Acknowledged as the musical conscience of society, folk music has preserved — in its variety of forms — the joys, struggles and sorrows of people worldwide. In the late 1960s, a small group of Long Island residents dedicated to the preservation of folk music founded the Folk Music Society of Huntington. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1970, its membership numbered in the hundreds.

FMSH cultivated new talent in both modern singer-songwriters and performers of traditional songs, while providing opportunities for all lovers of acoustic music to find their favorites.

Hard Luck Café

Since the 1960s, coffeehouses have served as smaller forums to see and hear local and regional artists. The Hard Luck Cafe, begun in 1992, strives to do the same by presenting local, regional and up-and-coming national touring artists in an intimate atmosphere. Held on the third Wednesday of the month, from September through June, in the Sky Room at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre, the Hard Luck Cafe usually features a split bill with two artists/groups. Refreshments – including beer and wine – are available for purchase.

Open Mics

The perpetuation and preservation of folk music is not limited to “professional” artists. Folk music is the music of the people, and that includes all of us. To give the people a voice, an open mic precedes the Hard Luck Cafe series. All participants must pay the regular admission fee.

Folk Jams

To afford local amateur musicians and singers of all experience levels an opportunity to play, sing and hone their skills with others, a local library sponsors a series of monthly folk jams. These are held one Sunday afternoon a month at the South Huntington Public Library and are open to all. Attendees are asked to bring their instruments and/or voices, along with a snack or non-alcoholic beverage to share.

The Folk Music Society of Huntington is proud to be an active member of Folk Alliance International, the Huntington Arts Council and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA).