Church to host music series

When Leola United Methodist Church member Mark Campbell and pastor David Ryan learned that the Ten Thousand Villages and Emmaus Road cafes would both be closing, the two music lovers lamented losing the local venues. "I was a big fan of Ten Thousand Villages," said Ryan, who was a regular at the weekly concerts. "(Mark and I) had the idea we would like to do that here. We were looking for ministry that could do positive things and engage in the community."

Drawing from Campbell's local and even international connections to musicians, the duo has organized Music @ Maple And Main, a monthly music series to be held at the church, 7 W. Main St., Leola, on the second Friday of each month, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and music beginning at 7 p.m. The plan is for musicians to play two 45-minute sets. Eight concerts will feature local musicians and groups. Freewill donations for the musicians will be accepted at those events. Four times a year, Music @ Maple And Main will host touring artists. Tickets, which will be discounted for students, will be necessary to attend. Food items will be available for purchase at a nominal cost at each event.

The series kicked off in February with a soft opening featuring Ukulele Uprising, a group of about 40 that Ryan said is an "outgrowth of Music for Everyone" and of which he is a member. "We had a good turnout," said Ryan of the nearly 50 people who attended.

On March 10, the church will host Dillweed. "(Dillweed) is a local band that plays old-timey music with a banjo and an upright bass," said Campbell, who called the group's performances "fun-loving and joyous." "They like to be whimsical, upbeat, fun, and contemporary," he said, adding that the family-friendly band has a local following.

On April 14, tickets will be needed to hear the Mari Black Trio, featuring Celtic, Canadian, and American music by world champion fiddler Mari Black and her acoustic trio. The concert will coincide with an artist-in-residency program the group is taking part in at a local high school.

On May 12, Mark and Jordan Rast, a father and son team, will play. The pair specializes in Appalachian and bluegrass music with Jordan on lead vocals, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin and Mark on banjo, dobro, and backing vocals. "Mark plays with Colebrook Road," said Campbell, noting the group has been heard nationally.

Ryan noted that while the emphasis at the events will be on listening to the music, the venue will soon be undergoing a change immediately following the March concert, with updates to flooring, lighting, and paint to create a more comfortable atmosphere.

Ryan noted that the groups will tend to be in the folk, Americana, and bluegrass genres and will be appropriate for families. He added that food is being offered at a price that should allow families to come out for an affordable evening. "We want to have a venue where live music can be heard especially coming out of the pandemic where things were closed," he noted.

More information about the series and tickets for upcoming events may be found at http://www.leolaumc.com.