Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Put yourself in the room where live folk music thrives
Folkstage is a one-hour concert series featuring the finest traditional and singer-songwriter talent in folk music. Each year, some two dozen concerts come to you live from local venues or WFMT's studio. Previous live performers include Dom Flemons, Connie Kaldor, Bonnie Koloc, Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, Jim & Susie Malcolm, Abby Posner, and many more. Additional episodes feature selections from 45 years of archival performances, including from the Old Town School of Folk Music. Become a Folkstage supporter today.
You might also like The Midnight Special, a thematic mix of folk music and more every Saturday night from 9 pm to midnight after Folkstage.
Folkstage is available for free streaming in two different ways – live during the broadcast and on demand via the rights-compliant 5-hour, non-interactive player below within two weeks of the broadcast.
Ariane Lydon From the Archives
June 6, 2026, 8:00 pm
Music wafts like a summer breeze through a greening garden in a 2005 performance by Ariane Lydon.
Kray Van Kirk Live from St. Tim’s
April 12, 2025
Scientist-turned-folksinger Kray Van Kirk on 6 & 12-string guitar sings of heroes and hope. He aims to assure absolutely everyone that they are not alone. We broadcast live from St. Tim’s Coffeehouse at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Skokie. Guest host, Louise Frank.
Festival Previews from the Archives
April 5, 2025
Every summer, Folkstage presents the top performers set to appear at local festivals. Hear highlights from the Woodstock Folk Festival and Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival previews. Folkstage members make up the studio audience for the live broadcasts.
Highlights from the Archives
March 29, 2025
We celebrate WFMT members who make Folkstage possible with an array of performances from recent and vintage concerts. You’re invited to join in during this on-air membership drive show!
The Anne Harris Trio Live on WFMT
March 22, 2025
Among Chicago’s most-sought after players, fiddle phenom Anne Harris leads a trio featuring guitarist Ernie Hendrickson and cellist Ryan Carney that specializes in show stopping numbers. Harris will play her new violin that was custom-made by Amanda Ewing, the first officially recognized Black woman luthier in the US. Making History as a Black Woman Luthier
Susan Werner from the Archives
March 15, 2025
In the early days of Folkstage, Chicago’s premiere singer-songwriter performed many of her signature songs at this 1999 concert recorded live at WFMT.
Nathans & Ronstadt Live from St. Tim’s
March 8, 2025
Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt blend voice, guitar and cello in a uniquely surprising duo. They make their Chicagoland debut live on Folkstage in a St. Tim’s Coffeehouse concert at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Skokie.
Boxcar Lilies from the Archives
March 1, 2025
Strong women’s voices ring through The Boxcar Lilies’ Folkstage performance from 2017 when Susan Cattaneo joined Jenny Goodspeed and Stephanie Marshall to create a bright Americana sound.
Sparky & Rhonda Rucker from the Archives
February 22, 2025
Sparky & Rhonda Rucker performed live at WFMT in 2015 encompassing history, civil rights and the joy of people singing with one voice.
David Francey Trio Live from Acoustic Renaissance
February 15, 2025
Scottish-born carpenter-turned-songwriter David Francey worked in Canadian rail yards and in the Yukon bush, all the while setting his poems to music. He swoops down from Ontario, fresh from collecting his fourth Juno award, with trio-mates Terra Spencer and Chris Murphy. This rare Chicagoland appearance is sold out! Tune in for your front row radio seat.
David Roth Live from St. Tim’s
February 8, 2025
Chicago native singer/songwriter David Roth will receive a warm hometown welcome for his tender and peace-oriented anthems. The live concert starts at 7PM at St. Tim’s Coffeehouse, St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church (Skokie). Broadcast at 8PM.
Dar Williams From The Archives
February 1, 2025
Dar Williams has bridged the 20th and 21st Centuries with introspective yet universal songwriting. In particular, her evocative February song still resonates. This early Folkstage concert was recorded in 1999 at WFMT.
New Year’s Parties From The Archives
January 25, 2025
We wrap up January 2025 with memorable Midnight Special New Year’s Eve shows going back 20 years featuring Josh White, Jr., Peggy Seeger, Tom Dundee, James Lee Stanley, Vicky & John Forster and Jim Bizer & Jan Krist.
Guy Davis From The Archives
January 18, 2025
Brilliant and irreverent, acoustic blues master, songwriter, and raconteur, Guy Davis visited WFMT in 2005. He played a mix of blues standards and originals on guitar, harmonica, and banjo.
New Year’s Steve – Two “Revisited” From the Archives
January 11, 2025
Did you miss the second edition of our “New Year’s Steve” tribute to Steve Goodman? No worries! We reprise the show with Megon McDonough, Don Stiernberg, Chris Walz, Marc Edelstein, and Daniel Nahmod, including a few tunes that did not air on the original broadcast.
Howard Levy Live from St. Tim’s
January 4, 2025
In a rare solo show, harmonica maestro and pianist extraordinaire Howard Levy plays St. Tim’s Coffeehouse (Skokie). He is just off his tour with Prairie Home Companion. This highly-anticipated night of vibrant, eclectic, and utterly original music will be broadcast live as it happens.
New Year’s Steve – Two! Live from WFMT
December 28, 2024
Megon McDonough, Chris Walz, Don Stiernberg, Marc Edelstein, and Daniel Nahmod gather to honor “Chicago Shorty” singing songs by Steve Goodman and his friends.
Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Celtic Quartet from the Archives
December 21, 2024
It was a solstice soiree at Acoustic Renaissance in 2022 when Jennifer Cutting brought the holly-decked Ocean Celtic Quartet to perform live on Folkstage.
Lee Murdock & The Dock Wallopers Live from Hinsdale
December 14, 2024
Lee Murdock’s beloved ballad ” The Christmas Ship” forms the “anchor” for this holiday concert led by the widely acknowledged bard of the Great Lakes. Murdock’s long-time songmates, The Dock Wallopers, fill out rousing renditions of songs of the season and of sailing through fair and foul weather.
Harvey Reid from the Archives
December 7, 2024
The master of any string he plucks or slides or strums, Harvey Reid made a mid-winter visit to Folkstage in 2012. It was a night of gorgeous songs for the season accompanied by guitar and autoharp and a terrific story about “How Can I Keep From Singing.”
Jonathan Byrd from the Archives
November 30, 2024
The brilliant song craftsman, mathematician, teacher and student, Jonathan Byrd gave a shimmering Folkstage performance in 2005.
