Folk musicians, singer-songwriters, and lovers of acoustic folk music of all genres and backgrounds contributed support, encouragement, and love for over thirty years to make the New Moon Coffeehouse a successful monthly folk music concert series based in Haverhill, Massachusetts. In this time of covid-19 pandemic, indoor gatherings for live music performances pose a health risk, especially to tho
se in our audience who are older or live with someone older than sixty, or who have a pre-existing condition that would make contracting the virus particularly dangerous. From an abundance of caution, even in the future when government regulations and the policies of the U-U Church facility might once again permit live music performances, we will avoid any resumption of activities that could place our volunteers, the performers, or the audience members in any danger of contracting the virus. Our organization has a long history that is best represented by the memories and experiences of those who have participated in thirty-plus years of folk music. Performers come to Haverhill from near and far. Audience members come from down the street, around the corner, or from several hours drive away to see a favorite musician. Our volunteers make homemade carrot cake, cookies, cake, bars, and other treats. The coffee urn never empties. At the end of each live show, volunteers help to put away the chairs, break down the stage, and restore the Murray Room furniture to its regular arrangement. And a month later, we do it again. Except for now, during this time of pandemic, when we are presenting live performances online. It's different, we are learning a lot, and we invite everyone to participate until we can gather again for live shows in person. Founded in 1988 by Carol Allen and a group of volunteers, many of whom were members of the Haverhill U-U Church and/or faculty, staff, or students at Bradford College. Initial support was provided from the Massachusetts Arts Commission (the former name of what is now the Massachusetts Cultural Council.) New Moon Coffeehouse, Inc. is a 501-3-c nonprofit organization. It is a member of BACHA - the Boston Area Coffeehouse Association -- and NERFA - the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. New Moon Coffeehouse does not have any employees. Its volunteer board members and contributors do not receive any compensation for their services. If you'd like to get involved, when live shows resume, start coming to shows and stay around afterwards to help clean up. Most of our volunteers have been audience members who stayed around to help put away chairs after the show, and the next thing they knew, within a short time they were helping with social media, preparing refreshments, helping with the box office or the merchandise table, or updating the website, putting up flyers on community bulletin boards, or staffing an information table at a downtown festival.
