Live at Café Wha! | Sunday, February 16, 2025 | 6 PM
New York, NY – On Sunday, February 16, Café Wha! will host The Mayor of MacDougal Street: A Celebration of Dave Van Ronk’s Music, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary folk icon whose wit, mentorship, and musical genius helped define the Greenwich Village folk scene.
Often called the “Mayor of MacDougal Street,” Van Ronk was more than a performer—he was a storyteller, a mentor, and a bridge between the past and the future of American folk music. The evening will feature performances, stories, and reflections from an exceptional lineup of artists who were inspired by Van Ronk’s legacy.
The event, presented by Fabio Fantuzzi with David Massengill and Elijah Wald and a host of
special guests.
Van Ronk seemed ancient, battle-tested. Every night I felt like I was sitting at the feet
of a timeworn monument. (…) Later, when I would record my first album, half the
cuts on it were renditions of songs that Van Ronk did. (…) He was big, sky high and I
looked up to him. He came from the land of giants. — Bob Dylan
Performers:
Elijah Wald – Grammy-winning music historian, singer-songwriter, and author of The Mayor of MacDougal Street and Dylan Goes Electric! Wald, a close friend and mentee of Van Ronk.
David Massengill – Folk singer-songwriter and virtuoso on guitar and Appalachian dulcimer.
Massengill, Massengill’s songs have been recorded by the likes of Joan Baez, The Roches, and Jack Hardy. Dave, who was a mentor for him, said that David is one of the very few who can “take the dull out of dulcimer.”
Fabio Fantuzzi – Academic, curator, singer-songwriter, and author of various books including Bob Dylan and the Arts and Norman Raeben (1901-1978): The Wandering Painting, Fabio has written books, essays, and albums infused with folk and blues traces and Village stories.
Many special great guests, including Christine Lavin, Willie Nininger, Terri Thal, Bert Lee,
Ramblin’ Dan Stevens, Mia Vongsavang will contribute their voices and interpretations of Van Ronk’s music.
Event Details:
�� Café Wha! – 115 MacDougal St., New York, NY
�� Sunday, February 16, 2025
�� Doors at 5 PM | Show from 6 PM to 7:45 PM
�� Tickets available at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mayor-of-macdougal-street-a-celebration-of-dave-van-
ronks-music-tickets-1139142157859