Twilight Music in the Park w/ Hudson Valley Folk Guild

Every Thursday from May 29 through August 28, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation welcome talented musicians from the Hudson Valley Folk Guild and beyond to bring Walkway Over the Hudson’s Ulster Welcome Center Plaza to life with free live music from 6-7 p.m.

These concerts are open to everyone and suitable for all ages.  Bring chairs and blankets!

In the event of inclement weather, cancellation information will be posted atop walkway.org and on Facebook.

2025 Twilight Music In The Parks Thursday Schedule
*Artists subject to change*

5/29/25 – Storm King Skyline – Start with deep roots in traditional folk music, add musical versatility, mix in both historical and contemporary themes, all seasoned with a healthy dose of good-natured humor, then enjoy a performance by Storm King Skyline.

A newly formed musical group, Storm King Skyline has developed a unique sound that combines breathtaking vocals, instrumental dexterity, and a synergy that comes only from an intimate knowledge of each other’s talents.  That sound starts with Kevin’s intricate finger picked guitar, augmented by his impeccable harmonica playing.  Carol’s soaring vocals – clear, bright, and pure, stand out when singing solo and form compelling harmonies with Kevin and Ken’s baritone voices.  Ken adds the skillful touch of a virtuoso on guitar and the sound is all anchored by Rich’s solid rhythms on upright bass and his driving bluegrass-influenced banjo.  They feature Linda on tambourine and light percussion.  Carol adds other instruments as well, notably mountain dulcimer, recorder, bodhran, and Appalachian limber horse.  Their repertoire ranges from historical ballads to songs of social significance and from traditional folk songs to the original songs of the band members.  Storm King Skyline has an easy manner and relaxed stage presence which encourages audience participation and contributes to their entertaining performances.

6/05/25 – Phil Miller  – Phil Miller, singer/songwriter likes the phrase “Song Smith,” forging catchy, toe-tapping melodies paired with vivid imagery.   His style is a healthy blend of contemporary acoustic, folk, country, a hint of jazz, a dash of the blues and a simmered slowly with the influence from pop and rock of the 70’s and 80’s.  Like a travel agent for the ears and soul, his songs try to bring you into familiar places or safely travel to destinations of the heart.

6/12/25 – Piedmont Bluz Acoustic Duo – “The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo, comprised of Valerie and Benedict Turner, are ambassadors of Country Blues music and the Piedmont style of fingerpicking. Their mission is to help bring awareness to this unique aspect of African-American culture, and to the contributions of early blues artists, through performing and teaching.

They have been entertaining audiences both domestically and abroad and are much loved wherever they go. As 2018 inductees into the New York Blues Hall of Fame, this husband-and-wife duo feel that “there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said” so, in addition to tickling your ears with delightful music, they weave a bit of history into the presentation of each song.

A Piedmont Blūz concert isn’t just music – it’s an experience as they transport you back to the 1920s and 1930s, the hey-day of acoustic Country Blues music.

6/19/25 – Jim Pospisil – Jim Pospisil is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Hudson Valley whose songs are marked by well crafted, sometimes quirky lyrics and themes from the personal to the profound. A mix of folk, blues, rock and more, his performances on guitar, mandolin, flute and harmonica  can be soft and subtle, or wild and energetic. He blends it all with a wry sense of humor, his goal is to make you laugh, cry, or think. Sometimes all at once. He performs cover songs as well, featuring fresh and creative arrangements.  Jim has just released his fourth album “Sleight Of Hand”, his most varied and ambitious release to date. The songs examine the trials of love, life and loss, and the challenge to rise above it all.

6/26/25 – Lark – Lark formed among friends at an annual backyard party, coalescing around singer-guitarist Charles Wellcome whose angelic tenor is as comfortable expressing joy or sorrow, softness or grit, sweetness or sarcasm.  Percussionist David Budd’s background and musical influences are diverse and extensive. At home playing jazz, rock, folk, and blues, David’s sensitivity to the music keeps him busy with a variety of local bands.  Terri Massardo has elevated several groups throughout the Hudson Valley. Starting with Yankee Rose, Terri has brought her rich, soulful vocals to The Cover Girls, The Broad Band, and Trio Mio.

Bob Bottjer has never met a musical genre that he can’t play, and his virtuosity on guitar and steel have got him in high demand around the region. His tasteful, unobtrusive licks make everything sound better.

Bassist Steve Massardo is solid and steady and his harmonies round out the Lark sound. The band plays a variety of familiar, mostly-acoustic music in three-part harmony.

7/03/25 – Elly Wininger  (Inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame in 2014. Elly is a 2023 International Blues Challenge Semifinalist.  A veteran of the Greenwich Village folk scene, she played the opening night at CBGB.  Elly’s deep involvement with the country blues as well as her award-winning original songs have earned her a reputation for highly entertaining performances.  Her most recent album, “The Blues Never End,” (Earwig Music 2021) spent 12 weeks as the #1 Acoustic Blues Album on the Roots Music Report.  Elly is also a producer, educator, and host of the popular radio show Catskill Cabaradio.   Her public radio series “Rockin’  the Boat” exploring the role of music in political and social change was honored with an award from the United Nations Department of Information.

7/10/25 – MartinTullyKein – Deb Martin, Lauren Tully and Sharon Klein, joined their voices and guitars close to five years ago to create MartinTullyKlein. The trio blends intricate harmonies with a smooth and natural balance that “clicks”. Their diverse repertoire includes an eclectic mélange crossing many genres, both old and new, and draws from their folk and Americana roots.  They perform topical originals, familiar traditionals, and covers which range from poignant and passionate to light-hearted and silly.  The synergy of their rich harmonies and tight delivery will draw you in! 

7/17/25 – Bob Stanhope   – Bob Stanhope is a singer, songwriter, and sometimes humorist who has performed for over five decades in clubs, churches, and coffeehouses throughout the northeast.  He is a thirteen-time winner of the Billboard Magazine Songwriter Contest, has been a frequent guest on national media.  He was also the morning personality on a variety of suburban radio stations during the 1990s.  Bob continues to entertain audiences from around the Hudson Valley with his song writing and outstanding voice.

7/24/25 – Cheryl and Kurt ­- Kurt Henry and Cheryl Lambert have been married for 36 years and performing together for almost as long. Cheryl brings wonderful harmonies, melodic harmonica, tight percussion and on occasion is the sound-tech. Kurt entered the folk arena somewhere around 1967, opening for acts including Loudon Wainwright lll at the Village Gaslight. After moving to the Hudson Valley, he led and wrote for a few bands opening for acts like Procol Harum, The Byrds, Asleep at the wheel, John Sebastian, etc. Both Kurt and Cheryl have had teaching careers they enjoyed almost as much as playing music. Kurt and Cheryl are part of Kurt Henry & DOG KNOWS, and Kurt is the lead guitarist of The Dharma Bums.

7/31/25 – Betty and the Baby Boomers – The Hudson Valley acoustic group Betty and the Baby Boomers (Betty Boomer, Jean Valla McAvoy, Paul Rubeo, Robert Bard, and Steve Stanne) have been recognized regionally – they “sing and play old-school folk like it was brand spanking new” (Kingston’s Daily Freeman); nationally – “a refreshing reminder of the halcyon days of American folk music” (Sing Out!); and internationally, with many bookings over the years for Clifden Arts Week, a well-known festival in Ireland. As Clearwater staff and board members, the Boomers worked with Pete Seeger, who regularly performed one of McAvoy’s original songs, “Down by the River,” included on his Grammy-winning album Tomorrow’s Children with the Rivertown Kids. They wrap distinctive harmonies around songs from Seeger, Phil Ochs, and others who inspired their generation, plus contemporary and original material in that tradition.

8/07/25 – Maggie Rothwell – Singer/songwriter/guitarist Maggie Rothwell grew up in Pleasantville and Maggie lives in Red Hook, NY.  Her career includes teaching music in public school and performing music therapy in recreation departments of local nursing homes. She also enjoys running a nationwide online open mic and songwriting group for Senior Planet from AARP. With a repertoire of over 1,000 cover songs and numerous originals, Maggie has eclectic taste in music and enjoys performing a wide variety of styles.

8/14/25 – Grampa Joe’s Washboard Band – New Orleans style jazz, blues, string band, jug band, washboard band music  with Joe Cardella on vocals and washboard, Vince Sauter on vocals and stand-up fretless bass, and Wayne Chadwell on vocals and 6-string high-strung banjo.  New Orleans style jazz, blues, string band, jug band, washboard band music.  

8/21/25 – Andy Shapiro – Andy Shapiro has performed in a variety of bands since 1968 including blues, soul, country, rock, and original music.   He now focuses on writing songs and performing as a singer songwriter in the Hudson Valley and has released his first cd: “Find My Way Home” which received Honorable Mention in the 14th Annual emPower Posi Music Awards. He is now working on his second cd with songs of struggle and hope.

8/28/25 – HVFG Song Circle