Albert Hall celebrates the PCS 50th Anniversary

On Saturday, April 26th, the Pinelands Cultural Society (PCS), the non-profit that runs the Albert Music Hall, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special show honoring its rich musical and cultural heritage. The event will take place at the Hall, where attendees can enjoy an evening of stories from the past as well as five live musical performances.

Since its founding on April 20, 1975, the PCS has been committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Pinelands—including its music, literature, legends, and historical artifacts. One of the organization’s earliest goals was to raise funds for the creation of 'Albert Hall', a dedicated venue to showcase the region’s unique music and cultural traditions. That vision became a reality with the opening of the current hall in 1997.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with the doors opening at 5 p.m. The evening will start off with a presentation celebrating the rich history of the PCS, followed by live performances from five musical acts. The lineup includes: Pete Curry, an original Homeplace musician; Jackson Pines, a local folk band that has revived and released local songs including those of PCS founder Merce Ridgway Jr. and his father; Katie Sherwood Eaton, daughter of PCS co-founder Janice Sherwood, who grew up attending the music jams and concert with her mother; Cranberry Jam, who blend Old Time, Traditional and Folk music; and traditional Bluegrass band, The Last Whippoorwill.

A clip of Janice Sherwood describing the start of the Pinelands Cultural Society can be seen here:

The Pickin' Shed will be open for jamming throughout the event, where guests are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in the music or simply listen in.

The Food Booth will be serving several hot food options as well as a wide selection of beverages and desserts. The Gift Booth will be open and there will be a 50/50 drawing.

Albert Music Hall is located at 131 Wells Mills Road (Rt 532) in Waretown, New Jersey. Admission is $6, or $1 for kids under 12. The venue is cash only. Parking is free and the Hall is wheelchair accessible. For more information about the event and the PCS, visit https://alberthall.org. You can also view the video below to learn more about the history of the Pinelands Cultural Society and Albert Music Hall.

*Albert Music Hall is run by the Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society (PCS), an all-volunteer, non-profit-501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation of the Pinelands Cultural Heritage. Since 1974, visitors and musicians have gathered at the hall for live Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Americana, Old Timey & Pinelands Music and to jam in the Pickin' Shed every Saturday night. You can read more about Albert Music Hall's history and continue the tradition by visiting this treasure of New Jersey.