February Sky
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February Sky is traditional singer and Celtic guitarist Phil Cooper with songwriter and singer Susan Urban.
Traditional, Modern and Original Folk & Celtic Music with Guitar, Cittern, Mountain Dulcimer, Banjo & Percussion - donation link: https://www.paypal.me/februaryskymusic Phil sings and plays his own arrangements of traditional songs and tunes on six string guitar and cittern, and he also interprets a number of carefully chosen songs from the best of modern Folk song writers, as well as backing Susan up on her songs. Susan Urban is a writer of story songs and humorous "slice of life" songs. She accompanies her songs, plus Phil’s songs and tunes, on six and 12-string guitar, six string banjo, mountain dulcimer, and hand percussion instruments. After playing in other bands for decades, in 2007 Phil and Susan formed the duo “February Sky.” Their performing experience as a duo has convinced them that a combination of old and new songs addressing the widest possible range of human experience, complete with vocal harmony, intricate instrumentation and thoughtful stagecraft, is very appealing to Folk audiences. The debut of their first full-length album, self-titled “February Sky,” brings home the idea that Folk Music is a continuum - whether the songs are self-penned or have a history thousands of years old, as long as they speak to the human condition and the human heart, they carry on the Folk Music tradition.
Here's the February Sky performance schedule for August - September.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 - TO BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AND BROADCAST VIA ZOOM
MUSIC FOR SERVICE for Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We will meet IN PERSON at 1104 W. Washington, Suite A, Marquette, MI, 11AM, Topic TBA, with our Rev. Denise Tracy. See https://www.facebook.com/MqtUU or www.mqtuu.org for updates. If you want to attend remotely, email [email protected] or see www.mqtuu.org for a link to the Zoom meeting.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
MACKINAW RENDEZVOUS AND TRADE FAIR, Mackinaw City, MI, 7 p.m., Conkling Heritage Park, see https://www.facebook.com/mackinawrendezvous/
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, 10:30AM, Topic TBA, in person and to be broadcast via Microsoft Teams, see http://www.uujoliet.org for information, 3401 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL, 815-744-9020 or [email protected]
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 15-16
SUGAR ISLAND FESTIVAL, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Noon each day, see http://www.sugarislandfest.org
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, 10:30AM, “Humans Wrote the Bible, God Wrote Life - The Teachings of John Shelby Spong,” in person and online, see https://peoriauuchurch.org/ for information, 3000 W Richwoods Blvd, Peoria, IL, (309) 688-5608 or [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 6-7
FOX VALLEY FOLK MUSIC & STORYTELLING FESTIVAL, Main stage and workshops, times TBA, www.fvfs.org is the easy-to-remember Link for Info.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
UP PAGANFEST, 85 West 12 Mile Road, Dafter, MI. February Sky time TBA on Saturday, but definitely consider coming for the rest of the event, see https://up-paganfest.square.site/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094095180778 for more information.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - TO BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AND BROADCAST VIA ZOOM
SERVICE for Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation, We will meet IN PERSON at 1104 W. Washington, Suite A, Marquette. “In Sweet Fields of Autumn - A Second Harvest Celebration (Mabon or Harvest Home).” a partnership between our minister, Rose Riedel, and February Sky. See https://www.facebook.com/MqtUU or www.mqtuu.org for updates. If you want to attend remotely, email [email protected] or see www.mqtuu.org for a link to the Zoom meeting.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM AND PRESENTED IN PERSON
SERVICE at Park Forest Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 10:00 AM Central Time, “Building a Cathedral or Cutting Up a Stone,” 70 Sycamore, Park Forest, IL, 708-481-5339 or [email protected], see www.uuccpf.org for connection information.
05/17/2026
Here is a picture of our dilute tortie, Ariel. Hard to believe that we’ve had her for 10 years now. She hasn’t aged a day! She was a feral rescue, and we did not see her for a month after we brought her home. Then she came out and turned into a petting slut. She especially likes her dad, Phil.
03/17/2026
Here is the gig list for the rest of March 2026.
MARCH 20-21
2026 OHIO VALLEY GATHERING, Family Worship Center, Carrollton, Kentucky (Halfway between Louisville and Cincinnati), short concert set on Friday evening, plus workshops on Saturday: Song Accompaniment on Mountain Dulcimer plus Sing Along; Celtic Guitar: Songs & Tunes, Lead & Rhythm in DADGAD, times TBA, info at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ohiovalleygathering/
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
SERVICE FOR Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County, “Come and Sing a Simple Song of Freedom," in person only, 10:00 AM, 95 N Jefferson St, 317/ 745-9978, [email protected] or see https://uucchc.org/
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY, a round robin concert for Women’s History Month with Trillium (https://www.trilliumtheband.com), 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 6:00 p.m. Central, 5:00 p.m. Mountain, 4:00 p.m. Pacific. TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM. We are running the concert exclusively on Zoom so that it will be an event where people can come early or stay a little bit late to chat or to talk with the musicians (the Zoom room will open 30 minutes before official show time). We can accept up to 100 participants. We will no longer require registration. Direct Zoom link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89997032676
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Website is still down. Here is the February list (plus March 1).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - TO BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AND BROADCAST VIA ZOOM
MUSIC FOR SERVICE for Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We will meet IN PERSON at 1104 W. Washington, Suite A, Marquette, MI. “Love at the Center,” What does our UU theology teach us about centering love in our values and actions? With our Minister, Rose Riedel, See https://www.facebook.com/MqtUU or www.mqtuu.org for updates. If you want to attend remotely, email [email protected] or see www.mqtuu.org for a link to the Zoom meeting.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
STORIES OF LOVE - TRIUMPHANT AND TRAGIC, OLD AND NEW, a Post-Valentine’s Day Round Robin Concert with Debra Cowan, a superb singer of traditional and contemporary songs drawing from her long history of singing in the folk tradition (https://debracowan.com/), 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 4:00 p.m. Central, 3:00 p.m. Mountain, 2:00 p.m. Pacific. TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM. We are running the concert exclusively on Zoom so that it will be an event where people can come early or stay a little bit late to chat or to talk with the musicians (the Zoom room will open 30 minutes before official show time). We can accept up to 100 participants. We will no longer require registration. Direct Zoom link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84395699328
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
TWO WAY STREET COFFEE HOUSE, in person and live-streamed, 8 PM, see Two Way Street website or page for details, 1047 Curtiss, Downers Grove, IL, call 630/969-9720 or [email protected], www.twowaystreet.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
CITY NEWS CAFE, Chicago, IL, 2 P.M. - 4 P.M. (NOTE LATER TIME than OUR earlier City News performances), 4018 N Cicero Ave, 773-545-7377 or see https://www.facebook.com/CityNewsCafe/
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 - TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM AND PRESENTED IN PERSON
SERVICE at Park Forest Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 10:00 AM Central Time, “Everyday Heroes," on people who may not be famous or well-known, but nonetheless make a difference in the world. 70 Sycamore, Park Forest, IL, 708-481-5339 or [email protected], see www.uuccpf.org for connection information.
01/19/2026
In light of our website being lost (we should have another one soon), here is what we are up to in January and February. Updates may happen.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
CONCERT sponsored by the Geneva Park District, Geneva, IL, 7PM, Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 South James Street, 630/232-4542, www.genevaparks.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, 10:30AM, "I’m Gonna Wear Red Today – The Spirituality and Aesthetics of Clothing", in person and to be broadcast via Microsoft Teams, see http://www.uujoliet.org for information, 3401 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL, 815-744-9020 or [email protected]
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
“The Places We Call Home - Where, Why and How”, a virtual house concert in the round with New Orleans-based Gina Forsyth, an award-winning singer/songwriter who is known for her wizardry on fiddle and guitar. (https://www.ginaforsyth.com/). 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 6:00 p.m. Central, 5:00 p.m. Mountain, 4:00 p.m. Pacific. TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM. We are running the concert exclusively on Zoom so that it will be an event where people can come early or stay a little bit late to chat or to talk with the musicians (the Zoom room will open 30 minutes before official show time). We can accept up to 100 participants. We will no longer require registration. Direct Zoom link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87182470228
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - TO BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AND BROADCAST VIA ZOOM
MUSIC FOR SERVICE for Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We will meet IN PERSON at 1104 W. Washington, Suite A, Marquette, MI - “Now OId Winter Starts to Fail” (on the Festival of Imbolc), with our Minister, Rose Riedel, See https://www.facebook.com/MqtUU or www.mqtuu.org for updates. If you want to attend remotely, email [email protected] or see www.mqtuu.org for a link to the Zoom meeting.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
TWO WAY STREET COFFEE HOUSE, in person and live-streamed, 8 PM, see Two Way Street website or page for details, 1047 Curtiss, Downers Grove, IL, call 630/969-9720 or [email protected], www.twowaystreet.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
CITY NEWS CAFE, Chicago, IL, 2 P.M. - 4 P.M., (NOTE LATER TIME than earlier City News performances), 4018 N Cicero Ave, 773-545-7377 or see https://www.facebook.com/CityNewsCafe/
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 - TO BE BROADCAST VIA ZOOM AND PRESENTED IN PERSON
SERVICE at Park Forest Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 10:00 AM Central Time, Topic TBD," 70 Sycamore, Park Forest, IL, 708-481-5339 or [email protected], see www.uuccpf.org for connection information.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church February Office Hours: Admin onsite Tues & Thurs. 1:00- 5:00pm Call Mon. through Fri. 10:00am - 10:00pm with questions, to schedule a rental, or to make an appointment to view the building. Please call in advance so we know to expect you.
Appearances through August 2025. Web page is being rebuilt, stay tuned.
THURSDAY, JULY 31
MACKINAW RENDEZVOUS AND TRADE FAIR, Mackinaw City, MI, 7 p.m., Conkling Heritage Park, see https://www.facebook.com/mackinawrendezvous/
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, 10:30AM, Come and Sing a Simple Song of Freedom" in person and to be broadcast via Microsoft Teams, see http://www.uujoliet.org for information, 3401 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL, 815-744-9020 or [email protected]
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 9-10
SUGAR ISLAND FESTIVAL, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Noon each day, see http://www.sugarislandfest.org
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
WILDFIRE CONCERT at Wildfire Prairie Park, 6 PM, 3826 N Taylor Rd, Hanna City, IL 61536, see https://wildlifeprairiepark.org/
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, 10:30AM, “The Lamp Beside the Golden Door: Welcoming Immigrants to America,” in person and online, see https://peoriauuchurch.org/ for information, 3000 W Richwoods Blvd, Peoria, IL, (309) 688-5608 or [email protected]
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
TO BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AND BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK
SERVICE for Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty, Clarklake, MI, “Quite Early Morning - The Life, Times and Music of Pete Seeger,” 11AM Eastern Time, 2231 Jefferson Rd, 517-529-4221. See https://libertyuu.org/ for updates. If you want to attend remotely, go to https://www.facebook.com/LibertyUU/
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
MODELTOWN FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET, 3-6PM, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 North Pine Street, Gwinn, MI, link to market page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091270344124
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
PIONEER DAY, Wildlife Prairie Park, Hanna City, IL, 1-3 PM, 3826 N. Taylor Road, 309-676-0998 or see https://wildlifeprairiepark.org/
07/13/2025
February Sky finally has a Bandcamp page! Here is the link to the page where you can sample and buy cuts from all of our recordings:
February Sky February Sky is traditional singer and Celtic guitarist Phil Cooper with songwriter and singer Susan Urban. Phil and Susan present a combination of old and new songs addressing the widest possible range of experience, complete with vocal harmony, intricate instrumentation on multiple instruments and...
08/21/2024
Local Event: Sunday Worship Services at Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation Check out the latest community post from one of your neighbors. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)
07/21/2024
Join us Thursday at the Modeltown Farmers and Artisans Market in Gwinn, MI!
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