January 6, 2022

From the Solstice to Twelfth Night

with John Roberts

7–8:30pm ET

online via Zoom

$10 is suggested but any amount is appreciated.

Donations support these events, leaders, musicians, and the Folk Arts Center.

Buy access to the Singalong video in the SOFA section of the FAC Music Shop. Download lyrics for the program.

About the Program

Throughout history, regardless of religious beliefs or geography, people have come together to celebrate the time of year between late November and early January. Whether it be lighting candles on the shortest day, or singing carols, playing with dreidels or attending a holiday production, people gather to chase the dark and cold away with friendship, revelry, food, and song. This SOFA presentation will touch on many of these midwinter elements through the voice of John Roberts.

Together we will celebrate Twelfth Night with an evening of music, storytelling, and reminiscing. Accompanying himself on banjo and concertina, John will lead us in a variety of songs, talk about the English Twelfth Night customs, and undoubtedly regale us with stories of his life as a folksinger. John is a human treasure trove of information, and the evening will fly by.

About John

John is a musician and singer of folksongs from the British Isles. Born to a Welsh family and raised in Worcestershire, England, he currently lives in Schenectady, NY. John came to the USA to attend graduate school at Cornell. He's well-known both as part of the group Nowell Sing We Clear, and through his five decades of musical partnership with Tony Barrand, whom he met at Cornell. More recently he can be found performing with his partner Lisa Preston or on tour with singer Debra Cowan.

More information for John can be found on his website