Hi All,

For everyone in town the last weekend of Spring Break – an exciting two-day event at the High School is something you may want to mark on your calendar!

LREI and The New York Folk Society are sponsoring "North American Urban 1940-1960." This will be a major event honoring and celebrating the American urban folk music culture of the 1940s and 1950s. The location is Elisabeth Irwin High School on March 28th and 29th. On Saturday there will be a day of panels and presentations (with lots of playing and singing to be sure) starting at 1:00 PM, followed by an evening concert beginning at 7:00. Part of the morning, by the way will be a discussion with Little Red/Elisabeth Irwin alumni from those years talking about their memories of that eventful time.

The Folk Music Society approached us because they’re well aware of our school’s historic connection to the music and the political currents of that amazing epoch in American history - a time when LREI music teachers like Charity Bailey, Bob Decormier and Earl Robinson walked the streets of the Village and the Square and sang this music with our students, and when legends like Oscar Brand, Leadbelly, and were a part of the life of the school.

The next afternoon, Sunday March 29th, singer/songwriter/folk music historian Tony Saletan will perform songs from the Henry Wallace campaign of 1948. Perhaps this seems like ancient history for most of us. But it has special poignancy for Little Red historians as it was one of a long line of elections – a streak memorably broken this fall, I might add – when the students at school backed the losing candidate in mock elections! (My understanding from conversations with some alumni is that the EI mock election that year produced what you might call a lopsided victory for Henry Wallace, something like 270 (including faculty) for Wallace and 2 for Harry Truman!)

Tony Saletan has traveled around the world singing American Folk Songs and collecting songs from other folk traditions. He has had several Folk Music series on public television, as well as appearing on such programs as the radio’s "Prairie Home Companion" and TV's "."

So many of you won’t want to miss. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or email directly at school. I can reserve your tickets or you can access information at: www.folkconcert3.eventbrite.com. If you’re interested you can also check out www.folkmusicny.org or talk to the folks at the Folk Music Society at 718-672-6399. I hope to see many current families there!

Best, Nick O’Han

Nicholas O'Han The Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School School Historian Director of Urban Studies and Community Service Office - 212.477.5316 X 313