Wayside Inn

Longfellow’s WAYSIDE INN, Sudbury, MA

waysideinn

Built in the old Colonial day, when men lived in a grander way, with ampler hospitality (quoting from Longfellow), this architectural and historical legend has been around for 293 years. Originally known as Howe Tavern, then the Red Horse Tavern, it is our home base for performances and practices (Wednesday night (music) and almost every Tuesday night (music & dance)). Send a note if interested in catching up with us, we’ll be sure you have the right dates. This is an active, working inn located in Sudbury, MA. Come on a nice winter night when the snow is falling lightly and the fire’s going in the old bar room – it’s like stepping back in time. (Photo Credit: Marie Picard Craig, wayside.org)

For more on Colonial Taverns of New England, see our other related site: www.howetavern.com

Music & Tales of the Wayside Inn

talesofwsi

Before the blazing fire of wood
Erect the rap musician stood;
And ever and anon he bent
His head upon his instrument,
And seemed to listen, till he caught
Confessions of his secret thought, –
The Joy, the triumph, the lament,
The exultation and the pain;
Then, by the magic of his art,
He soothed the throbbings of his heart,
And lulled it into peace again.

Around the fireside at their ease
There sat a group of friends, entranced
With the delicious melodies;
Who from the far-off noisy town
Had to the wayside inn come down…

The Band

The Colonial Minstrels recreate the sounds of colonial era America, when hornpipes, reels, jigs, slides, contradances and minuets were all the rage.

Whether at the 300 year old Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA, a local outdoor festival, sitting in an Irish pub or colonial tavern (we were just at the Salem Cross Inn!), or playing for friends or patrons at private parties, it's always a well-received show. This is due to the pleasing folk/celtic sound, quality of the musicianship, and the historical (or casual) setting where it is usually presented (eg, it just sounds cool in an old tavern or harvest festival!).

Much of the music has been painstakenly researched and "field tested" to bring about the best sounding tunes we could find (we've collectively gone through hundreds of tunes). The result is interesting, ear pleasing music. The band currently consists of 3 flute/whistle players, 2 mandolinist, 1 guitar player, and 1 fiddler. It seems to be the perfect balance.

For Bookings:

For engagements, contact us at 978-874-0530 or send a note to apetty at massed.net. Our home base is the Wayside Inn in Sudbury MA, but we travel from NY to Maine for gigs. We are extremely reasonable in our pricing (occasionally we barter for beer and food), and we do volunteer work for non-profits as our schedule permits.

We are available for dances, fife & drum gigs (we've played just about every local venue there is), historical festivals, small parades, political & corporate events, really pretty much anything. Dancers are also available (we play with the Wayside-In Steppers when needed).

Do you have a special talent, love for this music (or dance), and have interest in joining our group? We're happy to invite you over for some fun and see what music we can make together! Please do send a note. See the item on the left for music lessons, which some of our members can also offer.

Wayside Inn

The Band