Folk Music is Alive and Well in Oakwood!

It's all about lattes, folk singing and lots of guitars. Every month The Dayton Folk Music Sing-Along Meetup group gathers in front of a big picture window at Starbucks in Oakwood Ohio and has a little hootenanny. All are welcome to join in, but you can reserve your spot around the make believe campfire when you join the group on www.meetup.com .

The old standards, Freight Train, Puff The Magic Dragon and The Green Green Grass of Home are a few of the songs sung at most every gathering, but it's informal and shout out requests are honored as well as the songs the guitarists have worked on and are teaching the others. Can't sing? No problem. It's all about fun and there are amateurs as well as semi professionals here. The chatter in between songs and laughter are all part of the evening. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to join the circle, but just being nearby and humming along with the music gives you a lift. It's hard though not to join in when the toe tapping tunes are filling the room. Just ask Joanne Selleck! She was here visiting from Hudson Florida and she came in expecting just to listen, but happily ending the evening harmonizing with the best of them!

Cynthia, the hostess and meetup organizer has books to lend and passes around song sheets. She does recommend regular participants purchase the Rise Up Singing - Vocal Songbook. This book features words and guitar chords to 1200 songs and is actually designed for group singing. It's illustrated by Pete Seeger. It can be purchased online at www.amazon.com . Come in and sing at 2418 Far Hills in Oakwood usually every fourth Thursday of the month. However, next month everyone will be meeting on Dec 17 at 5:30 for several hours of "Christmas coffee and Merry Folk Songs!" It promises to be a fun and festive holiday evening. Starbucks has several new holiday flavors and pastries to keep the party atmosphere flowing. Check out www.meetup.com and register for free. Then look for The Dayton Folk Music Sing-Along to join the group officially. The group currently has 66 members with about 20 regulars attending every month. © 2009 Jeanne Baney