A Night of Words, Music, and Surprise: Thursday, January 8, 2026, 7 pm-9:30 pm
If you found your way here, congratulations! You're one step closer to a night full of inspiration and genius. Ken Waldman & The Wild Ones features Alaskan Fiddling Poet, Ken Waldman, with Cambridge MA guitarist (and fiddler and accordion player), Erica Weiss, and Brooklyn banjo player (and global personality), Ilan Moss. They'll go from rocking and rowdy traditional string-band numbers (made new through poetry and storytelling accompaniment) to Waldman's original waltzes to undoubtedly a guest or two. Separately, the three have not only played music all over the continent, but they've traveled the world. Together, they aim to make sure everyone watching and listening is having as much fun as they're having playing. Ken Waldman & The Wild Ones are on for a few minutes for the opening sampler and again from 9:15-9:30 (where they'll conclude the evening with a few friends, and quite possibly go past the scheduled end of the show).
From 7:00-7:30 we begin with short sampler sets from our featured artists: Rakish, the powerful duo of fiddler/banjo player, Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist, Conor Hearn; they wowed audiences on a recent Western U.S. tour. Also we host rural Pennsylvania's Bachelor Farmer, Jeff Corle, whose song, Empty Barn, written in response to having to sell off the cows from his family dairy farm, went viral and changed his life; a singer and songwriter, he speaks and writes compellingly about the economic challenges of dairy farming. We're also pleased to welcome a phenomenal fiddle/cello/guitar trio, The Nightjars; that's Maya Leibowitz on fiddle, Gabriel Furtado on guitar, Ellen Gira on cello. Two exceptional Canadian artists will also be performing: Barbra Lica is a JUNO-nominated singer/songwriter/producer who has headlined jazz festivals in Japan and in the States as well as her home country; Sarah Hagen is not only a widely touring and beloved classical pianist, but her comic Perk Up, Pianist! show has toured North American and European festivals and has her compared to Victor Borge.
At one point, we thought that was going to be the complete line-up, but in early November we were fortunate to add two more showcase artists. Fiddler, guitarist, and singer, Lily Henley, has been touring her interpretations of Sephardic Jewish ballads. We're excited to host her as well as the exceptional Venezuela-meets-Appalachia pair, Larry & Joe. That's Larry Bellorin and Joe Troop--bilingual vocals and virtuosic multi-instrumentalists.
After the brief samplers, Sarah Hagen will go from 7:30-7:45, and then we'll take it from there. Guaranteed you'll want to arrive at the start and stay through.
Updated schedule for Thursday night, January 8:
. . . Like a major folk festival stage--but at the iconic, intimate Don't Tell Mama
7:00-7:30: 8 short samplers, an introduction to all of tonight's artists
7:30-7:45: Sarah Hagen, https://sarahhagen.com/
7:45-8:00: Rakish, https://www.rakishmusic.com/home
8:00-8:15: Lily Henley, https://www.lilyhenley.com/bio
8:15-8:30: Barbra Lica, https://barbralicamusic.com/
8:30-8:45: The Nightjars, The Nightjars music is here
8:45-9:00: Jeff Corle, https://jeffcorlemusic.com/
9:00-9:15: Larry & Joe, https://www.larryandjoe.com/
9:15-9:30: Ken Waldman & The Wild Ones, https://www.kenwaldman.com
The venue: Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th, an easy walk from the Hilton, the conference hotel. It's 46th St. between 8th and 9th Avenue. We're in a back cabaret room, the same space Ken Waldman has used for a decade of producing APAP showcase evenings. It seats 80, and is open to both APAP attendees and the general public. APAP attendees are comped (and reservations are strongly recommended); it's $25 for the general public. There's a two-drink minimum, and it's a cash-only establishment. Doors open at 6:30, but you can also arrive early to grab a meal, or a drink in another of the rooms. It's a famous club, a lively piano bar up front. Again, it's an easy walk from the Hilton. Come see us! (For the first 8 APAP reservations, the drinks are our treat.)
Questions? Reservations? ken@kenwaldman.com