P.O. Box 92398
Rochester, NY 14692
www.goldenlink.org
Media contact (not for publication): Dave Townsend, (585) 467-8690
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2025
Golden Link presents fiddle and banjo tunes, step dancing, and more with Newberry & Verch
Rochester, NY – Joe Newberry and April Verch showcase tunes, ballads, step dancing, and original songs by way of the Ozarks and Canada’s Ottawa Valley, respectively. With beautiful harmony singing, breathtaking instrumentals, and exquisite dancing, these two singular musicians hit the stage in perfect rhythm, making audiences remember why this music existed in the first place. Newberry & Verch bring their music to Rochester for a Golden Link concert on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 7:30 pm at Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626.
Missouri native and North Carolina transplant Joe Newberry has played music most of his life. His powerful and innovative banjo playing – as well as his songwriting, guitar skills, fiddling, and singing – has delighted audiences around the world. A frequent guest on the radio show “A Prairie Home Companion,” Newberry was featured on the Transatlantic Sessions tour in the United Kingdom with fiddler Aly Bain and dobro master Jerry Douglas.
Fiddler, singer, and stepdancer April Verch knows how relevant an old tune can be. She grew up surrounded by living, breathing roots music and decided early on that she wanted to be a professional musician. With countless awards, 10 albums, and 16 years of touring under her belt with The April Verch Band, Verch is a 2020 JUNO Award Nominee. Verch has moved from upstart prodigy to mature and reflective songwriter, interpreter, and storyteller. She engages contemporary listeners with her fresh and feisty approach to traditional music.
“...a simply gorgeous and intimate expression of musical multiculturalism … while they never lose sight of their own unique traditions, their work together also serves to craft an entirely new musical aesthetic.” – Barry Poss, founder of Sugar Hill Records
Online ticket sales end at midnight on March 20.
General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door)
Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door)
Students: $10
Children under 12: $5
See below for a calendar listing of this and other upcoming concerts.
Phone or email interviews with the performer(s) can be arranged.
Photos of the performers are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_wnU3-4eJhUJ3pkjFscIKC4JpKX2ykUN?usp=sharing
Founded in 1971, the Golden Link Folk Singing Society is dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving folk music in the Rochester area. Golden Link is a volunteer-operated and member-supported 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts, cultural, and educational organization.
CALENDAR LISTINGS
Newberry & Verch
Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Joe Newberry and April Verch showcase tunes, ballads, step dancing, and original songs by way of the Ozarks and Canada’s Ottawa Valley, respectively. With beautiful harmony singing, breathtaking instrumentals, and exquisite dancing, these two singular musicians hit the stage in perfect rhythm, making audiences remember why this music existed in the first place.
Verch (fiddle, vocals, step dance) is best known for two decades of international touring with The April Verch Band and a 2020 JUNO Award Nominee. Newberry (guitar, banjo, vocals) is an award-winning songwriter known for his work with mandolin icon Mike Compton, as well as The Transatlantic Sessions and A Prairie Home Companion.
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children under 12: $5. For more information, visit www.goldenlink.org.
Brooks Williams
Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Georgia-born and Cambridge, England-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter Brooks Williams is a leading light on the acoustic roots music scene, with more than 33 recordings and appearances at countless venues and festivals for more than three decades. From Celtic Connections to Cropredy, Glastonbury to Philadelphia, Kerrville to Winnipeg, there are very few stages Brooks Williams hasn’t played.
Brooks Williams’ guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues, and country. It comes as no surprise he is listed in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists. He wraps that guitar playing around songs with rich narratives about gold prospectors, guitar players, motorcycle riders, golden palominos, and ne’er-do-wells, and sings them with a voice you melt into. His songs are rooted in tradition, wryly observed, and relevant.
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children under 12: $5. For more information, visit www.goldenlink.org.
Kaleidoscope
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Kaleidoscope is four fearless vocalists – Pat Wictor (of Brother Sun), Deborah Latz, Jeannette Miller, Jesse Goldman – who improvise pieces that surprise and delight.
The four met in the Circle Singing community of vocal improvisers started by Bobby McFerrin and members of his Voicestra. Assuming roles normally played by instruments, from vocal percussion to bass or horn lines to soloing, they create music that is by turns soulful, whimsical, lyrical, playful, and funny. From moment to moment, you never know what will happen, and neither do they! There could be interactive moments where you get to influence – or participate in – the music making. Be prepared for a myriad of colorful soundscapes and high-flying musical fun!
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children under 12: $5. For more information, visit www.goldenlink.org.