Swannoa Gathering

Subject: Swannoa Gathering
From: GUEST,Hummer
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 01:12 AM

We will be in the area for the first time this year, and are hoping to get to some concerts.

Does anyone have any advice/suggestions about this festival?

Thanks in advance (and I'll just sit back & read them).

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 06:14 AM

http://www.swangathering.com/

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 06:16 AM

Hummer,
This thread:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=112035

was recently posted, concerning the new Traditional Singing Week. I'll pop it to the top so you will perhaps notice it when you next check Mudcat. I have not been to Swannanoa, but it certainly has longevity, and seems to be highly recommended.

Guest, BB

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: GUEST,Hummer
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 10:16 AM

Hi, thanks for the link to the other thread. Not much Asheville insider info

I have the info from Warren Wilson, and the Asheville tourist info.

However, I was hoping there would be some tidbits of advice for places to catch music outside the festival grounds, local places to see (there are a lot of art museums in Asheville from what I hear), eat, and play while in the area.

Considering what a bastion of American folk music Asheville is, I guess I'm surprised a lot of people who meet up in this forum haven't been a million times!

Well, I'll keep refreshing this thread, and hope someone comes along with some info to share.

We'll be there late July, if anyone is wondering.

Thanks again for the links!

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: Franz S.
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 02:28 PM

Swannanoa is more of a participatory thing than an entertainment venue, but there's a lot of fine music there. Madison County, right next door, has been and is home to many traditional musicians. Try this website:
"http://www.madisoncounty-nc.com/info/events.html" (How come I can never make a blue clicky?). For advance reading, if you're into that sort of thing, I'd recommend three books: "The French Broad" by Wilma Dykeman (it's a river, not a woman), "Minstrel of the Appalachians" by Loyal Jones (bio of Bascom Lamar Lunsford), and "The Kingdom of Madison" by Manyl Wade Wellman.

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:43 PM

Hi Hummer,

I'm originally from the Asheville area (actually a bit east of Swannanoa in a little community called Montreat) and still go there several times a year. A couple of venues to check out are Jack of the Wood on Patton Avenue in Asheville and another place called The Grey Eagle. The latter moved a while back and I haven't chased them down since, but they used to get pretty good acts in. You can check them out at http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

There are loads of publications geared to tourism, but one of the best is a tabloid-sized paper call (if I remember correctly) Mountain Xpress. It had the most complete listing and best descriptions of musical acts. It also lists gangs of open mics, but be warned — if it ain't bluegrass or old-timey mountain music it ain't gonna fly. The bluegrass nazis will actually push people out of their circle and close up so "outsiders" can't even see what's going on.

If you like instruments and just looking at beautiful craftsmanship, drive out to Black Mountain (about 15 miles east of Asheville) and go to Song of the Wood on State Street. Jerry Read Smith is the owner and he makes lap dulcimers, hammer dulcimers, psaltries and other instruments that are worth a trip just to see.

If you haven't been to the area before, enjoy the scenery and, if you have time, take a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views are worth it.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: GUEST,Hummer
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 09:47 AM

Now we're cookin'!

Thanks for those tips--it is just the info we're looking for.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gathering
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 05:31 PM

(Just fixing the spelling in the subject line for ease of future searches.)

I'm excited about this new program. Would love to make it someday. The only other comparable thing with a strong traditional singing focus that I can think of is CDSS's Pinewoods Folk Music Week.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Swannoa Gathering
From: Fortunato
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 09:21 PM

Hummer, what dates will you be in the area?