The stage setup before the upcoming night performance at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. The venue has kept much of its charm and history out on display from when it was first opened, including this specialty made quilt. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Ramona LaBarre smiles at the bar inside Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. “There is just a real type of energy here,” LaBarre said. “Some of us refer to it as magic.” (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Godfrey Daniels’ shows off its “history wall” in Bethlehem, Pa. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. Godfrey Daniels opened up its doors in 1976 as a small and eclectic venue on the South Side but has since made its way to being an internationally acclaimed club on the “folk circuit.” (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Names of Godfrey Daniels’ supporters are written on a podium which sits in the front space of the venue in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Ramona LaBarre said she associates Godfrey Daniels’ longevity with the support of the local Bethlehem community, which has been coming around since its opening. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Godfrey Daniels’ stage set up right before a performance by Bakithi Kumalo & The South African All-Stars in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Godfrey Daniels celebrates the intimate connection between the performers and audience. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Members of Bakithi Kumalo & The South African All-Stars enjoy a dinner before their performance at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. The band ordered food from Nawab, a local Indian restaurant on the South Side. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Hand sanitizers and disposable face masks are available for concert-goers at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. To protect the performers as well as the volunteers and workers, Godfrey Daniels requires patrons to show their vaccine card or a negative covid test to enter. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Godfrey Daniels’ sound person works behind the scenes at a concert in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Godfrey Daniels relies on support from its membership program and volunteers who dedicate their time so Godfrey Daniels can continue to be a community resource. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Bakithi Kumalo (left) and Morris Goldberg (right) during one of their sets at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Goldberg, a longtime friend of Kumalo, performed several solos on the alto saxophone during the set. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
Ramona LaBarre, managing director of Godfrey Daniels, stands alongside musician Bakithi Kumalo inside the venue in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Kumalo played bass on Paul Simon’s 1986 album “Graceland” yet loves coming back to perform for the crowd at Godfrey Daniels. (J24/Ella Morrissey)
The entertainment sector was one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. Godfrey Daniels, a small but intimate venue on East Fourth Street in Bethlehem is embracing the new normal.
Ramona LaBarre, managing director at Godfrey Daniels, began volunteering at the venue in the late ‘80s. From the start, LaBarre said she could tell Godfrey Daniels, a listening room nurturing traditional and contemporary folk music, was a special place.
“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” LaBarre said.
Godfrey Daniels’ last show before Covid-19 was on March 8, 2020. During the last year and a half, they relied on using StreamYard to produce live streams of artists’ performances. LaBarre said she hopes that in the future, Godfrey Daniels will be able to host both in-person shows as well as do livestreams to attract more people.
“The beauty of the livestreams is that you can bring in an artist from anywhere in the world and it also expands the audience,” LaBarre said.
Godfrey Daniels began their new season on Sept. 10 and recently welcomed Bakithi Kumalo & The South African All-Stars to perform in front of a capacity crowd on Oct. 2.
Kumalo, who is best known for playing bass on Paul Simon’s 1986 album “Graceland”, said he loves coming back to Godfrey Daniels to play with his band.
“There are very big names who play in giant theaters but they love being in a small space with a small crowd,” LaBarre said. “There is just something about that connection.”
Godfrey Daniels received more donations in 2020 than they had ever earned in previous years thanks to support from community members wanting to return to live music.
Currently, Godfrey Daniels has had to lower their capacity from 90 to 60 for each show and also require patrons to be vaccinated or show a negative Covid-19 test taken 48 hours prior to the show.
As a nonprofit corporation, Godfrey Daniels relies on its membership program and volunteers to keep them going. LaBarre believes that the success and longevity of Godfrey Daniels for years to come relies on getting more young people, especially Lehigh students, involved with the venue.
