Everyone who was present will surely remember Saturday nights concert with Kevin Burke and Cal Scott as one of the finest evenings of music presented by the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club. The opportunity to witness to musicians of this caliber was seized upon by the audience, and many new faces were seen in the audience. Most of us knew that Kevin Burke is THE most influential Irish fiddler on the scene today, a title he has held since his work with the Bothy Band in the 1970’s. Those of us who were able to share in the music in the intimate setting of the Hurdy Gurdy also experienced the warmth and humor that he freely shared. Cal Scott, while not a household name, is also well regarded in music circles – producing soundtracks to numerous PBS documentaries and as a member of an Oregon folk group – The Trail Band. 
Left to right- Kathy DeAngelo (from McDermott’s Handy), Ron Olesko, Kevin Burke, Cal Scott – at the Hurdy Gurdy on May 19, 2007
It was a superb evening, and it was the second to last concert that the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music club will offer in Paramus, NJ.
Last week, the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club signed an agreement with the Borough of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The Borough of Fair Lawn will become an official co-sponsor of the Hurdy Gurdy starting this September, enabling the Hurdy Gurdy to move the concert series to the brand new Fair Lawn Community Center. The Center features a beautiful 171 seat auditorium with state of the art digital sound and lighting, a close stage that offers an intimate performance opportunity, and comfortable theater style seats – not a bad seat in the house!
Our new home!
The move to Fair Lawn comes after months of discussions and planning. The Central Unitarian Church in Paramus has been the home to the Hurdy Gurdy for over 20 years. There are many memories in that building that will be cherished forever. A literal “whos who” of the folk music world performed on the stages in the church. Personally, I recall evenings with Christine Lavin where she introduced us to a new singer-songwriter named John Gorka. Schooner Fare was an annual fixture during the early years of the clubs existence. Many a evening was spent in the presence of legends such as Tommy Makem, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Mike Seeger, Doc Watson, Dougie MacLean and many others. Eric Bogle has made the Hurdy Gurdy a regular stop on his U.S. tours. I’m sure many of you can also recall your favorites, and I would like to invite you to add a comment below (click on the envelope icon at the end of this story). We are very grateful to the Central Unitarian Church, and we thank them for all they did to help us exist over the years.
It was a difficult decision, but the Borough of Fair Lawn offered us a number of benefits that will help insure the existence of the Hurdy Gurdy for many years to come, and insure that the area continues to experience the finest in acoustic traditional and contemporary folk sounds. The theater at the Community Center elevates the music to the proper setting it deserves – a comfort for the audience and performer that will translate into some very special concerts.
Having a co-sponsor like the Borough of Fair Lawn will enable us to pursue additional programs and events that will enable the club to more than just concert presenters. We can truly be a “club” and offer some special events. It will be exciting to watch the club develop.
The move to Fair Lawn is actually a return to the Hurdy Gurdy’s original home! The club started in the early 1980’s, first in a local Fair Lawn school and then moving into a Temple before eventually settling in Paramus. As one board member said to me last night, there is something that feels “so right” about returning to Fair Lawn – a town that welcomes us with open arms.
With all this exciting news, there is also another bit of club news. I am sad to report that Club president Bernice Epstein and vice president Jerry Epstein have stepped down from their positions as well as from the board of directors. Bernice and Jerry have been a part since the very beginning. We are happy to report that they will continue working with the club, and have been very supportive of our move. They held the club together through the years and we are lucky that they will be remaining with us as we move to Fair Lawn.
I will always remember my first visit to the Hurdy Gurdy, when they were operating out of the Temple. I went to see Christine Lavin, and she put me on her guest list. I arrived at the show, thinking how great this is – folk music in New Jersey – no parking hassles, affordable prices, and great performers. I entered the building and the first face I saw was Judy Rogers. I told her who I was and that I was on the guest list, when all of us a sudden a voice boomed out – “Ron Olesko! We have a radio star with us!!”. It was Bernice Epstein. I was still rather new on radio, and a bit naive. While I was a bit embarrassed at being recognized, she also made me feel like a million bucks. I soon met everyone at the Hurdy Gurdy, and over the years the group became very dear friends. They supported WFDU and TRADITIONS over the years as our strongest supporters. We shared in a common goal – perpetuating folk music, especially in Bergen County and the surrounding area.
I was honored again two years ago when I was asked to join the board of directors and also become the booker for the club. It has been a challenge, but one I accept with the knowledge that I am following in a line of bookers that have kept this club thriving over the years. I hope I can do as well, and this season (my first as solo booker) has been very rewarding.
I was honored again when I was recently asked to become the interim president of the club. It is not easy following Bernice Epstein. I hope that I can match her dedication, leadership and warm personality. We all owe Bernice and Jerry our gratitude, and I promise that I will do my best to follow their example.
So, there is much more to come. Our lineup will be announced shortly. I can tell you that we will open up at the Fair Lawn Community Center on Saturday September 15 when we present Canada’s musical comedy jesters – The Arrogant Worms with special guests, Brooklyn’s own old-timey troubadours – The Second Fiddles. Tickets will go on sale shortly and we urge you to become a member of the club and get tickets early! Our 2007-2008 season will be memorable! Join us as we create new memories.
There will be one more show in Paramus. On Saturday June 2 the Hurdy Gurdy will present Tom Callinan and Don Sineti in an evening of “songs of the sea”. This will be a rousing going away party, and we hope you will come and wish us well – and share in an evening of folk music presented by two stalwart veterans of the sea music scene. Tom and Don are members of The Morgans, a group that has been performing in New England for several decades. We are honored to have them, especially as this “final” evening takes on a new significance! Visit our website at
http://www.hurdygurdyfolk.org/. This final concert in our “old home” will be held in the Central Unitarian Church at 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus, NJ.
If you have not yet done so, please join our e-mail list (sign in in the top right hand column of this page).
The seats for Hurdy Gurdy concerts at the Fair Lawn Community Center will fill quickly! Get your tickets early. Stay tuned for the announcement of our full season schedule and our ticket on-sale date.
Have a Hurdy Gurdy memory to share? Please add a comment!
Everyone who was present will surely remember Saturday nights concert with Kevin Burke and Cal Scott as one of the finest evenings of music presented by the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club. The opportunity to witness to musicians of this caliber was seized upon by the audience, and many new faces were seen in the audience. Most of us knew that Kevin Burke is THE most influential Irish fiddler on the scene today, a title he has held since his work with the Bothy Band in the 1970’s. Those of us who were able to share in the music in the intimate setting of the Hurdy Gurdy also experienced the warmth and humor that he freely shared. Cal Scott, while not a household name, is also well regarded in music circles – producing soundtracks to numerous PBS documentaries and as a member of an Oregon folk group – The Trail Band. 