Colleen Cleveland will perform a musical program, From Ireland to the Adirod-acks: 5 Generations of Songs and Ballads, at the Old Forge Library on Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Colleen is a descendant of Scottish and Irish settlers to the Brant Lake area of the Adirondacks. Her grandmother, Sara Cleveland, was a nationally recognized ballad singer in the 1960s. Colleen grew up going to festivals and learning the songs in the oral tradition.
Following Sara’s death in 1987, both Colleen and her father, Jim Cleveland, were encouraged to keep the family songs alive.
The family repertoire of songs runs the gamut from 15th century Irish, Scottish, and English ballads to regional songs and songs of the Civil War and World War I, as well as many other genres.
The program is free and open to the public. It is funded by NYSCA: the Presenting Program with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.
