Chantey sing Sun; GC sing Tue; Belmont sing Thu; NEFFA Fri-Sun; Providence sing Mon

[Jeff Keller]

The 82nd annual New England Folk Festival (https://www.neffa.org/festival-home/) is next weekend!  And yes, they're still looking for more volunteers.

There will be tons of open sings and such; here's a partial list of sessions to check out.

There will also be late-night after-sings!

Sun Apr 19, 2-5pm: Boston Area Chantey&Maritime Sing (outdoors)

Where: Somerville, MA
For location, email aprilcath...@gmail.com or call 617-291-6827.

Tue Apr 21, 7-9pm: Growing Center Outdoor Pub Sing

Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville, MA
If you don't have a Somerville parking permit, you can park on Highland Ave and walk down. Come sing in-person, outdoors, in a beautiful setting! We'll have a propane fire pit and marshmallows to toast. Other snacks are welcome.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, we ask that people attend only if vaccinated, boosted, and symptom-free. Anyone may lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated.

Thu Apr 23, 7-10pm: Belmont pub sing
Where: Odd Fellows Hall, 16 Maple St, Belmont, MA
BYO food & drink. Must be 21+ to partake of alcohol. Come sing with us! Trad folk music of (mainly) America, Canada, & The British Isles. Sea shanties, drinking songs, mining songs, farming songs, all sorts of songs! Good choruses and great harmony abound. Emphasis on group participation and an inclusive atmosphere. Hosted by Red Kovatch.

Fri-Sun, April 24-26 NEFFA

WhereBest Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA (map)

DescriptionThe New England Folk Festival (finally back in person, albeit with a strict COVID policy) features a wealth of opportunities for singing, dancing, and playing of many sorts, as well as numerous performances and workshops:https://www.neffa.org/festival-home/There will be tons of open sings and such; here's a partial list.There will also be late-night after-sings!VOLUNTEER FOR SIX HOURS AND GET IN FREE.  (We can still use more volunteers.)
Although most of the programming will be indoors, most of the open sings will be outdoors, in a large tent.  Morris and sword dancing will also be outdoors, weather permitting.

Mon Apr 27, 6:30pm - 9pm: Providence pub sing
Where: Flatbread Company, 161 Cushing St, Providence, RI
2nd and 4th Mondays. With Ben, Armand, & Flannery (the Vox Hunters), indoors.

[Jeff Keller]

CORRECTION: LynnN has pointed out that my description of NEFFA as having a strict COVID policy isn't accurate.  (Sorry, I copied some old text.)

Here's the current policy: https://www.neffa.org/2026/01/15/neffa-2026-covid-policy/

Briefly: Vaccination and masking are optional, although vaccination IS recommended.  If you feel unwell at all, have a positive COVID test result, or have had COVID very recently (with a positive test or symptoms beginning less than 10 days ago), please do not attend NEFFA.