Unsung Heroes and Untold Stories: Another Side of the Village Folk Scene

The Village Trip presents: Unsung Heroes and Untold Stories: Another Side of the Village Folk Scene w/ Fabio Fantuzzi Live at Cafe Wha? | Friday, Sept 26th | 5PM Doors, 6PM Show

Long before Dylan electrified Newport and folk-rock became a mainstream cultural movement, Greenwich Village was already humming with voices, stories, and songs that rarely made the headlines—but shaped a generation. Cafés and clubs echoed with the music of Fred Neil, Karen Dalton, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Pat Sky, Tim Hardin, Bonnie Dobson, Richie Havens, Dave Van Ronk, Richard Tucker, and many others who helped define the soul of a movement.

This very special evening pays tribute to the lesser-known stories that fueled the Greenwich Village folk revival—casting fresh light on the songs, friendships, and creative collaborations, both iconic and overlooked, that made the scene thrive.

Curated by Rolling Stone senior journalist David Browne, author of Talkin' Greenwich Village, and Fabio Fantuzzi, co-editor of Bob Dylan and the Arts, the event features singer-songwriter Terre Roche, a pillar of the Village folk scene; New York Blues Hall of Famer and MacDougal Street fixture Erik Frandsen; and Village veteran Bert Lee, who will be joined by guest singer Mia Vongsavang, carrying forward the vibrant legacy of the historic Music Inn.Guests:

Terre Roche is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of the legendary vocal trio The Roches and the genre-blending band Afro-Jersey. Over her 50-year career, she has performed across the U.S. and Europe, collaborating with artists such as Paul Simon, Philip Glass, Linda Ronstadt, and Meredith Monk, while continuing to shape and expand the legacy of the Village folk tradition.

Erik Frandsen is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and storyteller who has been a fixture of the Greenwich Village folk scene for over five decades. He has performed with artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Harry Belafonte and The Muppets, and has appeared in numerous stage and screen productions, including Law & Order, The Blacklist, and John Wick 2. A Drama Desk Award winner and Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Frandsen embodies the eclectic spirit of the Village.

Bert Lee has established himself as an enduring voice in the New York songwriting scene. He has performed as a stand-up soloist and as a vital member of bands such as Richard, Cam and Bert, and Central Park Sheiks. His elaborate guitar style and honest, expressive voice have made him a favorite among aficionados of the Greenwich Village folk scene. As Andrea Clearfield writes: “Bert has a unique gift of writing songs that embody the poignancy and beauty of our human experience.”

Mia Vongsavang is a rising voice in New York’s folk revival and a driving force at the Music Inn, known for her strong vocals and collaborations with key figures from the contemporary Village scene.

David Browne is a Senior Writer at Rolling Stone, known for his in-depth features, reviews, and profiles on American music. He is the author of seven books, including biographies of Sonic Youth, Jeff Buckley, the Grateful Dead, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup. His most recent book, Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital, chronicles the vibrant folk scene that shaped generations of artists and left an enduring cultural legacy.

Fabio Fantuzzi is a scholar, songwriter, curator, and author of several books, including Bob Dylan and the Arts and Norman Raeben (1901–1978): The Wandering Painting. His books and albums are infused with folk and blues influences, weaving together stories and artistic collaborations rooted in the Village scene, including work with Bert Lee, Chris Lowe, Christine Lavin, Erik Frandsen, Davide Baldo, among many others.

Please note: two item minimum per person, all sales final

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