Hard Luck Cafe at Cinema Arts Centre, April 17

Long Island-based singer-songwriter Ed Ryan shares a bill with folk harmony trio Mountain Maidens during the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s monthly Hard Luck Café series at the Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Avenue, Huntington) on Thursday, April 17. The 8:30 p.m. concert in the Cinema’s Sky Room will be preceded by an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Cinema Arts Centre and FMSH members; $15 for non-members. For more information, visit www.fmsh.org or call (631) 425-2925.

Ed Ryan is a Long Island-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a powerful voice and sharp wit. He’s also done theater, stand-up comedy and voiceover work. Since launching his professional music career at venues such as the legendary Folk City in New York, Ed has fronted several successful bands including Ed Ryan & The Underdogs, which toured the country as the support act for then teen-queen Debbie Gibson, and the harder-edged Wide Awake. Also a respected performer of Irish music, he has played during the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s opening ceremonies on many occasions.

As a solo artist, Ed Ryan has released four CDs .His 2004 solo debut album, Make It So, contains 16-originals, while 2007’s It’s All in the Moose’s Head is a 15-track live album of self-penned songs. His latest CD, 2012’s  When New York was Irish, and 2006’s Songs I Love So Well (featuring his popular sing-along “Drinking Song”) both include a mix of  traditional, classic, contemporary and original Irish songs, He’s also released a comedy CD, That’s Not Funny, that features some of his humorous songs.

Mountain Maidens is a Long Island-based folk harmony trio comprised of Candice Baranello, Lorraine Berger and Marie Mularczyk O’Connell. Since first meeting at the Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson, the threesome has been performing a unique and harmonious mix of ballads, folk songs, country and gospel numbers, love songs and songs of social justice throughout the local area — including a slot at the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s Annual Members Showcase concert in January.

Individually, the group’s members are all accomplished musicians in their own right. Candice (Candy) plays the dulcimer; sings traditional, classical and gospel music, and is also a member of the a capella trio Wild Ginger. Lorraine plays the guitar and flamenco castanets and sings alto with the Huntington Choral Society. Marie is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, dumbec, bones and spoons, to name a few), who sings both British and American folk songs as well as Jewish music. 

About the Presenters

Established in 1973, Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre (www.cinemaartscentre.org) seeks to bring the best of cinematic artistry to Long Island and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community. LI’s only not-for-profit, viewer-supported, independent cinema presents a wide array of films that are often accompanied by discussions and guest speakers.

Now in its 45^th year, the Folk Music Society of Huntington (www.fmsh.org) presents two monthly concert series, a monthly folk jam and an annual folk festival in conjunction with the Huntington Arts Council. Its First Saturday Concerts series at the Congregational Church of Huntington (30 Washington Drive, off Route 25A, Centerport) will feature Philadelphia-based father & son blues-roots duo Beaucoup Blue sharing a bill with Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Brooks on May 3, while John Gorka returns on June 7.