Arlington Advocate Article

Swing into summer at Park Ave. coffeehouse

By Merrith Sabo-Jones

Arlington Advocate

Wed May 24, 2006, 08:00 PM EDT

The Park Avenue Congregational Church’s PACC Concert Series wraps up its 2005-2006 season with the return of that local favorite, “einstein’s little homunculus” in a Swing into Summer Coffeehouse on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The coffeehouse will be in the Parish Hall at Park Avenue Congregational Church. Doors open at 7 p.m. Since this concert was postponed from an earlier date, if you had previously bought tickets, they will be honored.

Are you suffering from “spring fever” due to that interminable rain we had in May? Do you feel the need to tap your toes and enjoy some lively music? Are you thirsty for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer?

Then come on by for a little nosh, a “cuppa” joe or tea, then sit back and relax, and enjoy the irrepressible craziness of this talented group and kick off the summer early. The group elh, as they’re known, is famous for its wide repertoire of instruments and percussion (washboards and cow bones have been seen on the stage) as much as for their witty and offbeat songs.

The group has performed primarily around New England and New York (Club Passim, Night Lights Coffeehouse in Norwalk, Conn., Eighth Step in Albany, N.Y., the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale N.Y.). The group has been a winner of the Acoustic Underground competition with five CDs to its credit. More information about the group can be found at: www.elh.org. Audience sing-alongs are encouraged, so bring along the kids for an evening of entertainment and song on an early summer night.

They will be performing old favorites, as well as some newer material from their latest CD “Double Redundancy” and joining them as their special guest will be Eric “There’s No Power Like” Mumpower. Celtic influences are strong – especially from Tich Cownie, the dancing fiddler, and a single song may feature a multiplicity of wind instruments (pennywhistle, saxophone, flute, recorder) played by Sue Gedutis and Carol Laliberte DeLorenzo.

Original compositions written by vocalist Paul Crook can best described as “grown-up” children’s songs – delightfully nonsensical and whimsical. Rob Rudin percussion artistry on bodhrn, bones, washboard, cocktail drums, to name a few, drives the energy of the music.

The church is located at 50 Paul Revere Road at the intersection of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road, one block from Mass. Ave., in Arlington Heights. The church is handicapped accessible and on an MBTA bus route #77.

Refreshments (coffee/tea and baked goods) will be on sale before and during the coffeehouse. All proceeds from the coffeehouse will go toward the benefit of the PACC Music Program and Organ Restoration Fund.

Ticket prices in advance: adults – $12, seniors/students – $8; at the door: adults – $15, seniors/students – $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the church office at 781-643-8680.