Work o' the Weavers concert to close uNi 2013 series

PRIME – May 2013 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – On May 18 at 7:30 p.m., Work o' the Weavers – the tribute quartet that recreates the sound, spirit, and story of the famous folk group, The Weavers, returns to uNi for the third time to present the season grand finale concert of the 28th year of the uNi Coffeehouse Concert Series. The concert will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Society Meetinghouse, 245 Porter Lake Drive in Springfield. Tickets are $15 at the door. Legacy of The Weavers It has been more than 50 years since the original Weavers sang in the face of the Blacklist, reuniting in 1955 at Carnegie Hall for a triumphant sold-out concert which, along with the release of the Vanguard album of that milestone event, gave heart to a generation beset with the Cold War and McCarthyism, and provided a foundation upon which virtually every subsequent folksinger would build. Honoring a legend Work o' the Weavers is the tribute quartet that recreates not just the sound, but also the spirit and story behind The Weavers group that helped spark the folk revival. James Durst, David Bernz, Mark Murphy, and Martha Sandefer capture the personas of original Weavers – Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman, Lee Hays, and Ronnie Gilbert – who together first popularized such now well-known and well-loved folk songs as "If I Had A Hammer," "Midnight Special," "The Sloop John B," "Goodnight Irene," "This Land Is Your Land," "'Tzena Tzena, Wimoweh," and "Michael Row The Boat Ashore." It's for this reason, as well as for the music we all know and love, that this group continues to celebrate the work of The Weavers. In addition to the old, expect a few new songs that the original Weavers might sing today. Praise for Work o' the Weavers Original Weaver Fred Hellerman said, upon hearing "Work o' the Weavers" in concert, "I always felt a little cheated because I never had the chance to sit out front and listen to The Weavers. But that changed tonight." Pete Seeger said they "picked up where The Weavers left off. Fantastic!" Ronnie Gilbert said, "You really do sound like The Weavers!" Billboard Magazine called their program, "A Tale of Musical Courage." For more information about, or 'reservations for, the Work o' the Weavers concert, the final concert in the uNi coffeehouse's 28th season of performances, call 413-562-3990 or visit the coffeehouse's website at http://uNiCoffeehouse.org.