Community Corner
Father-Daughter Duo to Sing at Watertown's First Parish Church
The concert featuring David and Linnea Coffin will benefit needy residents in town.
For some, driving a car is simply a way to get from one place to another. But for David Coffin, it’s an opportunity to harmonize with his 15-year-old daughter, Linnea. But this Saturday, you won’t have to sit in the back seat to listen to them. Instead, concert-goers can hear Coffin and his daughter sing a variety of folk tunes at First Parish of Watertown.
Appearing on stage is not new for Coffin. Since 1980, he has performed with delighting crowds as a singer, instrumentalist, and, since 1991, Master of Ceremonies. In 2005, Linnea joined him.
"We have performed in many different venues and she is always well received," says Coffin. "We have performed at several festivals, and many concerts, and for 7 years running on the Revels stage in Cambridge…. She is a gracious performer and I repeatedly say that 'I will sing with her for as long as she'll let me.'"
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Coffin adds that there should be plenty of highlights in this weekend’s concert. "As with most of my performances, audience participation is a priority," he says. "People come to my concerts expecting to sing along on choruses and they should never be disappointed."
Besides his daughter, Coffin will also perform with noted studio musician Kent Allyn on guitar and piano. Together, they will play a mix of contemporary and traditional songs. Coffin has an extensive collection of tunes from the maritime tradition, including sea-chanteys and ballads that draw on vocal and instrumental music from North America as well as England, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany.
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The concert is sponsored by the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston. The FSSGB holds one benefit concert a year to help the First Parish of Watertown replenish their Helen Robinson Wright fund, which offers assistance to individuals in need in Watertown.
According to Lori Fassman, the secretary/clerk of the FSSGB, "This is a very special annual tradition for us because it gives us a chance to give back to the First Parish, which has been such a lovely and welcoming venue for Folk Song Society concerts for many years."
Admission for Saturday’s 8 p.m. show is $20 for adults. Children 17 and under are welcome free of charge. Tickets are available online or at the door. For more information, visit the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston website.