Club Keeps Folk Music Tradition Alive in New City

The sounds coming from the New City Volunteer Ambulance Corps on an average Sunday afternoon are usually those of sirens and roaring engines as ambulances head out for emergency calls.

The past Sunday, the headquarters of the emergency medical unit on Congers Road became a concert hall, providing a friendly setting for energetic folk music.

The ambulance corps loaned its meeting room to the Borderline Folk Music Club, a Rockland-based group that has a loyal following for its small concerts – some of which even take place at local homes in Rockland.

Borderline welcomed spring by hosting the up-and-coming folk trio Gathering Time, which was greeted by about 35 fans who came out for the New City performance.

Gathering Time united the crowd with its pleasant harmonies and age-long melodies.

"Rockland County is alive," exclaimed an enthusiastic Marion Schwartz, board member of the Borderline Folk Music Club.

"We really enjoyed it, it was a warm and appreciative audience," said Stuart Markus, guitarist and vocalist for Gathering Time, about the visit to Borderline.  

The talented trio, Markus, Glen Roethel and Hillary Foxsong, have traveled as far as South Carolina and Pittsburgh on their mission, as he explained, "to bring back the folk-music genre and bring back harmony."

The group's determination and love for the art landed their songs on XM radio stations - a victory over the radio "wasteland," according to Markus.

Foxsong added that, "Folk music used to be something you participated in. To me, participation is at the heart of the genre... music shouldn't be a spectator sport like the pop genres today, but a full-contact sport." 

Gathering Time's success on its journey to bring life back to music was crystal clear as appreciative smiles filled the room while they performed. 

For six years, Borderline Folk Music Club has brought and array of musicians to Rockland County.

Sol Zeller, president of this unique non-for-profit and completely volunteer club, started the framework for the organization nearly 40 years ago to bring the "art of acoustic and folk music" to Rockland.

But with time, the club faded away from the county's cultural scene. Only in 2004 did Zeller resurrect the club as a present for his wife on their anniversary. The board members have been organizing concerts with talented performers for the county to enjoy at minimal admission prices ever since. 

Longtime board member and folk music enthusiast Akiva Kent expressed what the club seeks to accomplish through the folk genre. "It is more than just music," he said. "Among its multitude of purposes, it brings a conscious for social issues as well as environmental concerns."

The Borderline Folk Music Club and events such as the Gathering Time performance keep the sense of community and culture alive in Rockland County. The concerts are strictly family-stlye events. The price of admission of members is $15, and $20 for non-members - but you also must bring a dessert that can be shared with at least four people.

The next event arranged by the club is a special Irish program to be performed by singer Siusan O'Rourke and accompanied by Zig Zeitler. The concert is planned is  for June 6, at 2 p.m. at the home of Steve Shapiro, 7 Trailside Court, New City. For more information about the show and the club check out borderlinefolkmusic.4themax.com