About 200 people flocked to the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum in Hadley last week for an installment of their Wednesday Folk Traditions, now in its 35th season. Grammy-nominated Senegalese kora player Youssoupha Sidibe was joined by saxophone virtuoso Charles Neville for the second concert of the series, which continues through July.
“It’s great that talented musicians tell the story of immigrants that have settled in the Valley over time, which is the idea behind Folk Traditions,” said Susan Lisk, the museum’s executive director.
Risa Sudolsky, of Conway, held her granddaughter, Zaia, 1, while waiting for the show to start. She said she remembers taking her own children to the shows 23 years ago.
“It’s a beautiful place and kid-friendly. It’s the place to be,” she said.
Victor Ernesto Guevara, of Amherst, who has been attending the concerts for decades, was relaxing in a lawn chair with a drink. “Everyone that comes here is on the same page, the same mood. Everyone greets you with a smile.”
“I’m excited that we have people who come back every year,” added Lisk. “We couldn’t do it without our business sponsors and the Amherst and Hadley Cultural Councils because they underwrite the series.”