Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?

Subject: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: bbc
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:34 PM

I'm considering going to the Old-Time Music & Dance week at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina this July. Has anyone been to the gatherings there? I can take classes each day in beginning autoharp w/ Evo Bluestein, shape note singing w/ Ron Pen, & unaccompanied singing w/ Sheila Kay Adams. It sounds like it might be a very nice use of time! I'm curious if anyone has attended or knows these folks. The reason I looked it up is that I've been wanting to meet Sheila Kay Adams for sometime.

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 08:19 AM

First, a question. If you want to meet Sheila Kay, why would you NOT go? A week with Sheila Kay is a marvelous experience.

Some of my good friends go every year. They love it.

I go to Augusta myself. Closer.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:46 AM

I've never been to the workshops at Swannanoa but know some of the people involved and a week with Evo and Sheila Kay will be time well spent and a week you will treasure.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Scotus
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 12:18 PM

I can only speak for the Celtic Week, where I've taught for the last 5 years, and it is very good - great atmosphere; very friendly; no barriers between staff and students; usually fine weather; terrific campus; well organized. Thoroughly recommended!

Jack

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: KT
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 02:13 PM

Never been.........yet!

Would love to go, but it's a little too far away.

Go! You will have a fabulous time. The music, instruction and camaraderie you will find will have you wanting to make it an annual event.   As my young son said to me when I was considering going to a similar festival, "If not now, Mom, when?"

KT

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 07:15 PM

Ron Pen's spoken voice can be heard here http://cdbaby.com/cd/creeksider Go to "A Legend of McKinley Craft." He does the reading; the dulcimer at the beginning is a 1935 recording of Mr. Craft, the rest of the dulcimer accompaniment is by me. I got to know Ron through shape note classes at Folk Week at the Hindman Settlement School; they were wonderful. -- Slim

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: bbc
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 07:57 PM

Thanks, folks. It's a bit far away & a bit expensive, but it's doable. It does sound wonderful!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:09 PM

If one was coming from the UK, what would the closest major airport be?

sian

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:25 PM

Nearest major airport is probably Charlotte NC. I'll be going to OT week this year (my first as well) as I've heard lots of great reports from friends. I'll be doing fiddle or banjo, or maybe both.
Cheers
Ray (on tour with Debby McClatchy and the Albemarle Ramblers)

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:38 PM

Haven't been, but know several people who have. All reports are that it is wonderful.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 01:42 PM

Here's the general site. There's transportation information under "About Us", also a page about Ride Sharing.

One of those ones I'd like to get to someday...

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:04 PM

Note that the course info is for 2009. 2010 info will be up in March.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:59 PM

I thought the Song week looked interesting, but I doubt if I'll be able to raise the funds ...

sian

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Fortunato
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 05:59 AM

sian,

You can fly into Charlotte but it's good to check connecting flights from the UK into Dulles (IAD) and then into Greenville - Spartenburg (GSP)which is a shorter drive, (41 miles) than Charlotte or even Asheville (AVL)which is 13 miles from Swannanoa.

cheers
chance

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 06:54 AM

Thanks for that. Seems that London to Newark and then to Asheville is do-able. Afford-able is another question!

Still, the song week looks sooo interesting ...

sian

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: kmbraun
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:33 PM

My wife and I are going to the song week. It will be our first time. Can't wait!

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:51 PM

Or, you can fly through Raleigh Durham and spend some time with me, and Janie!

I can somehow never afford the time off to go, but the programs are always SO tempting.

Do it!

A group I sing with is doing a program with Sheila Kay Adams next month. Hadn't known anything about her, and I'm looking forward to learning more! One of the songs we're doing, apparently, is Palms of Victory, which always makes me think of my FSGW friends, who taught it to me. I hope I can sing it with a straight face : )

Dani

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 05:55 AM

We are thinking about going for the first time. Too late last year we noticed that they were having Sheila Kay Adams and Brian Peters at their Traditional Song Week, so I have been keeping an eye on it.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Brian Peters
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 06:02 AM

As Susan mentioned, I was on staff last year for Song Week. It was a wonderful time. Not only did I get to hear and briefly meet the late Charlie Louvin, and hear much else that was terrific, but I had a blank period in my own schedule coinciding with Shelia Kay's class, which was very inspirational. I'm not sure who Julee has lined up for this year (I've been asked back for the future, but it won't be this summer), but I'm sure it will be well worth the trip. Such a lovely setting, too!

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: bbc
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 06:57 AM

Folks, I hope you have a wonderful time! The week I spent with Sheila was very special to me. As a result of it, I learned my first unaccompanied ballad, "My Dearest Dear", which I sang at Sandy Paton's memorial session at NEFFA. The song may be included on our new Mudcat set; I wasn't on the first set.

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 06:36 AM

The Old Time week last July was superb. Had some great sessions, really good instruction and great weather. I will certainly go again if at all possible.

Amusing story:
They sent me a form to book for this year with a picture of a session showing an empty chair and an arrow with a "wish you were here" caption. A bit strange because I was actually sitting in the chair next to it!

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 12:45 PM

BanjoRay, you obviously had chosen the wrong chair!

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 14 May 12 - 07:56 PM

Dick and I are going to Traditional Song Week this summer. Is anyone else going?

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 15 May 12 - 12:56 AM

WOULD love to but can't....was just searching for an email contact for Aiden O'Hara and see he will be on the faculty there...I remember him from long ago....would anyone have his email? mg

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 12 - 03:28 PM

I have not been. I was planning on going to Guitar Week in 2011, but a schedule conflict arose. I see this year for Traditional Song Week they will have a presentation by Bettty Smith.

I recently looked Betty up online, and was pleased to see she's still alive, at about 85 years old. I have her Folk Legacy album, "Songs Traditionally Sung in North Carolina". Caroline Paton turned me on to Betty's work the 2001 or 2 Getaway, and it's a real treasure trove of pure, beautiful singing and simple accompaniments.

I'm hoping to get to Swannanoa Gathering some other year.

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,Linda Goodman (cookie gone!)
Date: 15 May 12 - 04:29 PM

I'm the one who wrote about Betty Smith, above. I'm trying to get my cookie restored. Sorry for the annonymity

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 16 May 12 - 11:37 AM

I've never been and would love to -- it's almost in my backyard -- but the budget has never allowed. I check their website every year in hopes they will institute a weekend or mini-camp that I can afford. One day...
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Swannanoa Gatherings--Have you been?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 17 May 12 - 02:47 PM

So, no one is going this year?