You would never guess from walking down Main Street in Liverpool there was a large group of musically talented individuals coming together to play music every other Thursday night.
Men and women from Queens County and beyond come at the Zion United Church in Liverpool for a “Jam Night”.
“There's a bunch of people in the town, South Queens mostly, and some people from other areas like Halifax, Hubbards, and they come and bring their instruments and play,” says church secretary Karen Mcleod, one of the women in charge of the jam nights. “They take turns singing songs and playing their instruments.”
Mcleod says they have guitars, fiddles, mouth organs, mandolins and more played by people of all ages and varieties. The number of people who show up to play and watch can range anywhere from 40 to 80 people.
The Jam Nights started around October of last year when a group of musicians came to Mcleod, and fellow congregation member Terry Dory, with a request. The music lovers wanted a place to get together and play, but couldn’t to find a venue.
“They said they had been everywhere in town trying to find a place, and no one would take them in,” says Mcleod. “They came to us to see if the church would consider doing that, so we took it to the board of directors and board of management.”
Mcleod says the musicians were a friendly and outgoing group of people, so it worked out for both the players and the listeners.
Admission is $2 to get in, which goes towards the church. There is also a 50/50 draw, and a free luncheon.
Although the event is held in the church, Mcleod says people who want to go do not have to be part of the congregation. The evening of music is open to anyone and everyone.
“You’ve just got to want to play an instrument or want to listen to them,” she says.
“The people that play and sing are excellent. They have beautiful voices and lovely playing,” says Mcleod. “It's a great time. Where else can you go for $2 and have an evening's entertainment? I think it's going very well.”
Doors open at 6 p.m for musicians to come in and set up, and the entertainment starts at 7 and runs until about 10.
The next Jam Night will take place Thursday, Feb. 24. For more information, contact Karen Mcleod at 354-3534
