Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV

Subject: Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 04:19 PM

For those who live in the DC area and are looking for something to do this coming weekend, please read the attached:

Don't miss the 7th annual Appalachian Heritage Festival in Shepherdstown, WV on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. The Appalachian Heritage Festival is a community-based participatory experience. The singing and jam sessions are open to players (and listeners) of all levels. So please feel free to join in!

All workshops are FREE and open to the public, except for the Friday and Saturday evening concerts which do have an admission fee. FESTIVAL 2-night pass: $20 general public, $15 senior citizens, $10 kids. Individual tickets (single concert): $15 general public, $10 senior citizens, $5 (kids under 18). FREE to Shepherd College students with Rambler ID card and their children. To reserve tickets call 304-876-5497.

Friday, Oct. 4, 2002

8:00 - Frank Center Theater, Shepherd College, West Campus - Showcase Concert hosted by John Lilly featuring 84 year-old WV fiddler Elmer Rich and friends, author Denise Giardina, and Critton Hollow String Band

10:00 -Midnight - Community Jam with Festival Artists at the Mecklenburg Inn on German Street

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002
McMurran Lawn - Jam Sessions throughout the day

11:00-Noon - McMurran Hall, German Street - Community Sing led by Kate Long and John Lilly - Join us in McMurran Hall for an old-time community sing. Music will include old gospel hymns as well as crowd favorites. Feel free to call the tune. All voices welcome!

1:00-2:00 - McMurran Hall, German Street - "Peanut Butter and Jam" Children's Workshop - This special workshop for children will introduce the instruments and musical styles that have contributed to Appalachian music. Kids of all ages and their parents are welcome!

1:00-2:30 - The Great Hall, O'Hurley's General Store - Fiddlers' Workshop with Elmer Rich and Friends - Come hear one of West Virginia's master fiddlers Elmer Rich. At the age of 80, he was "rediscovered" and has since won the Senior Division of many regional fiddle contestants, including the Appalachian String Band Fiddlers' Contest and the Vandalia Gathering in
2000, 2001 and 2002. He is known for his sweet sound and wide range of tunes. If you are a fiddler, bring along your instrument to join in.

2:00-4:00 - McMurran Hall, German Street -Songwriting Workshop with Kate Long and John Lilly- Anyone interested in songwriting is welcome and the workshop is open to all levels of musicians. Both John and Kate are award-winning song-writers who have taught songwriting across the country. John's song "Broken Moon" was a finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriter's Competition at Merlefest in Spring 2002. Kate's witty, moving songs include IBMA Song of the Year, "Who'll Watch the Home-place." Just come to listen and learn or bring along your voice or instrument if you would like to share a song with the group.

2:30 - McMurran Lawn, German Street - Bluegrass Picking Session led by Bob Perilla and Big Hillbilly Bluegrass - Enjoy an open air/open jam with the members of Big Hillbilly Bluegrass. This band is one of the most popular in the Washington, DC area and performs multiple shows weekly. The band was featured at the 2000 Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife and in January 2002 performed for the first time at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

3:00-4:30 - The Great Hall, O'Hurley's General Store - Introduction to Flatpicking Guitar with Robin Kessinger - Here is your chance to learn from nationally-recognized master flat-picker Robin Kessinger! Robin is a multi-state champion as well as a past-winner of the National Flatpick Championship held annually in Winfield, Kansas. Robin's flatpick guitar
workshop is appropriate for all skill levels. Attendees will need to have their own acoustic guitar and flatpicks. An electronic tuner and capo are recommended. Tape recorders are welcome!

8:00 pm - Frank Center Theater, Shepherd College, West Campus - Showcase Concert featuring 93 year-old Braxton County fiddler Melvin Wine, singer/songwriter Kate Long, national flatpicking guitar champion Robin Kessinger, and Bob Perilla's Big Hillybilly Bluegrass Band

For tickets or information call 304-876-5113 or visit our website
www.shepherd.edu/passweb/festival.htm

(And there are people who wonder why I call Shepherdstown, the "Cultural Hub of the Western Hemishere"... Remember, Billy McKomsky and friends do Irish on the 26th in this little town of 1,000+.)

Subject: RE: Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 04:49 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 07:33 PM

Hi, Claymore

Thanks for the post; only wish we were closer to the Right Coast and able to make it to the Festival. Particularly pleased to see that the Critton Hollow String Band is on tap at the fete. They are old favorites of mine, dating back almost two decades when I lived across t'other side of Cacapon Mountain from their home in Paw Paw, West-by-God-Virginia. Give'm an extra big hand for me when you see them!

Sheperdstown will be lovely at that time of year, too.

Missin' the Eastern Panhandle, I'm afraid...

Mtn D.

Subject: RE: Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 01:46 PM

Well unlike everybody else, we have had tons of rain, and some more to come this weekend from LiLi. But the best thing is the after show jams, which this year we are holding with alternative indoor locations. The 10 - ?m jam being held at the Mecklenburg Inn tonight is at an appropriate location, since it was previously used as a Civil War hospital, during the Battle of Antietim, which occured just across the river.

But I will pass on the greetings, Mtn Dog, and thanks for your good wishes...

Subject: RE: Appalachian Fest in Shepherdstown WV
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 03:24 PM

Well, danged, no blues? Jus funnin'.

Wish I could get up there for some of it since it's only 15 miles from me but my weekend is full.

I will, howver, be playing a little blues at the Harper's Ferry Flea Market on Rt 340 Sunday morning around 11:00 with my old hillbilly blues buddies, Weimer and Max.

Gotta agree with Claymore, Sheppardstown *rules*. O'Hurley's, every Thursday nights and the Mecklinberg Inn on Tuesday nights, not to mention the occasional events at Sheppard college and the Octoberfest at the Bavarian Inn, which is coming up soon.

Bobert