collective members Cliff Notez, Naomi Westwater, and Lydia Harrell.
Tickets are a sliding scale with a suggested price of $20. Tickets must be reserved. To ensure your seat(s), please reserve your ticket(s) through the buy link.
The Poet’s Envoi Porsha Olayiwola’s Farewell Reading | Boston, MA
Join us for an evening celebrating Porsha Olayiwola and her work as the City of Boston’s Poet Laureate with her final reading in the role. For six years Olayiwola has served as a beacon of the local literary community, uplifting the city’s great traditions and embodying the future of poetry in Boston.
Porsha Olayiwola, City of Boston Poet Laureate
Danielle Legros Georges, Former City of Boston Poet Laureate
Parker-Vincent Alva, City of Boston Youth Poet Laureate
With musical guest Naomi Westwater
Writing 10 Songs In 1 Day
Good Friends Discount available. Sign up with a friend and you’ll both receive 20% off of this workshop by clicking here!
As songwriters, we can often get stuck or reach for the same tools when writing – sometimes songs magically come to us, but often we can be sitting around waiting for inspiration for a long time. This virtual retreat is designed to open up your creativity, help you to dive into flow state, explore new tools for songwriting, and to create a safe container for you to take risks.
We will gather for 7 hours to write 10 songs! Led by Naomi Westwater, each song will include a prompt, freewrite, and a form. With a running clock and a group of songwriters as the best accountability buddies, you’ll walk away with 10 new songs for you to develop and flesh out. And guess what, 10 songs that’s an album!
A week after this retreat, there will be a private virtual open mic where each participant will select one of their new songs to share.
WE ARE OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS TO THIS COURSE – Please email Rachel at rachel@passim.org to apply for a scholarship.
This workshop will take place on Zoom from 11:00am-6:00pm ET on January 5th.
Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sale ends 2 hours before the workshop begins. Tickets can be purchased at the door before the workshop begins. 3 students are required for this workshop to meet. If a workshop is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.
Live Show – Falmouth, MA
Live holiday music as part of Sunday services at Waquoit Congregational Church.
Reclaiming Folk – Cambridge, MA
The Reclaiming Folk Event Series is a celebration of people of color in folk music. Folk music is traditional music, folk music is storytelling, folk music is music of the people, and folk music is a voice for what’s happening in the world today. Featuring Naomi Westwater, Chris Walton, and Kemp Harris, this 90-minute program includes a 60-minute performance followed by a 30-minute talkback and Q&A.
This event is brought to you buy the Cambridge Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Welcome to the 11th annual Winter Solstice Celebration at The Heron Educational Center for the Human Spirit!
Join us on Sat Dec 14 2024 at 5:30 PM for a magical evening filled with community, connection, and celebration. Embrace the longest night of the year as we come together to honor the changing seasons and welcome the return of the light. Enjoy live music, storytelling, and festive activities to mark this special occasion!
Kindly rsvp ahead.
Live Show – Somerville, MA
Come on out to The Burren Back Room TUES, OCT 22 for the EARFULL SERIES experience: music, stories, food, drink, and your ever-so-charming hosts. Drinks & dinner available from 6pm and continuing throughout the night.
Live House Show – New York, NY
Join Lucy Little, Oropendola & Naomi Westwater for a night of music and joy to celebrate the summer season.
Wednesday, August 14th | Doors 6:30pm Show 7:30pm
Tickets are sliding scale, pay what you can if you can: $10-30
House Show | Upper West Side, NY | 96th 1,2,3 stop
Address will be sent to ticket holders 24-48 hours before the event
Please note this apartment has a dog
TICKETS
Live Show – Richmond, VA
Join singer-songwriters Deau Eyes, Nan Macmillan, and Naomi Westwater for a night of folk music and joy to celebrate the summer season.
08/10 | Doors 7pm Show 7:30pm
House show | Richmond, VA | email for address
suggested donation of $15 to be sent to venmo @deau_Eyes
Live Show – Washington, DC
Join Naomi Westwater duo for live folk music to celebrate the season.
08/09 | Doors 7m Show 7:30pm | $15 @ Door
Music on the Hill | 801 D St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Live Show – Philadelphia, PA feat. LARS
Join singer-songwriters Naomi Westwater + Lars for a night of music and joy to celebrate the summer season. TICKETS!
Live Show – Portsmouth, NH
Join singer-songwriters Lily Byrd and Naomi Westwater for a night of folk music and joy to celebrate the summer season.
08/05 | Doors 7pm Show 8pm | $15 ADV $20 Door
Button Factory Stage 909 Islington Street Portsmouth, NH 03801
TICKETS!
Live Show – Boothbay, ME
Join Naomi Westwater duo for live folk music, a ritual to celebrate the season, followed by a talk back with Morgan Mitchell. Doors at 3:30pm, show at 4:00pm. Tickets are sliding scale $10-$30, but no one will be turned away. TICKETS!
Joy Fest – Somerville, MA
Part block party, part DIY-music festival, JoyFest is both a community celebration and a call to support the arts! ✨ Featuring!! 🎶 amazing local bands and an open-mic hour.
1-1:30pm Fly By Brass Band
1:30 - 2:15pm Open Mic
2:30 - 3pm Glutty
3:15 - 3:45pm Otis Shanty
4 - 4:45pm Naomi Westwater
5 - 5:45pm The Band Further Notice