Folk Music at Greenwood Furnace 

Folk Music at Greenwood Furnace 

The Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering is coming up on September 8-10. This annual event involves a weekend of playing, singing, jamming, dancing, and listening to folk music. 

There will be activities for all skill levels, from non-musician to advanced players, and for all ages, including mature children. A total of 43 workshops in eight time slots will cover a wide range of musical styles and interests. In addition, there will be free concerts on Friday and Saturday nights. For dancers there is a free square dance after Friday’s concert and a contradance after Saturday’s concert.

There is a Beginners Sampler of 4 workshops designed for true beginners on Saturday.

 One of the unique features of the Folk Gathering is its small size and friendly atmosphere. Everyone is there to learn, share, and enjoy music. The teachers encourage participants to learn and share in a positive environment, and the small workshop size allows for easy interaction with the faculty and fellow students. 

An important goal of the event is to examine the traditional music of rural Pennsylvania and to preserve and perpetuate this musical heritage. In this spirit, several workshops focus specifically on Pennsylvania music. We also honor a Pennsylvania Heritage Musician every year. 

In addition to the music, the gathering provides participants with an opportunity to escape and relax in the mountains at historic Greenwood Furnace State Park, a beautiful spot located between State College and Huntingdon. The park features many outdoor recreational opportunities, including a lake with a swimming area, picnic tables, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and historical exhibits. 

For more information, visit folkgathering.com.