Special Events

Step Back in Time!

Spend an afternoon outdoors at the Farmstead enjoying the “Music of the American Colonies”

Saturday, April 24
Rain date, Sunday, April 25*

• Grounds open at 1:00 pm
• Bring your own picnic blanket or lawn chair to sit in socially distanced circles
• Food available for purchase from Let’s Have Ball Food Truck (corn chowder, potpies – beef, chicken, vegetarian; hot dogs, chicken nuggets for the kids; gluten free options; desserts and soft drinks).
• Concert begins at 2:00 pm

Reservations are required and space is limited! Get Tickets here.

• General Admission: $20 each
• Senior/Farmstead Member: $18 each
• Child under 10: $10 each
• Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids): $50
• Group of Friends (8 adults, sit together): $120
• Children under 2 years of age – free (must register)

Current State of NJ and CDC Guidelines must be followed (masks and social distancing). Safety policies and guidelines for Farmstead Arts (and our Waiver of Covid-19 Liability Form) can be found here: https://farmsteadartscenter.org/fa-home/about-us-2/safety-policis/

*If this event is cancelled, credit will be given toward a future performance (no refunds).

The “Music of the American Colonies” will be performed by Anne and Ridley Enslow. This hour-long show will transport you to the world of our Founders. Anne and Ridley both sing, and play instruments that are authentic to the period.

In every age, the people put themselves, their hopes, their dreams—and often, their humor—into their music. The colonial period was no exception, as you will see in this lively show, which includes sea shanties, dance tunes, drinking songs, “liberty songs,” and of course, love songs.

”Music of the American Colonies” highlights many favorite colonial songs. It is a show for the whole family, complete with a dancing limberjack (wooden puppet) that never fails to please.

The Enslows, who have appeared at the Farmstead on several previous occasions, will wear period dress and play instruments that are appropriate to the colonial period. Ridley plays an 18th-century violin built in France in 1776, and Anne is a master of the hammered dulcimer, a trapezoidal instrument with nearly 100 strings that are struck with little wooden hammers.

Events are made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.