6:00pm-7:15 pm $FREE$. Lemont Village Green. 

Combining tradition with innovation, Simple Gifts creates some of the finest arrangements in folk music today: swing fiddle creeps into a Romanian dance, spoons show up in an Irish reel, and a blues lick introduces a Klezmer melody. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, this award-winning duo plays everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs and haunting Gypsy melodies, spicing the mix with the distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style.

“Few musicians can match the warmly personal stage presence Simple Gifts possesses. Their performances are noted for the infectious enthusiasm and sprinkling of good humor that come through.” —Jennifer O’Callaghan, Celtic Classic Festival, Bethlehem PA.

7:30 pm $18. Center for Well-Being, Lemont. 

Prior to Pete and Maura’s first meeting at a song swap in Austin, Pete was well established as an award-winning singer-songwriter in his hometown, Washington, D.C., and Maura was a top hand on the Austin scene. Over the course of a dozen duo CDs, they have graciously folded their talent and inspiration into the confluent sound and vision of the Kennedys duo. The Kennedys’ music has been described as uplifting, empowering and encouraging.

“…I wasn’t expecting them to be such fun, so effervescent and so enthusiastic. Their songs are as upbeat as they are in real life. They have a shared love for certain great artists from the 50s and the 60s and these artists inhabit their music, inspiring their work and encouraging their creativity.” – Spencer Leigh, Country Music People 2014

7:30 pm $18. Center for Well-Being, Lemont. 

Loretta Hagen is a New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, whose musical career spans two decades. Weaving folk, country, rock and blues, she writes songs with strong, catchy melodies and passionate poignant lyrics, and delivers them with her rich alto voice. Loretta will be joined by husband/guitarist Gary Hagen and djembe player Linda Lambiase.

“Loretta has spent some time in Nashville, and it shows in her polished songwriting and smooth vocals. Add some tasty guitar licks from her husband Gary, and you have the recipe for musical magic.” – Kevin Coughlin, Morristowngreen.com

7:30 pm $18. Center for Well-Being, Lemont. 

Modern-folk duo Friction Farm is a husband and wife team of traveling troubadours. Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay combine storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. From ballads to anthems each song is filled with harmony and hope.

“Aidan and Christine command any stage they’re on. Their appreciable force is gently delivered with keen lyrics and beautiful melodies, with a hint of humor to mitigate the seriousness of some of their material.” – David Engels, Emerald Concerts

7:30 pm $18. Center for Well-Being, Lemont. 

The string and vocal trio Low Lily explores the roots and branches of American folk music with traditional influences and modern inspiration that weaves together a unique brand of acoustic music. Liz Simmons (vocals and guitar) Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, and mandolin) and Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals and fiddle) are masterful players with deep relationships to traditional music styles ranging from bluegrass, to Irish, Scottish, New England, and Old Time Appalachian sounds. When you combine this with stellar composition skills and inventive arrangements you get music that is rooted yet contemporary.

“Exuberant yet sensitive… exceptional and refreshing” – No Depression

Low Lily will also offer a fiddle/strings tunes workshop for $20 from 1:30 to 3 PM, followed by a Family Concert (donation suggested) from 3:45 to 4:30, both at the Center for Well Being. Send an email to familyconcerts@acousticbrew.org to register.

7:30 pm $18. Center for Well-Being, Lemont. 

Simple Gifts and The Acoustic Brew welcome you to the release of Simple Gifts’ 7th and newest CD, Journeys: Music of Many Lands. Combining tradition with innovation, Simple Gifts creates some of the finest arrangements in folk music today: swing fiddle creeps into a Romanian dance, spoons show up in an Irish reel, and a blues lick introduces a Klezmer melody. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, this award-winning duo plays everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs and haunting Gypsy melodies, spicing the mix with the distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style.

“Few musicians can match the warmly personal stage presence Simple Gifts possesses. Their performances are noted for the infectious enthusiasm and sprinkling of good humor that come through.” —Jennifer O’Callaghan, Celtic Classic Festival, Bethlehem PA.

8:00 pm $25. The State Theatre Buy tickets through The State Theatre

Sponsored by The Acoustic Brew Concert Series and Poole Anderson Construction

Pricing: $25 (+$3.50 Ticketing Fee)
Member Sale: Monday, June 4th at noon EST
Public Sale: Friday, June 8th at noon EST
This is a Reserved Seating show. To purchase a ticket, click the button above.
NOTE: Red Molly tickets are not included in the Acoustic Brew’s season ticket package.

Red Molly first graced our stage in September 2006 opening for David Wilcox. We were so wowed we had them back for a full show the following Spring. We are excited to partner with the State Theatre to bring Red Molly back to State College again!

The Americana sweethearts who took a break in 2015 to work on their solo recordings are back for a limited number of shows in 2017-18. These very special shows feature picks from each of their 2017 solo projects, arranged in the signature Red Molly style as well as Red Molly favorites that span their 11-year career. A new lineup includes Eben Pariser (Roosevelt Dime) on electric guitar and drums and Craig Akin (Roosevelt Dime) on upright bass.

Known for their gorgeous harmonies, infectious songwriting, and captivating stage presence, Red Molly (Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Molly Venter) weaves together the threads of American music—from folk roots to bluegrass, from heartbreaking ballads to barn-burning honky tonk—as effortlessly as they blend their caramel voices into their signature crystalline, three-part harmonies. Their brilliantly wrought a capella tunes are love letters to the art of the vocal blend, and their innovative instrumentation is perfectly suited for foot stomping bluegrass-tinged barnburners and heart-full ballads alike. Red Molly is simply a joy to listen to.

“From Day One, Red Molly conjured musical magic. A decade later, they’ve honed their songwriting, their covers, their playing and, above all, their harmonies into something joyful and sublime.” – John Platt, WFUV FM, Sunday Breakfast