Peterborough Folk Music Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Peterborough Folk Music, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the best of folk and Americana music to the Monadnock Region. "In today's world we are looking for compassion and something to make us happy. Music speaks to the heart, is soothing and something we can all relate to. It takes us away from any upheavals going on in life so we can enjoy the camaraderie of an audience, the talents of the performers and know we are supporting the musicians. It's their livelihood," wrote Deb McWethy, founder, president and program director of PFM, in a recent email to The Keene Sentinel. 30th Anniversary Tribute from Deb McWethy: "We are very fortunate to have a lot of audience and community support. Thank you for all the support over these 30 years. Peterborough Folk Music's annual fund drive is quite successful, so we are able to share the profits (after concert expenses) with the musicians. When you purchase tickets for a PFM concert, a lot of those ticket sales go right back to the musicians. Thirty years ago, the beloved and legendary Folkway sadly had to close its doors. Almost immediately, Peterborough Folk Music Society sprang into life, out of a powerful conviction that the music must play on, spearheaded by Deb McWethy, founder and president of what is now Peterborough Folk Music. The newly formed PFMS held its first concert just seven days after the closing of the Folkway, featuring Dar Williams and Peter Mulvey — two of the many top musicians who have graced our stages over the past three decades. The impact of Peterborough Folk Music on audiences, musicians and on the vibrant Monadnock Region is profound. PFM has helped launch and sustain the careers of countless extraordinary musicians. It has built and sustained a deeply loyal and grateful audience of listeners who come for the first time or the hundredth time and become part of the deep and ever-changing tradition. And then, there are Deb's House Concerts, which she started in 2002. Here, an up and coming young artist or a well-known, established musician will mingle with an audience of about 50 music lovers in the warmth of Deb's home. There is always a potluck, and an intimacy of artist and audience that brings both coming back year after year. Deb's House Concerts are a true labor of love, and all the proceeds go to the musicians. Peterborough Folk Music's upcoming season promises something for everyone. Kicking off on March 7 and wrapping up on Dec. 5 with 16 concerts scheduled. 2026 Lineup: Tom Rush with special guest Brendan Cleary March 7, 2026 Park Theatre, 19 Main St., Jaffrey Della Mae March 29, 2026 Park Theatre, 19 Main St., Jaffrey Tom Pirozzoli and Willy Porter April 11, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough Jeffrey Foucault April 18, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough Eileen Ivers May 1, 2026 Park Theatre, 19 Main St., Jaffrey John Gorka May 14, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough The Mammals May 15, 2026 Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough Suitcase Junket May 16, 2026 Children and The Arts Festival, Peterborough Deep River Ramblers May 30, 2026 Deb's House, Harrisville Joe Crookston June 13, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough David Francey Sept. 4, 2026 Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough Seth Glier & Antje Duvekot Sept. 18, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough Chris Smither with special guest Peter Mulvey Sept. 26, 2026 Park Theatre, 19 Main St., Jaffrey Richard Shindell Oct. 10, 2026 Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough Abbie Gardner Oct. 17, 2026 Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough Tracy Grammar and Jim Henry Dec. 5, 2026 Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, 19 Grove St., Peterborough Join the weekly email list by clicking on subscribe on their website and check often for new concerts. For more information: visit www.pfmsconcerts.org, call 603-318-9196 or email pfmsconcerts@gmail.com.