Upcoming Events
Mad Folk concerts:
Check back soon for upcoming events!
Mad Folk presents:
Joe Jencks and Deidre McCalla
Nov. 15, 2026 (Sun)
6pm
(Doors at 5pm)
North Street Cabaret
610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704
Non-perishable donations of food will be collected for local food banks.
Flyer (Please print/post/share!)
Tickets:
$20 advance
$25 day of show
Joe Jencks is a 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, he delivers musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. He blends well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, serving it up with a lyric baritone voice. Joe has penned #1 folk songs and is co-founder of the harmony trio Brother Sun. From festivals such as Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Mariposa, and Old Songs, to Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Joe has enthralled audiences with his approachable style. In 2022, he released his 17th recording, The Coming of the Years, an album that stands firmly in the modern Celtic traditions and is still quintessentially a Joe Jencks record.
"[Joe’s music] builds and restores and provides much-needed clarity and hope."
–Victory Music Review
Deidre McCalla’s songwriting reveals an unyieldingly honest perspective expressed with a lyric touch that relentlessly celebrates the power and diversity of the human spirit. A Black woman, mother, lesbian, and feminist, her songs embody hope and celebration, struggle, loss, and longing. Deidre has been in the forefront of Black musicians redefining the understanding of how Black folk do folk. Deidre has shared the stage with a long list of notables that includes Suzanne Vega, Tracy Chapman, Holly Near, Odetta, Cris Williamson, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Her current release, Endless Grace, dominated the June 2022 Folk Radio Charts as the #1 Album with the #1 Song, “Shoulder To The Wheel,” which also won the 19th Annual International Acoustic Music Award for Best Folk/Americana/Roots Song. PopMatters, Rhythms Magazine, and the Folk Alley Listener Favorites Poll ranked Endless Grace among the Ten Best Folk albums in 2022.
"A highly distinctive voice in a crowded field of contemporary folk music."
–The Austin-American
Cheese Raffle to benefit Mad Folk @ Northside Lounge!
Nov. 18, 2026 (Wed)
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Northside Lounge
1022 North Sherman Avenue
Madison WI
$2 a paddle. All proceeds to benefit Mad Folk!
There is a lovely, locally owned establishment, The Northside Lounge, located on Sherman Ave. Each month they have a Cheese Raffle, which is like a meat raffle but with cheese! If you have never been to a Cheese (or meat) raffle you need to come. You basically buy a “paddle” and if your number gets called you get cheese – really good cheese. All the money is then donated to The Madison Folk Music Society. Even if you can’t make this event, we encourage you to try them out another time, a very friendly establishment and each month they do the cheese raffle and donate the money.
Mad Folk presents:
Bruised Orange: Singing the Songs of John Prine
Feb. 19, 2027 (Fri)
7pm
(Doors at 6pm)
North Street Cabaret
610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704
Non-perishable donations of food will be collected for local food banks.
Flyer (Please print/post/share!)
Tickets:
$15 advance
$18 day of show
Bruised Orange started in 2023 as a collaboration between Madison area musicians Jeff Burkhart and the late Chuck Bayuk to pay tribute to John Prine. Now, Jeff and three other long-time friends have picked up the torch.
John Prine’s music has inspired generations of musicians for more than 50 years, including the bandmates in Bruised Orange -- Jeff Burkhart, Liz Stattelman-Scanlan, Tina Thompson, and Colin Bazsali. Liz and Tina played together for many years in the Oak Street Ramblers; Colin and Jeff played together in the Barley Brothers, Cajun Strangers, and the Dirty Shirts, with whom Liz has performed as a guest on several occasions. Liz had also worked with the late Chuck Bayuk on a set of John Prine songs before his death.
Please join us for this musical celebration of the legacy of one of the best songwriters of our time, John Prine.
Thanks to our sponsors!
Check back soon for more concert listings!
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