TROUBADOR: Crys Matthews brings an evening of multiple musical styles to Christ Congregational Church on Friday, January 16. (Photo by Kershona Mayo)

On Friday, January 16 at 8 p.m., the Princeton Folk Music Society presents an evening of country, Americana, folk, blues, and bluegrass music with award-winning troubadour Crys Matthews, at Christ Congregational Church, 50 Walnut Lane.

Matthews’ performances are steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. Folk Alliance International has nominated her for its 2025 Artist of the Year Award, and her album Reclamation for the Album of the Year Award.

Matthews believes that its important for a folk musician to support a tradition, to speak for the people in that tradition and to be able to answer the questions: “What is your tradition,” “Who are your people,” and “What is the fabric of you?” She says her mission is “to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice.”

Matthews describes herself as “a preacher’s kid, a Black woman, a butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner who sings social justice music right alongside ‘traditional’ country and Americana music.”

Tickets at the door are $25 ($20 members). Livestream is also available. For more information, visit princetonfolk.org.