Traditional Folk Way Out in the Garden

Friday, Aug. 26

Goodell Gardens & Homestead's Summer Music Series continues on Aug. 26 with Tiger Maple String Band: Edinboro natives who have been playing together since 1999. Presenting Lori Burke on vocals and guitar, Justine and Alison Parker on fiddle, Barry Smith on banjo and vocals, and Fred Parker on guitar and vocals, this neat little outfit has more than a catchy, down-home ditty to share, which will certainly prompt listeners to leap up from their lawn chairs, kick up their heels, and dance under the stars.

The band describe their sound as possessing "a full-body richness that only acoustic instruments and clear vocals can bring," and cite Appalachian music as their influence. And this traditional folk vein is prominent in the band's tunes. An excellent example is "Oh My Little Darling," which starts with some mournful fiddling over steady plucky banjo. It still has that hand-clapping quality, leaving listeners itching to get up and dance. The tight harmonies weaving over the instruments might bring a tear to your eye, but the band also has plenty of upbeat tunes to share, like "Silver Lake": a foot-stomping, high energy folk song with brilliantly layered banjo, fiddle, and guitar. The instruments almost seem to chase each other around the song, adding to the quick pace and joyfulness.

If all this music works up an appetite, audience members can take a break from the tunes and stop by Big Horn Ranch's farm-to-table food truck, which will have plenty of delicious eats for sale. – Miriam Lamey

7 p.m. // Goodell Gardens & Homestead // 221 Waterford St, Edinboro // 734.6699