The first Francestown Academy Coffeehouse of 2025 is Saturday, Jan. 4, and features the Kukuleles, a ukulele performance group directed by Amy Conley.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for show time at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested to cover the cost of the event. The coffeehouse, named for the historic Francestown Academy, takes place at the Francestown Town Hall in the center of town.

Kate McClure and David Leard took over organizing the coffeehouse in September from founders Pamela and JP Stohrer. McClure’s husband, Jim McClure of Betsy’s Folly Studio in Lyndeborough, provides audio for the events, which take place the first Saturday of each month. 

“It’s been going great,” McClure said Monday. “We’ve picked up right where JP and Pam left off. It has been really fun getting to know the musicians who have played at the coffeehouse and also fun bringing in new acts. It’s been a smooth transition, and really, we’ve just stepped into their shoes.”

Musicians who are interested in playing at the Francestown Academy Coffeehouse can apply at francestowncoffeehouse.org/information.

The coffeehouse differs from an open-mic night in that the musical lineup is planned ahead of time and follows a schedule. The event is family friendly and includes a free snack table, soft beverages and coffee. 

McClure and Leard suggest guests bring a seat cushion for the Town Hall’s wooden benches and a kazoo to play along with some of the songs, as kazoos have become a tradition at the coffeehouse.

“We continue to be a kazoo-friendly coffeehouse. We ask that each musician do one song per set with a kazoo that the audience can play along to,” McClure said. 

New kazoos will be provided for anyone who does not bring a kazoo and would like to play along.

The Kukuleles will perform for about 30 minutes following a lineup of musicians starting with Gary Schnakenberg, who plays “contemporary Americana.” Jade Bailey a young singer/songwriter from Francestown who is now living and recording music in Keene, will perform for about 20 minutes after Schnakenberg.

Bailey will be followed by Jonas Taub and Andy Chapman, a guitar and clarinet duo from the group “Off The Cuff.” Arthur Terembula, a slide guitarist, is scheduled to perform some of his blues repertoire, followed by the Kukuleles. 

Conley, a Milford-based musician, teaches ukulele classes and workshops for all ages.

The coffeehouse also features a local artist during each performance, whose work is displayed during performances at Francestown Town Hall. This month’s artist is Susana Miles of Smiles Glass Art, which can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/smilesglassart. 

For information about Francestown Academy Coffeehouse, go to francestowncoffeehouse.org or find it on  Facebook.