(TEANECK, NJ)  -- On Friday, March 1st, the Ethical Brew concert series presents two inspiring singer/songwriters, Ellis Delaney and Katherine Rondeau as they bring their talents together on behalf of First Friends of NJ & NY, a non-profit organization providing friendship, compassion and hope to immigrants and asylum-seekers detained at five detention centers in New Jersey.

The winner of numerous awards and honors including the Grassy Hill New Folk Contest in 2013, Ellis Delaney, an indie/folk musician who goes by the singular name “Ellis,” has been recognized both for her songwriting skills and engaging performances that resonate keenly with audiences on an emotional level. She has claimed “audience favorite” honors at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Moab Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.  Ellis has also been a repeat guest on A Prairie Home Companion.

Although she tours nationally more than one hundred dates each year, Ellis continues to retain a devoted following in Minneapolis where she was voted Best Musician for five consecutive years and named Best Musical Artist by readers of the Minnesota Women’s Press.  She is notable for her warm, open-hearted persona, uplifting lyrics, and masterful vocals as well as her irrepressible smile and signature laugh that invites her audiences to join in the fun.

Opening the event, special guest performer, Katherine Rondeau is a New Jersey native whose roots-inspired sound is an organic blend drawing inspiration from folk, blues and mountain music. She is a gutsy, full-throttle singer who burst onto the Philadelphia music scene in 2015 and has quickly been making her mark with memorable performances at venues and folk festivals throughout the tristate area.  Steeped in Southern grit and style her just released CD, “Unfortunate Point of View” has garnered much critical acclaim and was one of the top-played releases among folk DJs on the charts in January 2019.

First Friends was founded in 1997 by a group from Jesuit Refugee Services in partnership with volunteers from Community Services of the Archdiocese of Newark. First Friends grew out of recognition that people held in detention in New Jersey were in dire need of pastoral and social services. The Charity provides vital support to those who are in detention and cut off from the outside world, in the form of friendly visitation, advocacy and support services for those preparing for asylum hearings.  Since its inception, First Friends has grown in both its professional staff and volunteers to meet the needs of all five of the detention centers located in New Jersey.

Now in its sixth season, Ethical Brew is a live music venue dedicated to serving up a quality blend of acoustic music and social action in an intimate and welcoming environment.  

Located at the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County in Teaneck, NJ, a portion of the proceeds from each show is donated to a humanitarian organization designated by the performers.

Past beneficiaries include WhyHunger, Edeyo Foundation (Haiti), Heifer International, NJ350, Doctors Without Borders, Musicians on Call, City Harvest and many more.

Tickets and additional information including video clips can be found at www.ethicalbrew.org.  Advance tickets are $22.50 adult & $15 student /$28 at the door.  Concert starts at 8:00pm. Doors open at 7:30pm. The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County is located at 687 Larch Avenue, Teaneck, NJ.