Even the Bluegrass was Green on St. Paddy’s Night! That’s what the promo promised and that’s just what Folk Club delivered. A night of great music -- a little less Irish than some listeners might have expected, but then Erin’s is just a block away from the Ship, and pretty much every pub in town had something Irish to offer.

Our night of Greengrass featuring Kentucky Tundra, Andrea Munro and Crooked Stovepipe was a fund-raiser for Artscan Circle, the volunteer-run organization started by Bluegrass harmonica wiz Mike Stevens to help Native youths at risk in Canada. Anyone who had the pleasure of hearing Mike Stevens perform at last year’s Festival knows that he is an astonishing musician; anyone who has had the opportunity to hear him speak of his experiences in Labrador knows, too, that he is a person who holds deeply the belief that art and individuals can effect change. Through Artscan Circle, Stevens has visited communities to meet with youth at risk, bringing with him instruments and musicians, artists and writers, in the hope that giving Native youth access to the arts and helping them uncover the joy of making music might be a positive response to social crises(SING OR PLURAL?). Their website, www.artscancircle.ca has lots of information about past and future projects, and ways that individuals can help out the organization.

The SJFAC readily agreed to Caroline Clarke’s suggestion for this fundraiser, as it is eager to support the work of Artscan Circle. Musicians kindly donated their services, and all the cover from the door that night was set aside for the organization; almost $400 was donated to Artscan Circle We hope, in the future, to hold other fundraisers for them and to find more ways to collaborate with them.

- Marnie Parsons