Common Ground Festival july 7-8

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 May 07 - 04:55 PM

Frank and I spent an evening jamming with Walt Michael and others at the Gettysburg bluegrass festival this past weekend. He is as they say above, a great musician and very nice guy. He didn't break out the hammered dulcimer, but did play his national steel guitar beautifully.

It turns out that this old thread from 2001 has the correct dates for this year's (2007) festival, which will feature Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson! Unfortunately, we can't make it, but if you go, give Walt a hello from us.

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 09:48 AM

I have to agree with Phillipa's comments on what passes for public transportation in the U.S.. "Tain't no easy way" to get to Westminster from Baltimore. There used to be a commuter bus (Rohrbaugh's Bus Comany, Hampstead, MD) from the Owings Mills Metro Station to Westminster, but I don't know if it still exists.

I have no way to compare Commonground to other "folk music camps", but it has been a joy each of the three times I've attended. Although there are some long time professional folk singers on the staff, the number of oversized egos is small. Commonground happens on the July 4th week each year. There are weeklong workshops followed by the two day festival.

I won't be able to attend the Festival this weekend, but I do recommend it to any who can attend. I did attend workshops this week. I learned some blues guitar from Sparky Rucker and Scott Ainslie, some sea chanteys from Bob Zentz, and some "altered tunings" for guitar from Robin Bullock. I spent many, many hours playing music in informal jams.

At the festival, there are usually four stages and they are within easy walking distance of each other. The Carroll County Farm Museum is a wonderful location with enough shade trees to keep you from overcooking in the sun. I highly recommend it as an entertaining and low key festival, especially if you prefer traditional music over the singer/songwriter stuff.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 12:44 PM

I was visiting friends in Pennsylvania. I rang the common ground office, found there was no public/mass transport whatsoever to Westminster, Md (even though West Md College is there as well as the museum)(regrettably typical of US. We had better transport in the low populated western isles of Scotland even!) Next time I phoned i asked the young woman in the office if I could get a lift to the college if I got the bus to Baltimore. She said sure and I said I'd phone on arrival as I wasn't 100% sure of time and place. Dumb girl was completely wrong and I was stuck in Baltimore. Even problems with taxis (not to mention the cost). first company I rang, said I wanted to go from Owings Mills to Westminster, asked cost. Dispatcher could only tell me mileage rates. Went to Owings Mills, rang same company and THEN I'm told they don't serve oWINGS mILLS. Run out of change, trouble recharging phone card with UK credit card!, but a taxi comes by. Find out it will cost $25-30. Well, I have my tent and that's cheaper than hotel in Baltimore. Get in taxi. Driver (from Indian subcontinent) says "I'm new driver. Can you tell me the way?" I've never been in Westminster in my life, as far as I know. Out of cab, back to central Baltimore. I hate big cities, esp in summer, but I have family to stay with in NY so that's where I'll head. Rain forecast for the weekend.

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 10:46 PM

I worked as a sound tech there a couple of summers ago. I recommend that anyone staying in the dorms take a couple of good fans with you. They get pretty hot.

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: paddymac
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 09:41 PM

"Common Ground" is a really great summer camp for "big kids", run by Walt Michael, a brilliant hammered dulcimer player and all around great guy. I've only had the opportunity to attend one time (the 2nd) and thoroughly enjoyed each minute of it. Met a lovely gal- but that's another story. Believe it starts on Mobday the 2nd.

Subject: RE: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: Nancy King
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 08:49 PM

Refresh

Subject: Common Ground Festival july 7-8
From: Nancy King
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:55 AM

The American Music and Arts Festival, put on by Common Ground on the Hill, will be held July 7-8 at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, MD.

This Festival deserves far more attention than it gets. Despite its rather generic-sounding official name, it's a terrific event. Each year they present a great lineup of performers -- this year's headliner is Pete Seeger, and others featured include Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen, Bryan Bowers, Bill Keith, Sparky Rucker, Bob Zentz, Magpie, and MANY others! Plus, there's food and crafts and the Farm Museum itself.

Check out their website at www.commongroundonthehill.com. (sorry my rudimentary computer skills do not include blue clickies...) I'll be there Saturday for sure -- maybe Sunday too. Hope to see you there!

Cheers, Nancy

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