Season 3, Show 1, on September 26, 2026
By Sylvia Mallory
Season 3 opened with high drama. Outside, a nor’easter was walloping us as we opened our doors on show night. Inside, the real storm was Mary Fahl. The original voice (and a co-founder) of October Project, singer-songwriter Fahl wowed the audience with her incandescent, earthy contralto and witty storytelling. Thoughts of the wind and rain whipping across the parking lot faded as the crowd locked into the groove.
Accompanied by the atmospheric piano and synthesizer of Andrew Carroll, Fahl commanded the stage. She mixed heartfelt October Project classics like “Return to Me” with deeply personal originals such as “Paolo” and “Roll Down Your Window.” Rounding out the playlist were covers of timeless tunes that included The Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday,” The Mamas & The Papas’ “Got a Feelin’,” and Neil Young’s “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.”
After two sets and a soaring rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” Fahl got a well-deserved standing ovation. She capped her performance with Paul Simon’s “The Sound of Silence,” its lyrics providing a haunting cautionary message for our times.
We were pleased at how smoothly the show went for this first performance in our temporary home at the John Glenn Middle School. Patrons enjoyed the superb sound and the auditorium’s comfortable seating. Our remaining fall concerts—Grain Thief on October 24 and Hayley Reardon on November 21—will also be staged at John Glenn, and we hope to see you there!