BS: INFO required visit to USA.

Subject: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: oombanjo
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 04:12 AM

The Dixy Chick and I are planning a visit across the pond in 94. our taste in music is old time Banjo and Fiddle. As we will be there for only 8 to 10 days we want to emmerse ourselves in a learning curve and bring it back to Blitey. The time of our visit will be April / May/94. Any suggestions will be welcomed.   Chee3rs Oombanjo.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: Don Firth
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 04:52 AM

I'm confused. 94? Is that 1994 (in which case, no matter how much you hurry, I don't think you're going to make it) or 2094 (if so, that's what I call really planning ahead!). Can you elucidate a bit?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: oombanjo
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 05:40 AM

The result of a very late night, should have said 2004 or 04.But if I make 2094 I do'nt think I'll be bringing the banjo. Chee3rs Oombanjo.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 09:24 AM

Great, but it's a big country and there's lots to do. Are there places that you'd particularily like to visit?

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 09:34 AM

Somewhere around here we have a link to oldtime music jams, by area. A PM to Mudcatter Hogeye should get it....

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 09:38 AM

Submitted too fast-- here:

Old Time Musicians Directory. U.S.-ers here should be able to help you focus on that list geographically. The site has a festivals/events section as well.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 11:53 AM

The Eastern USA...particularly the states of Virginia, West Virginia, N. Carolina, and the surrounding areas, are prime locations for that sort of music...check festival schedules. There are often contests where the BEST show up in one location.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 09:27 AM

April/May is too early for the big events in the old time festival season.

The Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention (NC) isn't until June and Clifftop (WV) and Galax (VA) aren't until August.

If there is another Melvin Wine Birthday Party, it will be in Sutton WV, in April. Probably 10th or 17th.
http://www.augustaheritage.com/about.html#Augusta Year-Round

The Vandalia Gathering, Charleston WV, May 21-23, is a great festival in a beautiful venue that focuses on WV music.
http://www.wvculture.org/vandalia/

I've heard good things about the Florda State Folk Festival in May, but I don't know how much old time music content it has.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/folkfest/index.asp

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 09:28 AM

Make sure your passport's in order well in advance - the rules change from next month, so that - some passports won't work any more

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: oombanjo
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 02:32 PM

Thanks to all, I have filed all the infomation, it is your personal preferences that I am after, as to the area the appalachians sound as though they go with the music,(which airport would I fly to?) the date is not written in stone. I have a banjo tab for a tune in (ADADE) called, Bob Wines Tune. Would he be related to Melvin?.
       again thanks to all.Oombanjo & The dixy Chick.
                      AKA John & Sheelagh.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: Burke
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 07:26 PM

Based on a recommendation on Dwight Diller's pages, I'd say to look at Vandalia Gathering.

I see Dwight will be in England in November, so you can get some immersion closer to home. Go here for more details.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: LadyJean
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 12:32 AM

Whatever you do, and wherever you go, ask locals for the best places to eat, so you won't be stuck eating fast food. If you are visiting the south, biscuits and gravy are the breakfast of the gods! unless you're a vegetarian. Careful about ordering tea. A lot of places down south only serve it iced.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: NicoleC
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 12:36 AM

Iced and with lots of sugar!

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:35 AM

oombanjo,

Bob Wine was Melvin's father. Melvin called the tune "Bob Wine's Tune" because he couldn't remember what his father called it.

Another WV fiddler, Ernie Carpenter, had a similar problem. He called a tune "Grandad's Favorite" because he couldn't remember what his grandfather had called it.

My wife and I spend the entire summer traveling back and forth between DE and WV. Melvin Wine's Birthday (April), Vandalia (May), WV State Folk Festival (June), Clifftop (July/August), Augusta Festival (August), Stonewall Jackson Jubilee (Labor Day), Augusta Fiddlers' Reunion (October). I give all of them my highest recommendation.

If your plans are flexible, give some serious thought to Clifftop.
http://www.wvculture.org/stringband
It is THE old time music gathering for the eastern US. Almost every old time musician who is capable of traveling is there.

Subject: RE: BS: INFO required visit to USA.
From: nickp
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 12:14 PM

End of May (UK Bank Holiday w/e?) is Fiddlers Grove, Union Grove, NC

Fiddlers Grove

Smallish, friendly, mix oldtime & bluegrass but a little more fiddle than banjo - recommend taking your own food (vendors are basic)