From Celtic tunes to singer-songwriters, a beloved concert series blends artistry, intimacy, and community
For 34 years, the Acoustic Brew Concert Series has delighted music lovers with affordable performances by local, national, and international folk and acoustic musicians in an intimate concert space.
“We try to have a mix each year,” says Holly Foy, the head booker for bands. “A balance of singer-songwriters, Celtic, bluegrass, world music, blues, etc. We look for musicians who will engage with audiences, and are as good between sets as when they’re playing. … People are thrilled to hand performers a CD [compact disc] and get it signed.”
“We pride ourselves on having a ‘listening room.’ Our venues are quiet so concerts feel like having a one-on-one conversation with the musicians.”
After moving to the area in 1994, Foy says she put off attending the concerts because she didn’t know the performers. Then she realized it didn’t matter. She attended the 10th anniversary concert in 2002 and was hooked. “If you like the genre of music, go. We’re frequently getting up-and-coming performers on tour. All the Brew acts are top in their fields.”
For example, singer-songwriter Crys Matthews performed for Acoustic Brew on Jan. 17, 2026, and the following week, won Song of the Year at the International Folk Music Alliance Awards for her song, “Sleeves Up.”
The Acoustic Brew Concert Series is a nonprofit run by a collective of volunteers, forming a small community, Foy says. Concert tickets are typically $20, and volunteers get free admission to the concerts they work.
“We don’t want to have cost be a barrier, so we encourage and make room for anyone who wants to volunteer,” says Mel DeYoung, a volunteer and founding member.
He says Acoustic Brew was started by John and Doris Walls when they relocated to State College from Boston, because they missed volunteering at the Nameless Coffee House, a volunteer-run venue that presented folk concerts. “The first show was Saturday, Feb. 22, 1992 with Simple Gifts (Linda Littleton, Toby Carlson, and Paul Oorts) as the main act, and Kevin Morrisey as the opening act.”
The original venue, the Center for Well-Being in Lemont, is a cozy space with stellar acoustics that can seat 100 people. It continued to be the primary venue until increased attendance inspired the January 2024 move to University Mennonite Church in State College, which seats 150 and offers more fellowship space in the lobby.
The doors open half an hour before the concert begins, and attendees gather in the lobby to enjoy hot beverages, baked goods, and conversation.
“Part of our mission is to have fellowship time,” Foy says. “We feel like folk music is a ministry.”
The organization’s board commits to offering at least one audience participation opportunity per season, she says. A community singalong, led by the Justice Singers of Centre County, follows the Crys Matthews concert.
On Feb. 7, the Canadian band, Cécilia, played a full concert of Celtic, traditional, and Quebecois tunes. Then local musicians joined them for an open Celtic jam session.
Acoustic Brew concerts are open to all ages. DeYoung says, “We’ve made it a priority to welcome younger audiences, even babes in arms, especially at concerts intended specifically for young children.”
Founding member Beth Shirey brought her newborn daughter to the second Acoustic Brew concert, and began volunteering later that year. All three of her children attended regularly. “It’s a nice organization. Everybody cooperates, which is really nice.”
For those with a hearing impairment, assistive technology is available to send the music directly through attendees’ hearing aids, to offer a better listening experience.
“We are still evolving to a new post-COVID normal,” DeYoung says. “In the before times, we might have as many as 15 shows a year. It’s more like eight now.”
Upcoming concerts include the popular Celtic band, Cherish the Ladies, on the afternoon of March 1 from 4-6 p.m., and singer-songwriter, Shanna in a Dress, on April 25 from 7-9 p.m.
Cherish the Ladies is known for its exhilarating Irish tunes, vocals, and step dancing. Cherish the Ladies was nearly sold out in early February.
Foy has worked with Shanna in a Dress twice before. “She had us in tears all night.” Most tears were from humor and some from heartbreak. Do yourself a favor, and come hear Shanna in a Dress.”
Tickets can be purchased through the website, acousticbrew.org, or at the concert if tickets are still available.
DeYoung says, “I think it is accurate to say that many of those who join together to put on Acoustic Brew concerts enjoy being a part of a community that does this work as much or more than the experience of hearing high-level concert performances. Put those two elements together and you have some very happy people.”
For more information, visit the Contact Us page at acousticbrew.org, the Facebook page (@accousticbrew), or call (814) 571-5182. T&G
Karen Dabney is a freelance writer in State College.
