Remembering Esther Halpern

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Remembering Esther Halpern

POSTED: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 5:47 PM

Filed Under: In Memoriam | Music

Halpern, posing for a 1998 article in CP.

Man, oh man, in entertainment timing is everything. Esther Halpern timed her exit just right. Days before the Folksong Society reunion of her legendary acoustic music incubator, the Gilded Cage, she has gotten away from us.

Gilded Cage Reunion Sunday, October 11 - 7pm
Free admission! The Elkins Estate - 750 Ashbourne Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027

The Gilded Cage was the historic venue on South 21st Street that provided all the early influence the Philadelphia Folksong Society needed to get rolling. Run by Esther and Ed Halpern from 1956 to 1969, this magical place hosted the beatniks of the late 50's to the hippies and protestors who stood tall for civil rights throughout the 60's. It was also the training grounds for many area folk performers, including Dick Weissman, Gordon Bok, Jerry Ricks, Jim Croce, and Saul Broudy. According to folk specialist Mike Miller, "Everybody, who was there, wants to be there again. They want to feel that feeling, if only for an evening." Join him and other surprise guests as the Philadelphia Folksong Society kicks off its 2009/10 season by traveling back to a time when the folk revival took Philadelphia by storm.

Look out for guest appearances by some of the Cage's most beloved artists! This FREE event will celebrate where PFS has been and help us look forward to the future.

Esther loved to sing the blues which she did more or less nightly for years in the back room of the Gilded Cage.' But I can tell you, what really brought the pledges during fund drives at XPN was her digging into her own past, songs in Yiddish and her reminiscences about growing up without a lot of financial resources, but plenty of love. Then the calls would roll in, people who loved to hear their own storied told.

A reissue comp from 2002.

As long as I knew Esther, love was a very big deal. She loved Ed and made it clear to those around her. It knocked the stuffing out of her when he died several years ago. She was passionate in general, loved life and people, especially folk music people. The Gilded Cage was where people conspired to found' the Folksong Society just over 50 years ago. Untold numbers of musicians would come and pick, just immerse themselves in acoustic music.

What a presence she was, tiny and bursting with every emotion. If you were on her good side life was roses, but if she had a difference with you, well, she wasn't budging. Esther took pride in her accomplishments. She didn't mind bragging that she saved the Folk Festival after a disastrous year in the early 70s when a tropical storm washed away all the profits. She told the decision makers that if she were in charge of merch ' tchotchkes I think she said at the time ' well, she'd be able to pull them out of the red. That became Society Sales which morphed from a tiny stand to a huge' tent of Smiling Banjo branded items. Emotion reigned there as well. Folks who worked for her will tell you she was a little general, my-way-or-the-highway. Most found that her devoted friendship was worth being in the presence of an that energy which could quickly change course.

Two options for those who want to remember Esther and comfort her family. First, the traditional observances will be Sunday at 11 a.m. at Goldstein's' 6410 North Broad Street 215 927 5800. The family will also attend the Gilded Cage reunion that same evening, where Esther's passion will be remembered and inspire song one more time.

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Ofra Sharon-Afir

Posted 2009-10-08 16:30:04

Ofra Sharon-Afir This is so sad! Phyllis S. recently wanted me to join her and visit Esther, but she canceled the visit due to her bad hips. Somehow I expected Esther to be with us, forever, and waited for another opportunity to visit her. I was thinking of her a day or two ago, and even mentioned her in one of my Facebook thread about the changing PFS, and how they wronged her by removing her from the BOD when they decided they no longer wanted her input. The PFS will never be the same without Esther. She carried the torch and tried to prevent the changes that would, eventually, be the end of the Folksong society. Maybe it's a blessing that she won't witness it. Her heart would break. How sad for her to have missed the Cage's reunion. Esther have always had perfect timing... Esther lived the PFS founders' dream. We all owe a lot to her. Z"L, Esther. (May her memory be blessed).

Mike Miller

Posted 2009-10-08 23:20:28

Esther was, surely, an important figure in the folk music revival of the early 60's. When she and Ed bought the Cage, they could not have envisioned the boom of popularity that American folk songs would achieve. Esther's style of presenting her songs in dramatic fashion was in stark contrast to the delicate voices of the reigning divas of the day. Her performances were more theater than concert and I was in awe of her skills. Esther always said that I lifted half my act from her. I told her she was nuts. It was more like sixty percent.

Levi Landis

Posted 2009-10-09 11:02:32

I am truly saddened by the loss of Esther. Her music and legacy have helped build PFS into one of the most genuine folk communities in the nation. Folk musicians in Philly and beyond owe a lot to her. She will be missed... Levi Landis, Executive Director Philadelphia Folksong Society

The Cremers

Posted 2009-10-09 19:54:12

We love you, Esther. XO.

Bill Bondar

Posted 2009-10-10 21:00:01

I feel as though my own mother had passed away... I'll always remember hanging out at the Guilded Cage with a date and waiting patiently in the small back room for Esther to show up and sing those wonderful Russian songs. She inspired me to learn to play the guitar. She will be missed.

Ellis Hershman

Posted 2009-10-13 12:19:21

I remember Esther from the Guilded Cage in the early sixties and I had the pleasure of working with her on the Philadelphia Folk Festival for many years. She is the person that directed and tenaciously worked to develope the sales booth at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Her efforts provided significant revenue to the Philadelphia Folksong Society, she had a loyal following of volunteers that worked with her year after year,and she added color to the venue of that event. I am sad at her passing-she was a friend.

Polly Moyer

Posted 2009-10-15 17:57:55

A friend told me about Esther's death, so sad. What a flood of memories that news brought back from my days at the 'Cage' in the mid 60's. Had I know about the Cage reunion ahead of time, I would have considered flying from here in Oregon to attend. Would love to hear more about that event and if there are any pictures that would be a treat. I have to agree that Esther's onion soup was superb but I also loved her brandy soaked cherries served at their yearly holiday party (that I was finally old enough to attend in 66. If anyone can send me any links to blogs or whatever about the reunion, I would welcome them. presby1969@gmail.com Polly Moyer

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