Petersham Friday Market

Fall Fridays at the Petersham Friday Market

The trees on the Petersham town common are showing signs of fall color. Winter squash, root vegetables, potatoes and pumpkins are joining tomatoes and leafy greens from our vendors. But there is still plenty of time to enjoy an afternoon of music and food fresh from local gardens and crafts at the Petersham Friday Market - Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. The market and the music continue into October.

Hillary Chase will be on our bandstand on Sept. 29. Hillary is a local singer/song-writer who performed in and around Western Massachusetts. She grew up in Orange, and is a 2014 graduate of Bennington College. Chase released her second album, "Find My Way," in 2016.

Chase mixes complex imagery with poetic lyrics and structures ranging from simple to intricate and sometimes unexpected. She writes songs of love and change, soul-searching and travel, usually with an autobiographical feel.

She has performed at Deja Brew in Wendell, The Abandoned Building Brewery in Easthampton, The Montague Bookmill and headlined at Tool Town live. The biggest shows of the year have included her senior thesis performance at Bennington College and The Vermont Arts Exchange and her CD release show debuted at the Deja Brew in Massachusetts and Donovan’s Pub in downtown Bennington. When living in Vermont, she performed at the South Street Cafe, Madison’s Brewing Company, and at The Tap House. Hillary has shared the stage with the likes of Jonathan Edwards, Tom Rush and Christine Ohlman of the Saturday Night Live band, to name a few.

The Friday Market delivers fresh-grown produce, honey and eggs from local vendors and promotes programs offered by Petersham Grange 95 and by local healthcare and social service agencies. The local Grange offers programs on bee-keeping, invasive species control and amending soils for maximum garden success throughout the year. The Grange also provides local agriculture scholarships to students.

The weekly market provides an accessible place from which those groups can deliver information to the public.

At the Petersham Friday Market, more than a dozen local farm families and crafters offer organic produce, fresh corn and other produce, locally raised meat, chicken, local eggs, local honey, baked goods, home-baked dog cookies, herbal remedies, handmade soaps and other craft items. The menu of choices changes with the seasons.

The Friday Market offers its program of free music each Friday thanks to major support from Heywood Healthcare, the Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Town Meeting voters, the Petersham Cultural Council, The Country Store, Waterwheel Realty, Buell Plowing, the Memorial Library, from Earthlands and from individual local donors.

The Friday Market is open at no charge to regular and occasional vendors and to information booths staffed by social service, health care agencies and others who want to share information about their programs and services.

The Friday Market is on the Petersham town common from 3 to 6 p.m. each Friday until mid October. For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com

The Hip Swayers Returned to the Petersham Friday Market Sept. 8

After the Rain Sept. 1

Evan Goodrow Made the Trek From Boston on August 25

Independent Boston singer songwriter Evan Goodrow brought songs from his new album to the bandstand Aug. 25.

Evan Goodrow is an American singer-songwriter-guitarist and has released 11 studio albums and 3 live albums of soul, funk, blues, rock, and R&B. A Boston native, Goodrow got his start playing jazz guitar and singing acoustic folk in coffee houses in the early 2000’s.

Consistently an Independent artist, he has a unique and diverse history that includes winning the Boston Blues Award, playing funk concerts for Marines on NATO bases in Europe and jamming with Jimmy Buffet in the Caribbean. He’s played multiple shows with B.B. King and has sung for the Yardbirds.

June marked the arrival of his 14th recording, “Burn” with a new crew of musicians and a new collection of songs.

Reggae on the Bandstand August 18

The Equalites were here to get you going and your toes tapping with a musical shot of Reggae and rock from the Caribbean and beyond.

The Equalites are a staple in the Pioneer Valley entertainment scene. The band has been performing in the region for more than 25 years.

In that time the band has had many different steady members, and the current incarnation has been together for going on five years with a sound that moves people to dance and more. With four-part harmonies and excellent songwriting, sizziling guitar work, deep percussion, and a deep pocket of bass n drums… this is truly ‘a great band with killer reggae groove’. The music is at once reggae, roots music, blue beat, has jazz sensibilities, and much more. Original compositions are performed in unforgettable fashion, and the covers they play of classic reggae and soul music have the Equalites unique stamp on them that make them sound like fresh goodness.

The band is lead by David Boatwright, on lead vocals and guitar. Dave was a founding member of Loose Caboose and has played guitar and vocals in many other groups, he has released original music with the Equalites and is a true one of a kind musician. Some of his songs include “she makes a riddim”. “make a difference”, and “one summer night”. His melodies resonate deep with his voice, as do his unparalleled guitar snarl.

Definite Maybes Were at the Friday Market August 11

The Definite Maybes brought their signature blend of rock, blues, and rhythm and blues to the Petersham Friday Market at 3 p.m. on August 11. 

Driven by singer Melanie Mangum and Charlie Mallet's guitar, the band's recent CD “Leaving The Station” showcases original 
songs that cross musical boundaries and styles. The band features Connie Putnam on bass and Doug MacLeod on drums. Both are 
journeymen musicians who play extensively in New England. The DM’s always give a high energy, rockin’ show of originals and 
classic covers, with heartfelt ballads thrown in the mix — a good time for all musical tastes.

Sunlea on the Bandstand August 4

Worcester Jam Band Sunlea was at the Friday Market August 4.. SUNLEA

Sunlea is a Worcester rock n roll band that brought original music, improvisation and classic rock cover songs to the Petersham Bandstand on Agust 4. Sunlea just released a new 4-song EP of original tunes titled "Unbuilding." The EP compliments Sunlea's full length album titled "Shades of Rhythm."

Sunlea started as a two-man duo comprised of Mike Dunlea and Mike "Sunny" Albrecht playing acoustic cover tunes at college bars. At the end of their senior year (2005) at Assumption College, they dubbed the duo "Sunlea." After a few years of playing music around Massachusetts Sunlea added a rhythm section consisting of more Assumption alumni, Brad Zepko on bass and James Fuccione on percussion. Brad Simmons (Uncle Billy's Smokehouse, White Chocolate, Gorilla Radio) joined the band as the drummer. Sunlea's original tunes have catchy rock n roll riffs and lyrics that will satisfy the need for edgy, psychedelic rock n roll.

The Friday Market is on the Petersham town common from 3 to 6 p.m. each Friday in season. For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com

Barrett Anderson Band July 28 - Blues Music to Write Home About

The market will be presenting information about the Asian Long-Horned Beetles that are chomping on ash trees by the thousands in central Massachusetts.

ear of corn The organizers, vendors and fans of the Petersham Friday Market want to thank Petersham Town Meeting voters for approving a donation in support of the market's 2017 music program. There will be 20 weeks of live music from the bandstand during market hours on Friday afternoons again this summer.

The weekly market has become a community event presenting fresh local food from area farm families, offering a regular opportunity to sit awhile and enjoy visiting with the neighbors and featuring live music in a wide range of styles. The town common is accessible and welcoming to all.

The Green Sisters contemporary folk and acoustic Music on July 21

green sisters

Josh Levangie and the Pistoleros Brought Outlaw Rock on July 14

The Friday Market was back on the Petersham Common at 3 p.m. July 14 with the signature sounds of Josh 
Levangie and the Pistoleros -- Pioneer Valley outlaw rockers who evoke Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and 
Merle Haggard songs.

The Definite Maybes on August 11

The Definite Maybes play a blend of rock, blues, and R&B. Driven by the sweet, soulful voice of Melanie Mangum and spirited guitar dynamics from Charlie Mallet, their recent CD “Leaving The Station” showcases original songs that cross musical boundaries and styles. The band features Connie Putnam on bass and Doug MacLeod on drums, both journeymen musicians who play extensively in New England. The DM’s always give a high energy show of originals and classic covers, with a few heartfelt ballads thrown in the mix.

Chuck and Mud Were at the Friday Market July 7 -- With Walter

The Friday Market returned to the Petersham Common July 7 with Worcester's iconic folk duo, Chuck and Mud and Walter Crockett on the Bandstand. Chuck & Mud have been playing folk music, Americana and original songs in the Worcester area for 38 years.

This year, each weekly musical performance will feature at least one Willie Nelson song, a tip of our hat and our
tribute to Willie Nelson for his years of work with Cambridge-based FarmAid.org
to support small farms and farmers nationwide.

“We started out to save the family farmer. Now it looks like the family farmer is going to save us.” — Willie Nelson

The Petersham Friday Market receives welcome support from Heywood Healthcare, The Wild Geese Foundation in Waltham, from voters at the 2017 Petersham Town Meeting, the Petersham Cultural Council, Petersham Grange 95, The Country Store, Waterwheel Realty, and from local donors like you. All proceeds go directly to pay the musicians who perform at our market.

The Petersham Friday Market opened for the seasons on June 9, 2016 with 17 vendors offering fresh local produce, local eggs, garden plants and flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted soaps and more. During the summer, we present music on the bandstand ranging from acoustic folk to Zydeco. Social service and health care organizations are welcome to join us as well.

Athol Hospital is scheduled to offer blood pressure screening. The Friday Market offers a free, 20-week program of music with major support from Heywood Healthcare, Petersham town meeting voters, The Petersham Cultural Council, the Memorial Library, the Country Store, the Petersham Grange, Waterwheel Realty, Buell Snow Plowing and from individual local donors.

The music schedule features a wide range of musical styles. In 2016, they ranged from the Barrett Anderson Band, the Reprobate Blues Band, The Hip Swayers, The Equalites, Zydeco Connection, Roger Salloom, The Green Sisters, LTC (bluegrass), Jubilee Gardens, Chuck and Mudd, The Waters Edge and more.

Market vendors vary each week and include Sweetwater Farm (organic produce), Golden Egg Farm (fresh local eggs and chickens) Patsy Buck Soaps, The Little Chicken Factory (mobile coops), Bob Hayward's Local Garlic, Pick and Shovel Farm (plants and produce), Kiwi Meadows Farm (produce), Walnut Kitchen Homestead (produce, meat and other items), Rick Wilkey from Orange (fresh Valley produce). Sunset Valley Farm, preserves and syrups from New Salem Orchards, plants and herbs from Hartman's Herb Farm, Tracey's Traditionals (herbal remedies) and more.

The Friday Market is on the Petersham common from 3 to 6 p.m. on Fridays and does not charge vendor fees. For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com
fill up the tin cup

It is easy to support Music at the Friday Market.

With your PayPal Account you can e-mail a contribution in any amount to:
fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com

Your donation will be confirmed by PayPal and will will come from Roy Nilson. You can also send a contribution to The Friday Market at P.O. Box 854 in Petersham.

All proceeds go directly to the musicians who play at the Friday Market each week.

NOTE: If you would prefer to make a tax deductible contribution, we can tell you how to do that - it's easy. Send us an E-mail. We will get right back to you.

Reprobates at the Petersham Friday Market Oct. 21, 2016

Petersham held its final farmers' market of 2016 on Oct. 21. Over summer, the market attracted up to 12 vendors each week offering fresh local produce, valley-grown produce of all types, preserves and
craft items and presented 20 weeks of free live music.

The Reprobate Blues Band opened our season in June last year and came back to close our season with their signature brand of blues from the bandstand.

The Reprobates

The Friday Market is on the Petersham town common from 3 to 6 p.m. on Fridays through Oct. 21. For information or to join our market, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail: fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com

Suzanne Cabot and Pamela Hines Jazz Duo took the stage at the Petersham Friday Market on Oct. 14.