Riverfolk fund-raiser a swinging success

A cool and breezy late-summer evening surrounded by apple trees and a country summer sunset was the perfect setting for Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization’s first major fund-raiser last Saturday night.

Hosted in the orchard at Alber’s Cider Mill in Freedom Township, the event featured both classic and modern string performances by Cultural Art Strings, Westbound Situation, and Steamboat, followed by headliners Joe Hall and the Cane Cutters; who brought authentic Louisiana Cajun music and two-steppin’ dancing to the party.

An appreciative crowd that approached 100 or so throughout the evening enjoyed the music as well as other amenities. Food catered by Fresh Forage in Dexter and drinks provided by The Moveable Feast in Manchester created a great atmosphere for listening, visiting, shopping at the merchandise table and silent auction, and strolling through the trees.

The preliminary results of the evening were encouraging, with more than $2,400 raised. That is nearly one-quarter of Riverfolk’s goal for this year’s fund-raising of $10,000, which will support its varied programming–including artist fees for Blacksmith Shop and Gazebo concerts, guest musicians for Dance Manchester, and scholarships for Cultural Art Strings students. In addition, a new visual art enrichment program is planned, which will also be under the Riverfolk umbrella.

“If anyone was unable to attend, we encourage them to attend a future event at our upcoming Blacksmith Shop concerts or to donate online at riverfolkmusicandarts.org,” said Riverfolk board member Aileen Rohwer, who is also the Director of the Cultural Art Strings program.

The first Blacksmith Shop concert of the fall season will be at 7:30 pm on Sept. 28, and will feature the Smoking Dandies, bringing “hot and sweet interpretations” of jazz/swing stylings from the 1920s-40s. The group features the music of Django Reinhardt, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, and more. Tickets are just $18 per person, available on Eventbrite, and include samplings of local food and drink.

Sponsors of the event included Alber’s Orchard and Cider Mill, LLC, Fresh Forage, The Movable Feast, Manchester Blooms, the Cecconie family, Margaret Shaw, Nancy Feldkamp, David Nelson, Bob Miller, Two Black Sheep, Therese Bossory, Ed Zyniewicz, Jim Horton, Jill Noble & Jeff White, Debbie Ridley, Nicola’s Books, Shari Kane, Shar Music, Parker Rohwer, Jean Buescher-Bartlett, Anne LaCross, Laura & Jason Wohlgemuth, Fruge Records, LLC, the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, and Dan Flick.

Thank you to all who participated in any way, especially our silent auction donors! Riverfolk truly appreciates all the local support for its ongoing programming.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.