Folk Glitter Queen at uNi

The uNi Coffeehouse Concert Series presents folk chanteuse and humorist Judy Polan on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. She is known to her longtime fans as "New England's Folk Glitter Queen" with a unique folk chanteuse stage persona. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more than two decades this Pioneer Valley based performer was a beloved entertainer on New England's acoustic music scene with an eclectic repertoire — at the intersection of pop, folk, and cabaret music — plus her warm welcoming stage presence and zany sense of humor. Polan's bright, crystalline voice and effortlessly elegant acoustic guitar stylings are applied to songs by writers as diverse as Van Morrison and Cyndi Lauper, contemporary British folk music greats (like Ralph McTell, John Martyn, Sandy Denny) and songs from films of the 1930's and 40's. The late Christopher Reeve said, "She does the best version of 'Singing in the Rain' I've ever heard!" Her hilarious renditions of songs from "The Wizard of Oz" (including the voices of the Munchkins!) and "Peter Pan" are particular favorites with her audiences. Polan's own compositions range from dreamy tributes to Fred Astaire and Cary Grant to a song set to William Wordsworth's famous poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" — chosen as the theme song for an international tourism campaign in the Lakes District of England. Many know her from her humorous memoir essays and poems featured, in her own voice, on WAMC / Northeast Public Radio's popular show "Roundtable"; and in print in Hampshire Life Magazine and her book "Glasgow Colours" written during a time of transition between music and writing careers, via a Decorative Arts Programme at the University of Glasgow. Some planning to attend have never seen the musical performance side of Judy Polan. In recent years, she has become best known for her articles about design in "Style 1900" and "Modernism" magazines, or her hundred-plus arts and feature stories for the Jewish Ledger newspapers. The concert will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society Meetinghouse on Porter Lake Drive in Springfield. For information or to make reservations, please call (413) 562-3990. Their Web site is uNiCoffeehouse.org. uNi Coffeehouse Concerts Concerts at the coffeehouse feature:

• A lovely wooded location bordering on Longmeadow and the Forest Park woodlands
• Easy access from anywhere via Interstate 91. Parking lot, plus space along road for later arrivals
• Acoustic music (not electric, not excessively loud), some very old songs and tunes, some very new
• Experienced performers from across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain
• Coffeehouse style atmosphere relaxed, informal, low stage, candlelight, but no alcohol, no smoke
• Lively concert hall sound in an intimate setting; performers often mingle with audience during breaks
• Refreshments available home baked goodies, hot spiced cider, coffee, teas, & just popped popcorn
• Handicapped accessible (please phone ahead for directions to the no-stairs entrance and to arrange preferred seating.)

— courtesy of uNi Coffeehouse