The Nanaimo Folk Connection Coffee House (NFC) is a live music event that focuses on traditional folk music and includes an open stage to feature local acoustic performers.

We start with an open stage segment that usually has room for six or seven short sets. These 10 minute sets might be a singer/songwriter trying out some new material, a new performer doing their very first performance, or a talented semi-professional doing an open stage set as a audition for the feature segment. We never know quite what we will hear on the open stage but its always interesting, and sometimes its transcendent.

In the second segment of our show, we feature a local or international performer (yes, this slot is a paying gig, one of the few for musicians around here).

This month (June 15) our feature performer is Hank Cramer, a traveling folksinger who lives in Washington state. He is best known for his booming bass voice, accompanied by vintage flat-top guitar and a wry sense of humour. His repertoire is a mix of original, traditional, and contemporary folk songs. Most of his songs tell the stories of cowboys, sailors, soldiers, miners, adventurers, and just plain drifters. That fits with Hank's life story: he has been an underground miner, a professional soldier, shanty-man on a square-rigged sailing ship, wrangler for a high-country outfitter, and a world traveler. Those experiences make Hank's music ring with a special authenticity.

Nanaimo Folk Connection Gatherings are held on the third Friday of each month, at 7:30pm in the German Cultural Hall at 71 Caledonia Ave., Nanaimo. Admission $5. Refreshments available. Wheelchair accessible. For more info phone 754-1321 or 753-1187.

Check out our website for more information at:

http://www.nanaimofolkconnection.com

The Nanaimo Folk Connection is a non-profit, volunteer organisation for the promotion of folk and acoustic music in the Mid Vancouver Island region.