The next Music at the Meetinghouse Summer Series Concert at the First Church of Christ, Congregational in East Haddam will take place on Sun., Aug. 18, at 3 p.m. when the Homegrown String Band from Long Island, will perform.January 2013 marked the 16th anniversary of the Homegrown String Band, which consists of Georgianne and Rick Jackofsky and their daughters, Erica and Annalee.  They have been performing around the country, from the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., to the Festival of American Music at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, since 1997.

This family band from New York carries on the tradition of families making a joyful noise and sharing it with their neighbors.  While the music is based on the sounds of rural American country sound, their program of acoustic music also includes unique interpretations of traditional material as well as original music in the same genre.  They improvise and interact like only a family can, using an assortment of traditional acoustic instruments including guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, banjo ukulele, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, jawharp, doumbek and percussive flatfoot dance.

At the reception following the concert is a Trunk Show of the family’s creative endeavors when not playing music.  During their many car rides Erica taught herself to knit, and soon was designing her own projects, eventually starting Fiddle Knits Designs.  Her original designs have been published in numerous international magazines and books, and as part of KnitPicks independent designer program.  She soon began dyeing her own line of yarn to complement her designs.

Noticing her need for quality buttons, Rick began to make fine artisan metal buttons handcrafted in pewter and copper, and Rick and Georgianne worked together to make Navajo spindles decorated with Georgianne’s original pyrographic designs.  Inspired by Erica’s shawls and Rick’s forged copper buttons, Georgianne designed a line of shawl pins.  Annalee noticed that everyone’s hands needed pampering, and created her own line of handcrafted soaps.  All will be shared during the social hour after the concert.

Sponsored by the Board of Music and the Arts at First Church of Christ, Congregational in East Haddam this concert represents the intention of the Concert Series by providing unusual and quality entertainment and education for the community.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15. or in advance for $12. by calling 860-537-2052 for reservations.  All children are admitted free.

Concerts will continue in September with the Fall Concert Series.