Sunday October 25, 7:30pm: Elizabeth Laprelle & Wake Robin

Saturday October 24, 7:00pm: Gary Crouth CD Release

It is a great weekend for traditional music and storytelling!

SongSpace Gallery Presents

Elizabeth LaPrelle
with special guests Wake Robin

Sunday October 25, 2026, 7:30pm
Undercroft Gallery
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

SongSpace is pleased to present a master of Appalachian music along with a treasured Pittsburgh folk trio, in the intimate space of the Undercroft Gallery!

Elizabeth LaPrelle has been performing Appalachian ballads and old-time songs since she was eleven. Her magnificent voice, her respect for the songs, and her authentic mountain sound and style brought her to the attention of first Ginny Hawker and then Sheila Kay Adams. Raised in Rural Retreat, Virginia, Elizabeth attended old time fiddlers’ conventions and sang harmonies with her family, who taught her traditional singing styles and encouraged her to sing their own favorite American folk music. 

Wake Robin is a Pittsburgh-based folk group featuring Hannah Standiford, Judy Swanson, & Annick Odom. The band draws from old-time traditions, the folk revival, early bluegrass, and their own original songwriting woven together with close harmonies.

$20 suggested donation at the door; but pay what you can to support live music in Pittsburgh!

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Crossing Appalachia:
Songs Inspired by Stories from West Virginia

Saturday October 24, 2026, 7:00pm
Sanctuary
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Our friend Gary Crouth is well known in Pittsburgh for his work in the Squirrel Hillbillies and his passion for bringing communities together with music.  Patrons of SongSpace also know Gary as the joyfully indefatigable MC of our SongSpace Sanctuary shows!  This is a special, non-SongSpace CD release party for Gary’s CD Crossing Appalachia.

Crossing Appalachia is a collection of original songs by Gary Crouth, inspired by stories told by Pittsburgh visual artist Terry Shutko. Throughout their decades-long friendship, Shutko, who grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, during the 1960s, shared stories with Crouth about the people, events, and lore of his hometown and the surrounding region. Those stories inspired Crouth to begin writing songs in 2025 that would become Crossing Appalachia, a musical portrait deeply rooted in place, telling stories of human endeavor, perseverance, struggle, and hope.

All attendees will receive a complimentary CD! 

Admission is by free-will donation, with 100% of proceeds going to Hope in the Mountains of West Virginia.

For more information:
Gary Crouth 412.376.5739
HappySunRecords@gmail.com

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Please Note!

Due to unforseen circumstances, Bertha and the Belles will not appear on the SongSpace stage in January 2027.

Instead Dan Petrich, Tucker Muetzel, Raymond Morin and friends will fill the evening of January 23 with great, toe-tapping Pittsburgh acoustic music! 

Watch for future newsletters, as well as uusongspace.com, for more info!

A New Season!

It’s a new season for SongSpace! Five shows on the Sanctuary stage for 2026-2027… Mark your calendars and get your tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com!

Fri Oct 9, 2026, 7:30pm – Joe Crookston 

Sat Nov 21, 2026, 7:30pm – Kelsey Jumper & Colter Harper

Sat Jan 23, 2027, 7:30pm – Bertha & the Belles, with special guest Dan Petrich

Sat Mar 20 , 2027, 7:30pm – Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer & Chao Tian, From China to Appalachia — Continuing our collaboration with Calliope: The Folk Music Society of Pittburgh

Sat Apr 24, 2027, 7:30pm – The Weevils

Don’t forget to check out SongSpace Gallery as well!

Sunday Oct 25, 7:30pm – Elizabeth LaPrelle and Wake Robin in the Undercroft Gallery at First Unitarian

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Elizabeth LaPrelle
with special guests Wake Robin

Sunday October 25, 2026, 7:30pm
Downstairs in the Undercroft Gallery
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Elizabeth LaPrelle (https://elizabethlaprelle.com/) has been performing Appalachian ballads and old-time songs since she was eleven. Her magnificent voice, her respect for the songs, and her authentic mountain sound and style brought her to the attention of first Ginny Hawker and then Sheila Kay Adams. Raised in Rural Retreat, Virginia, Elizabeth attended old time fiddlers’ conventions and sang harmonies with her family, who taught her traditional singing styles and encouraged her to sing their own favorite American folk music.

Wake Robin (https://wakerobin.bandcamp.com/) is a Pittsburgh-based folk group featuring Hannah Standiford, Judy Swanson, & Annick Odom. The band draws from old-time traditions, the folk revival, early bluegrass, and their own original songwriting woven together with close harmonies.

Donation at the door.

$20 suggested; or pay what you can to support live music in Pittsburgh!

SongSpace Presents

Joe Jencks
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Saturday May 2, 2026
7:30pm 

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

If you’d like to listen to Joe before coming to the show on Saturday, he’ll be on the Saturday Light Brigade (WRCT 88.3, or listen online) around 10am.  And of course his earlier interview with Whiskey Before Breakfast is streaming at www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard!

On the stage, in the studio, or in lecture halls, Joe Jencks applies conservatory training to contemporary genres, bridging styles and techniques. Drawing on his Irish heritage (dual U.S./Irish Citizen), Jencks uses his lyrical voice to enchant, heal, and inspire. Jencks has won numerous songwriting awards and is also highly regarded as a song interpreter. Jencks weaves a diverse web of stories with brilliant musical skill, ensnaring even the most rigid of hearts, inviting them to open. His songs invite us to live inside of our passions and our beliefs.

“…tells our stories, his story, and the untold stories, as only an American folk master can…” — SIRIUS XM Radio

We’re so looking forward to sharing him with you!

Saturday May 2, 2026
Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General $20+fee advanced; $25 at the door
Student/reduced income: $15+fee advanced; $20 at the door

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213
 

SongSpace Presents

Joe Jencks
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Saturday May 2, 2026
7:30pm 

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

Radio interviews with Joe Jencks!

Listen to Joe’s interview with Mando Richard arond 11:15am Wed April 22 on Whiskey Before Breakfast, WRCT 88.3 FM Pittsburgh and www.wrct.org, and again around 9:15am on Thursday April 30. And of course you can stream the interview soon after it airs on April 22 at www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard!

Details are still being worked out for an interview the morning of the show, May 2, on the Satuday Light Brigade (also on WRCT), so keep your ears perked up for that.  As soon as we know, we’ll post the particulars on Instagram and Facebook. 

Joe Jencks is a 27-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and a celebrated vocalist based in northern Illinois. He is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness, and invitational exploration of complex ideas. Jencks delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. 

“The spirit of Folk music is people working together. Joe is a fantastic singer who carries on the traditions.” ~ Pete Seeger
 
“In a dark and frequently shallow time, how refreshing to hear a man willing to wear his heart on his sleeve. How refreshing to hear someone sing with passion about matters which are not directly related to HIM. A man with a golden voice, who has a great feeling for history, and the role that songs play in documenting that history.”  ~ Luka Bloom, Singer-Songwriter, IRE

Saturday May 2, 2026
Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General $20+fee advanced; $25 at the door
Student/reduced income: $15+fee advanced; $20 at the door

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213

SongSpace Presents

Joe Jencks
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Saturday May 2, 2026
7:30pm 

“Joe tells our stories, his story, and the untold stories, as only an American folk master can…” — SIRIUS XM Radio

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

Joe Jencks is a 27-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and a celebrated vocalist based in northern Illinois. He is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness, and invitational exploration of complex ideas. Jencks delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. 
 
Jencks has penned several #1 Folk songs, including the ever-relevant “Lady of The Harbor,” and has become a fan favorite throughout North America and beyond. A dual U.S.-Irish citizen, Joe also performed as a Cultural Ambassador during the Obama Administration, traveling to multiple Caribbean nations with the U.S. State Department, singing both original and American Folksongs about work, workers, and Civil Rights. Joe was the musical director for an annual Veterans retreat: Warriors Heart to Art, writing songs with military vets. Joe is also a recording artist, producer, and a Folk DJ. (My Highway Home ~ on Folk Music Notebook) Joe has sung and preached in more that 200 UU congregations across the U.S., Canada, and Ireland. www.joejencks.com.

Saturday May 2, 2026
Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General $20+fee advanced; $25 at the door
Student/reduced income: $15+fee advanced; $20 at the door

Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Many of you have had power outage challenges over the past 24h due to high winds in the Pittsburgh area. We hope you are doing OK!   First Unitarian Church has power and heat, and we’re looking forward to a super concert tonight! Come warm up and enjoy a hot duo tearing it up in Pittsburgh! SongSpace and Calliope present Larry & Joe Saturday March 14 7:00 doors / 7:30 show Tickets at calliope.org until 3pm, or at the door right up ‘til showtime! SongSpace at First Unitarian 605 Morewood Ave (Shadyside) Pittsburgh PA 15213

Present

Larry & Joe
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Saturday March 14, 2026
7:30pm

We couldn’t resist sharing this Instagram reel from the dynamic duo themselves about Saturday night’s concert!

“Pittsburgh! We’re so ready to get back to Steel City this Saturday, March 14. We’re playing a show presented by SongSpace & Calliope.

It’ll be a hoot!

Larry & Joe live in Pittsburgh
Saturday March 14

7pm doors
7:30pm-9:30pm show

SongSpace
First Unitarian Church
605 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

All ages!

🎟️ : $25 GA, $10 student
At the door, or at calliopehouse.org“

“Can’t wait to get to Pittsburgh — Y’all Bring It!” — Joe Troop

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Present

Larry & Joe
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Saturday March 14, 2026
7:30pm 

SongSpace & Calliope have partnered together to bring you an extraordinary evening of music at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside.

“…Another bold move…bending boundaries but still retaining the emotive and expressive qualities common to folk traditions that extend from north to south.” – Bluegrass Today

Buy tickets at Calliope
Advance Tickets bought at eventbee.com will also be honored!

Larry & Joe were destined to make music together.

Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela and is a legend of Llanera music. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and oldtime musician. Larry was forced into exile and wound up in North Carolina. Joe, after a decade in South America, got stranded back in his stomping grounds in the pandemic. Larry worked construction to make ends meet. Joe’s acclaimed “latingrass” band Che Apalache was forced into hiatus. Then Larry met Joe.

Currently based on the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.

Hear the joy as Joe chats with Mando Richard on Whiskey Before Breakfast on mixcloud!

You can hear them on NPR’s Here and Now too!

“Can’t wait to get to Pittsburgh — Y’all Bring It!”  – Joe Troop

Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General $30 adv / $30 at the door
Student/reduced income: $15 adv / $15 at the door
No processing fee!

Buy tickets at Calliope
Advance Tickets bought at eventbee.com will also be honored!

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213
 

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Coming up in May!

SongSpace presents

Joe Jencks
May 2, 2026
7:30pm

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 (dual U.S./Irish Citizen) and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. A co-founder of the harmony trio, Brother Sun,  Jencks weaves a diverse web of stories with brilliant musical skill, ensnaring even the most rigid of hearts, inviting them to open. His songs invite us to live inside of our passions and our beliefs.

Advance tickets at eventbee.com!

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside
Pittsburgh PA 15213