First Friday Coffeehouse will kickoff the new year with the return of Zoe Mulford on Jan. 1. The venue is located at Trinity Orchard House midway between Martinsburg and Shepherdstown. Doors open for social time and sign-up at 7 p.m. The feature will be preceded by a one hour-open mic where performers have an opportunity to show their stufff in one of the area`s premier listening rooms.

A set by songwriter Zoe Mulford is like a small volume of short storiesevocative, beautifully crafted, and endlessly varied. Whether her starting point is a polar expedition in 1845 or a Greyhound bus ride in 2007, her vivid storytelling and down-to-earth humor take listeners on an enjoyable journey. This warm and engaging performer backs her clear voice with guitar or claw-hammer banjo, drawing on the traditional music of the U.S. and the British Isles to make sense of the modern world. Once a D.C. local, she now lives in Manchester, England and tours on both sides of the Atlantic.

First Friday is well-known for musical excellence and an attentive audience. Performers representing a wide variety of roots genres come from all over the region and the United States. They perform in a candle-lit atmosphere with an excellent sound system and engineer. Several artists have commented that the venue is one of the best they have played at and an excellent opportunity for showcasing their talents. First Friday Coffeehouse is a not-for-profit venture in partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church in Martinsburg. All proceeds go to feature artists and to help pay operating expenses.

Enjoy a great evening of music and fellowship. Snacks and refreshments served. Trinity Orchard House is located at 4599 Shepherdstown Rd. (Rt. 45), Martinsburg. A $10 donation per person is requested. For more information, contact Steve Warner at 304-676-4422.