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KAC Coffeehouse

The KAC Coffeehouse, a program of the Kirkland Art Center in Clinton, NY, grew out of a response to an Irish music concert held in February, 1981. The audience turnout was so strong, it was clear that Central New York had a hunger for folk music.

Over the past 16 years, the KAC Coffeehouse program has grown to become a nationally-recognized music series featuring some of the top names in folk and bluegrass music.

Performances are usually held in the gallery space of the KAC, amidst the current exhibits. The concerts, when space permits, are cabaret-style with candlelit tables, fresh flowers, and refreshments.

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1999 Winter Schedule
Date Description
26-March-1999 Pam Gadd & Long Road plus Savory & House
Two Kentucky women split the bill for one great evening. Singer-banjoist Gadd, formerly with the acclaimed Wild Rose Band and New Coon Creek Girls blends old-timey bluegrass and '90s-girl sass. Tonya Savory pays a return visit to KAC with two acclaimed, award-winning recordings under her belt.
12-March-1999 Beppe Gambetta w/ Carlo Aonzo
A unique duo, featuring internationally-acclaimed acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta and Carlo Aonzo, mandolinist for La Scala Orchestra in Milan, Italy.
12-February-1999 The Burns Sisters
Brimming with energy, fun, captivating voices and great sister harmonies, the Burns Sisters have been stunning audiences since childhood, weaving their infectious vocal blend of Rock, Pop, Gospel, a capella, R&B, and Country and Folk styles.
22-January-1999 The Dady Brothers
Veteran performers from Rochester, John and Joe Dady present wide ranging authentic folk roots music including bluegrass, folk, Irish, and country blues.
Special guest: Steve Chute.
08-January-1999 Lambert & Yeomans
Ted Lambert (Creek Bend) and Doug Yeomans (formerly Creek Bend) keep alive the tradition of bluegrass duet acts from the 40's and 50's, bringing to mind the tight harmonies of the Louvin Brothers.
1998 Fall Schedule
Date Description
04-December-1998 Moxy Fruvous
Toronto's hottest band is coming back! This quartet of immensely likeable chaps is known for perfect four-part harmonies, quirky but intelligent songs, and a most energetic stage performance.
27-November-1998 Salamander Crossing
New England's liveliest new young bluegrass band returns for the holiday weekend.
06-November-1998 Wood's Tea Company
An acoustic power trio, known for dry humor, spirited folk songs, and fiery Celtic instrumentals.
23-October-1998 Kate McDonnell & Kevin So
Two up-and-coming singer/songwriters will each perform a set, illustrating why acoustic music fans are buzzing about their talents.
09-October-1998 Dry Branch Fire Squad
Bluegrass, old time, and Southern gospel music -- the very best of traditional music plus Ron Thomason's humorous commentary.
02-October-1998 Erica Wheeler
Well-crafted songs sung by one of New England's finest songwriters. Her latest album, The Harvest received accolades by the acoustic music world.
18-September-1998 Northern Lights
A risk-taking bluegrass, newgrass band returns with a sound the originates in the Kentucky hills.
1998 Spring Schedule
Date Description
22-May-1998 Tony Trischka Band
Master of the banjo, Tony returns once again to the KAC Coffeehouse in his latest configuration, which he calls, "Electrocrunch, jazz, rock."
01-May-1998 Chulrua
Paddy O'Brien (button accordean), Pat Egan (singing and guitar), and American-born Tim Britton (flute, uillean plumbing, tin weasel) combine to form the band. Presenting a lively evening of traditional Celtic music that will, "Tich the Irish in yer soul."
24-April-1998 Wrigley Sisters
Check their web page
17-April-1998 Rosalie Sorrels A master storyteller through songs, reflecting the adventurous life of a strong, gutsy woman in her 60's who is hip, youthful, and for whom age is inconsequential. One of the grand dames of folk music, she lives in a cabin in the mountains outside Boise, Idaho, and has been described as, "As far from the misty-eyed folkie stereotype as good bourbon whiskey is from pink lemonade."
27-March-1998 Odetta
From Alabama to Zimbabwe, Odetta has captivated music lovers in many lands and from all facets of music world.
27-February-1998 Memphis Blues Bash Jimmy Wolff and his band
Bring your dancing shoes, your southern drawl and get out of that mid-winter funk.
6-February-1998 Susan Werner
Susan has it all.
Don't miss Ithacan Jody Kessler's act.
30-January-1998 Creek Bend
Our favorite blue grass band from Buffalo.
16-January-1998 Skip Gorman
Robin Williams described Skip Gorman as a master of the mandolin and fiddle, and this is on top of his expertise in the "real" history of the American cowboy.
9-January-1998 Cliff Eberhardt and Lisa McCormick
Cliff is a contemporary singer/songwriter who has come a long way since he sang such memorable advertising jingles as the Heartbeat of America for Chevrolet in the 80's.
Lisa, a Vermont singer/songwriter, is taking the acoustic music world by storm and was one of the three new musical groups chosen by popular vote to return to the main stage for next summer's Falcon Ridge Festival.
1997 Fall Schedule
Date Description
21-November-1997 Robin and Linda Williams and their fine group
The masters of harmony singing and songwriters who get to the heart of life's stories. Robin and Linda are often featured on the public radio show Prairie Home Companion.
24-October-1997 Beppe Gambetta
Opening act: Dave Parker
Flatpicking is virtually unheard of in Italy, so Beppe travels annually to the U.S. to perform his favorite music, along with a multicultural tapestry of traditional and original acoustic music works.
17-October-1997 Hugh Blumenfeld and
the Sload Wainwright Band
Hugh has been called the "songwriter's songwriter," for creating melodies of great beauty and with poet's command of the language.

Sloan (who happens to be Loudon the III's sister) is known for her chesty alto voice, powerful repertoire, multi-talented band, and straight-shooting, gutsy music.

03-October-1997 Kate Campbell
Opening act: Kevin So
Mississippi-born Kate is an original voice from the American South. Critics have praised he strong, smoky vocals and compare the literary sensibility of her lyrics to the of the great southern writer: Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor, and Tenesee Williams.
18-September-1997 Tim O'Brien
Opening act: Breakaway
Tim, known as the lead singer of Hot Rize and Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, is one of the finest vocalists in today's new traditional bluegrass.



Directions from the Ithaca area:
Take Route 13 northward past Cortland to Sheds.
At Sheds, you could turn left with Route 13 and continue until you meet Route 20 in Cazenovia.
Alternately, at Sheds, you could go straight (off the map), through a very nice state forest, and end up on Route 20, having saved a few miles.
Either way, turn right (east) on Route 20 and continue past Pine Woods.
Turn left (north) on Route 12B.
Continue to the town of Clinton, to the Village Green.
You're there. If you still can't find it, ask directions.



Contact information:
Kirkland Art Center
East Park Row (NYS Route 12B)
Clinton, NY 13323
315-853-8871
Links to:
  • Kirkland Art Center
  • CNY Cultural ArtsCalendar
    Mail to:
  • Kirkland Art Center
  • Ginger Parker


  • Back to Folkstuff



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