Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration

Subject: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: Cool Beans
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 12:17 PM

It's Oct. 16-19. Any Catters going? Or have been? It sounds great to me.
http://www.berea.edu/AppalachianCenter/ctm

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: fretless
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:41 AM

Not sure if I can. I've got another trip starting on the 18th. But Berea is a beautiful little town; a number of little, pricey wood craft stores in town (predictably, lap dulcimers in abundance); and a musical instrument shop on the outskirts where I picked up a very nice playing and reasonably priced gourd banjo when I was there in June.

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: Jayto
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:58 AM

I am going to try to make it. I am not certain if I will mkae it or not but I am going to try.

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: DannyC
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 12:36 PM

Thanks for the heads up Cool Beans...   I've enjoyed a good few of those Berea convos.   Hopefully we'll catch a bit. The late John Hartford gave 'em a soaring performance a decade or so ago sharing a stage with a honest-ta-goodness washtub baseplayer from East Tenn.

Do you live in Central Kentucky? If so, we'd be honored if you'd check us out --- our schedule is usually kept updated here

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 01:33 PM

Berea College has come back a long ways towards one of its many stated goals in its interface with the Appalachians. I have been happy to see the progress made over these past forty years or so because back in the '60s much had been lost.

While the College still provided a tuition free, fine education and work-study program for students from 244 Appalachian counties (and a few "outsiders"), there was a far more limited involvement in any way with the region. While the growth has brought along with it a certain "Artsy-Fartsy" element, Berea College has sought to be what it was meant to be since its inception. The town has likewise done well with many local businesses focusing on arts and crafts and such.

If you go be sure to check out "The Weaver's Bottom" and "The Morning Glory" in town proper on North Broadway. Neil Colmer is a Berea alumnus and a fine weaver. His wife Mary makes traditional and lovely cornshuck dolls and was a good friend of the late Gerry Armstrong. Together they play a mean "Courtin' Dulcimer" as well.

Almost 40 years ago I was involved in a program that began to bring the College back to its responsive community role. It was an Associate Vista program named "Students for Appalachia" and was active in establishing community centers and daycares as well as other programs in the area around Berea.

I hold a special place in my heart for the Berea College and the area. Have fun if you go and support them in the contnuing efforts to do more each year.

Spaw (Berea College alumnus too)

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: DannyC
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 01:49 PM

My wife and her brothers attended Berea. Their parents met and courted at Berea. Their family have given back to the community is spades... as for the music... I am told that the Berea archives are a critical preservation resource...

A young Irish musician/singer has been working in the archives all summer. We've been making music all summer long. She's out and about with the music on her own tonight and again next week... further info can be found by searching for Helen Gubbins

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: nickp
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:39 PM

We went a few years ago and had a very enjoyable time. (oops just reaslised it was 2001! time flies).

Subject: RE: Berea KY Traditional Music Celebration
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 06:40 PM

Looking and sounding good, DannyC. I live in Michigan and rarely get to Lexington, though. Thanks, all, for your insights and info about Berea.