FOLK HERO: John Roberts returns to Princeton for a concert at Christ Congregation Church on Friday, September 16. (Photo by Mary Barker)

John Roberts opens the Princeton Folk Music Society’s (PFMS) 56th season on Friday, September 16 at 8 p.m. at Christ Congregational Church, 50 Walnut Lane.

Roberts is familiar to PFMS audiences, having appeared most recently with Debra Cowan, and on several occasions in the “Nowell Sing We Clear” Christmas Special. His concerts are a celebration of folk traditions, with yarns and tunes enhanced by singing along.

Roberts is best known as a singer of folksongs from the British Isles. He has been singing traditional music since the 1960s and has a large repertoire of traditional British songs, including sea shanties, broadside ballads, and pub tunes. Usually, he accompanies himself on concertina or banjo, but may sing a cappella when he feels it fits the song. He can give the background of any song he performs, often telling the listener the circumstances from which it might have been written and from whom the song was collected

Tickets at the door are $25 ($20 members, $10 students ages 12–22; $5 children 11 and under). Masks and proof of full vaccination will be required for admission. A livestream also is available. For more information, visit Princetonfolk.org.