Free concert: Knock on Wood, Jan. 27 from 2-3pm

This is not your typical guitar-fiddle folk act.

Howie Newman and Steve Latanision (a.k.a. Knock on Wood) have teamed up to form a lively acoustic duo that plays funny original songs (suitable for all ages) as well as well-known covers, spanning everything from the Beatles to Steely Dan to the Dropkick Murphys. Their varied repertoire features excellent musicianship, tight harmonies and … lots of fun.

Reservations are required. Please click here to register online.

*This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Newbury Town Library.

Newman (guitar, harmonica, vocals) is the songwriter and his engaging manner, which includes G-rated comedy and audience participation, has charmed audiences all over New England. Song topics include Smartphones, the weather, not-so-graceful aging and his wife’s inability to parallel park.

A former sportswriter for the Boston Globe and other newspapers, he will also be performing some of his many baseball songs, including “It’s the End of the Curse and We Know It,” an R.E.M. parody.