Circle of Song

MOST RECENT INFORMATION (as of APRIL 17th, 2025):

Weather permitting, we meet every first Sunday, from
2-4 pm, at the GROVER HOUSE (see directions).

We will indicate on this “Circle of Song” page if there is a change.

Please make sure that you are on our Circle of Song mailing list, so we can inform you about future Circles and other events.

MONTHLY MEETINGS:

Despite Covid, we have managed to meet almost every first Sunday, 2-4 pm – at the Grover House in Middletown (see directions). We often met on the porch of the Grover House, especially when the weather was kind. We intend to keep this format, indefinitely.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION:

VIRTUAL FESTIVALS

For two years (2021 and 2022), we celebrated Virtual Festivals. They turned out very beautiful, and we hope that we can do more in the future. Please check them out. They are on YouTube, and we are working to make them accessible here and from njclearwater.org, our Website.

Grover House
Ingrid Heldt

ANNUAL FESTIVALS in ASBURY PARK

We also held our 47^th and 48^th Annual Festivals during the weekends of August 6 and 7, 2022 and September 2023, in Red Bank. Our 49^th was on August 31 and September 1, back in our former home in Asbury Park.

PLEASE CHECK the “Performances” page for the most recent information.

NEWS FROM OUR BOAT COMMITTEE:

We lost two of our most enthusiastic captains, and the boat hasn’t been launched as often as we would like it.
Please let us know if you are interested in becoming a captain and please check the following websites for recent information:

February 2014 Circle of Song Session at the Eatontown Community Center
Photo: Ingrid Heldt

October 2012 Circle of Song Session at The Turnstile Coffee Bar
Photo: Larry Stockel

Early Circle of Song Session with Jim Crawford, Isis Ra,
Ingrid Heldt and Sharleen Leahey
Photo: Jack Charlton

More Pictures Below

The Story of Circle of Song

Welcome to the home of
NJ FRIENDS OF CLEARWATER’s
CIRCLE OF SONG

Pls. check here and on the “Performances” Page for the most recent updates.
Thank you.

At our Song Circles, there are always opportunities for audience members to participate, but you can also come and just listen.

Please bring your instrument – if you have one.

And it’s okay to practice something that isn’t perfect.

The suggested donation of $7 is still split between NJ Friends of Clearwater and
Pastor Sony’s work on behalf of the homeless and the hungry in Asbury Park

DIRECTIONS to the GROVER HOUSE
930 West Front Street, Middletown, NJ

Parkway: Ex.109 = Route 520 East – take the first left – via the jughandle after the
Lyncroft Academy bus station (Half Mile Road) – go to the end, take a left at Front Street –
The Grover House will be after Sterling Court, which is the third street on the left.
It will be on your right, and there is parking in front.

Route 35 North: I found this to be easiest: Before you get into Red Bank, take the jughandle to Route 520 West (Newman Springs Road). Before the Lyncroft Academy Bus Station, take a right onto Half Mile Road. Take it to the end, then turn left onto Front Street. The Grover House will be about three blocks down, after Sterling Court. You will see a large sign on your right, and there is parking in front.

Route 35 South: After the bridge into Red Bank, follow the signs to Front Street. Go West on Front Street. The Grover House will be about three blocks after Half Mile Road (the first light), after Sterling Court. You will see a large sign on your right, and there is parking in front.

DIRECTIONS to the EATONTOWN LIBRARY
33 Broad Street (= Route 71), Eatontown

BROAD STREET is parallel to Route 36, 4 traffic lights north of it.

Parkway: Ex.105 = Rte. 36 East – left (via jughandle) at Route 35 North – take a right at 4^th light (= Broad St.= Route 71) – the Library is on your left, before the fire station. Turn into the lot.

Route 18: Same directions as from the Parkway. The Exit is 13B (in both directions).

Route 35 North: Turn right at the 4^th light after the Route 36 crossing (=Broad or Route 71), go less than half a block. The center is on the right, before the Fire Station. Turn into the lot.

Route 35 South: There’s a very strange jughandle to follow when taking a left onto Broad St = Route 71 – watch for the Library on your right, before the Fire Station.

Route 195: If you come on Route 195 East, turn right onto Route 18 or continue to Route 35 – follow those directions.

DIRECTIONS to the EATONTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER,
72 Broad Street, Eatontown:

Follow the same direction(s) as to the Library, but
continue another half block east, on BROAD STREET.
The building is on your right. Turn into the lot.

DIRECTIONS to the BELMAR ARTS COUNCIL,
608 River Road (corner 7^th Avenue), Belmar

At the north side of 7th Avenue, between Main Street and the Railroad tracks is a large parking lot, shared by the Police Station.

From the Parkway (and Route 195 East): Turn from the Parkway onto Route 195 East (Exit 98) – then turn onto Route 35 north – take a right onto 8th Avenue – then a left onto Main Street – another left onto 7th Avenue – look for the large parking lot of the Belmar Arts Council on your right before the Railroad tracks.

From Main Street South: Turn right onto 7th Avenue – then look for the Arts Council on your right, before the RR tracks.

From the Turnstile Coffee Bar (and Main Street North): Leave the Turnstile Lot while taking a left onto Route 71 – then a right onto 16th Avenue – a left onto Main Street North – another left onto 7th Avenue – then look for the Belmar Arts Council on your right before the RR tracks.

DIRECTIONS for the
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of ASBURY PARK
906 Grand Avenue, Asbury Park
(this was our first venue – it was Pastor Sony's church)

Grand Avenue is parallel to the ocean, four blocks inland. The church has a large lot, accessible from 2nd Avenue. There is also street parking.

You can enter the building from the parking lot if the middle door is open. If not, come around to the main entrance in the front. The handicap ramp is there. Inside, there are three steps from the sanctuary to the room behind, where we will be.

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Past and Present Monthly Fliers

FROM 2020

During Covid, we changed our format.
We still meet every first Sunday, 2-4 pm,
at the Grover House,
930 West Front Street,
Middletown (see Directions).

However, there are two EXCEPTIONS.
IN MAY, we join the members of the Navesink Maritime group
in their “OLD MONMOUTH” Open House.
Times are Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm and
Sunday, 12 noon – 5 pm.
Everyone can join in, whenever possible,
and everyone who feels like it gets a chance to sing.

Another exception is made IN SEPTEMBER,
when we cancel our Circle meeting
due to our ANNUAL FESTIVAL.
The next FESTIVAL is planned for August 31 and September 1.

FROM MID-2019

MORE CIRCLE OF SONGS PHOTOGRAPHS 2015-12-06 At the First United Methodist Church of Asbury Park Photo: Ingrid Heldt
Sharleen and her Cactus Flowers – They Met at our Circle of Song Photo: Ingrid Heldt	The Day When Our Circle Competed with Eatontown’s Book Sale Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Song Circle at Eatontown’s Library Photo: Ingrid Heldt
Martin Swinger – Does Anyone Need a Pete Seeger Lookalike ? – 43^rd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Jen Christensen, Mara Levine and The Solidarity Singers – 43rd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Tommy and Abby Anton – 43^rd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt
Our Garvey, Pete's Banjo, at our 42nd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Ninetta Nappi and Barry Kersch at our 42nd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Vendors at our 42nd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt
Isis Breaking into a Dance at our 42nd Annual Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Sharleen Leahey and the Cactus Flowers - a group formed during our Circles of Song Photo: Ingrid Heldt	Rosemary Wright and her Storytellers Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Rosemary Wright and her Storytellers on Circle of Song Stage Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Linda Phillips, David Rosenberg, Lily Rose, Sharleen Leahey and Rob Lincoln on Circle of Song Stage Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Diane Doolittle, Linda Phillips and the Circle Audience Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Jan Christensen – one of Pete Seeger’s Sloop Singers who has been with us more for than thirty years Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Isis Ra with her movie star great grandson Elias Washington Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – Bob Vinick doing the Sound for Ingrid and Dale on the Circle Stage Photo: David Rosenberg
2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – The Weeklings featuring Glen Burtnik on the Killian Stage Photo: Ingrid Heldt		2016-09-10 NJF Clearwater 41^stFestival – The audience at the Killian Stage Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival: Lydia Adams Davis and Ingrid Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival David Rosenberg, Tommy and Abby Anton, Lilly Rosenberg, Elliot Stephen Cohen and Ingrid Photo: Unknown	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival Ingrid, Lydia Adams Davis, Sharleen Leahey Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival Sharleen Leahey, Linda Phillips and Circle ‘Round the Sun Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival Bob Killian at the Circle of Song Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival Sky of Sky Solar with the Sound Crew, Mark and Chick Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – Tommy and Abby Anton Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival James Durst and Madhumita Chakrabartti Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival Circle of Song Stage during rain shower Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival Circle of Song Stage Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival Diane Doolittle, Sharleen Leahey, Ingrid, Linda Phillips Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40th Festival – Judith Bernz and Jesse, dancing Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – Bob Mecklenburger, Rosemary Wright, Salle Neal and Linda Phillips Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – Judith Bernz, Isis Ra, Dale Lakata and Ingrid Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-09-13 Lydia Adams Davis with Tommy and Abby Anton Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – with Dale Lakata, Judith Bernz, Ingrid and Isis Ra Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – with Mike Taylor Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2015-09-12 NJF Clearwater 40^thFestival – with Lydia Adams Davis and Jan Christensen Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2015-06-07 Circle of Song with Jim Crawford Photo: Sally Neal	2014-08-02 Circle of Song with Sharleen Leahey Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-08-02 Circle of Song with Sharleen Leahey Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-10-05 Circle of Song with Cosby Gibson Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2014-10-05 Cosby Gibson and Ingrid Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2015-04-12 Circle of Song with Dennis Do No Ugh ! Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-09-13 “Under the Shoprite Truck Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-09-13 Dennis MC Do No Ugh ! performing under the truck Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-09-13 Judith Bernz and 92-year-old Mike Taylor underneath the truck Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-09-13 James Durst Singing “Wasn’t that a Mighty Storm” just before it came down Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-09-13 Diane Doolittle on flute. She and Bill Doerge backed us up Photo: Mark Lamhut	2014-09-13 Our Circle of Song Audience Braving the Storms Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-09-13 NJF Clearwater 39^thFestival – Jim Crawford Photo: Mark Lamhut	2014-09-13 NJF Clearwater 39^thFestival – Madhumita Chakrabartti and James Durst Photo: Mark Lamhut	2014-09-13 NJF Clearwater 39^thFestival – Cosby Gibson Photo: Mark Lamhut
2014-07-06 Circle of Song with Cynthia Summers Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-08-03 Edie Toussaint at Circle of Song – she was Gigi Goldstein’s best friend whose songs I recorded and cover Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-08-03 Circle of Song with Sally Neal Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-08-03 Group Photo with Rob Lincoln Photo: Courtesy Elliot Stephen Cohen	2014-08-03 Circle of Song with Rob Lincoln Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2014-03-01 Circle of Song with Sharleen Leahey Photo: Courtesy Elliot Stephen Cohen
2014-06-01 Circle of Song with Lydia Adams Davis Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-05-04 Circle of Song in Belmar with Bob Mecklenburger Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-06-01 Lydia Adams Davis at Circle of Song Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2014-05-04 Circle of Song at the Belmar Arts Council Photo: Chris Krebs	2014-09-13 Circle of Song at the Belmar Arts Council with Bob Mecklenburger Photo: Chris Krebs	2012-02-21 Carl Croce and Joe Petraitis Photo: Larry Stockel
2014-02-02 Seventy People Came to Commemorate Pete Seeger Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-02-02 Seventy People Came to Commemorate Pete Seeger Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2014-02-02 Seventy People Came to Commemorate Pete Seeger Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2013-10-06 Circle of Song with Sally Neal Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2013-10-06 Spontaneous dance at Circle of Song Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2013-10-06 Isis Ra, Linda Phillips, Bill Doerge and Red Cloud at Circle of Song Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen
2013-09-15 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival in Long Branch – Circle of Song with James Durst, Sharleen Leahey, Linda Phillips and Ingrid Heldt Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen	2013-08 Practicing with Spook Handy, Ingrid Heldt, Pete Seeger and Michael Scolnick in Beacon, NY Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohe	2013-09-15 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival in Long Branch - Finale Photo: Elliot Stephen Cohen

2012-01-21 Circle of Song with Joe Iantosca Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2012 Circle of Song Performers on Main Festival Stage by Chris Kaefer	2011-11-18 Circle of Song with Arlon Bennet Photo: Ingrid Heldt
2011-08 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival - Mara Levine and Arlon Bennet Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2011-08 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival - April Iorio of April Mae & Catfish Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2011-08 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival - Dave Fecca of April Mae & Catfish Photo: Ingrid Heldt

2010 08 Emily Grove and Mike Meade at the 2010 Festival Photo: Ingrid Heldt	2010 08 NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival: Circle of Song Performers on the Main Festival Stage Photo: Ingrid Held	2010 08 Thomas Wesley Stern at the 2010 Festival Photo: Kacie Baker
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