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12 Jun 08 - 12:22 AM (#2363932) Subject: FIDDLING COMPETITION IN BLUE RIDGE MTNS? From: WyoWoman A friend of mine told me about a music festival, which is maybe a fiddling competition, in the Blue Ridge Mountains in either Virginia or North Carolina (he lives right on the border) the first week in August 2008. Another of my friends is a fiddler and is interested in going, but now Friend A is out of pocket and can't be found for more details. I've searched the internet and tried the tourism departments for Virginia and North Carolina, which I found to be singularly unhelpful. Anyone know anything about this? It's supposed to be a really big gathering, but I'm not turning up anything. Cheers, WyoWoman |
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12 Jun 08 - 12:42 AM (#2363939) Subject: RE: FIDDLING COMPETITION IN BLUE RIDGE MTNS? From: Janie I'm guessing it is Galax. Also consider Clifftop as they are back-to-back, and within a couple of hours drive of one another. Janie |
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12 Jun 08 - 12:18 PM (#2364293) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: Pauline L The events at Galax and Clifftop have some competitions, but they are mainly gatherings of large numbers of people who love to play old time music. They get together, play all day and most of the night, and camp out for several days. WyoWoman, there are Scottish fiddle competitions in various places all summer long. Your friend may have been referring to the Scottish Games at Loon Mt., NC. In the Scottish games, there are competitions in many things, including various instruments, singing, dancing, and traditional Scottish athletics. Lots of people go for fun, watching, jamming, etc., not necessarily competing. If I had money and a car, I might go there myself. I've heard great things about it. The Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful, although people from your area consider them hills, not mountains. I hope this helps. |
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12 Jun 08 - 02:07 PM (#2364386) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: GUEST,Arkie My guess is that you are referring to the Fiddler's Convention at Galax, Virginia. I think there is competition not only in fiddle but also most other stringed instruments as well. Have a friend who has been to several and according to him if you enter the competition you do not have to pay a fee for the festival. Check this site: http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/ |
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12 Jun 08 - 04:32 PM (#2364523) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: Fortunato WyoWoman Galax is the only festival that matches your description. Appalachia Stringband Festival(Clifftop) is July 30 through August 3(although people arrive earlier)but it's in West Virginia. The Old Fiddler's Convention, Galax is August 4-9 (though we line up for camping at 6:00am on the 2nd) and is in Galax, Virginia just north of the VA/NC border. I go each year to Galax. You can PM me for more information if you wish. cheers, chance |
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12 Jun 08 - 06:58 PM (#2364635) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: melodeonboy I was at the Galax festival in 2002. There are competitions in just about anything relating to old time or bluegrass. There are some terrific singers and musicians there. I found that the main stage competition format - each performer given a three-minute slot - was a bit wearing once you'd seen an hour or so of it; you have to take it in small doses! But just walk round the campsite and you'll see some wonderful stuff. By the way, you're not supposed to take booze in. You can take it in but it mustn't be obvious that it's booze! |
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12 Jun 08 - 07:20 PM (#2364647) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: Sorcha So, where the HELL you been, KC? Missed you! |
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15 Jun 08 - 12:47 PM (#2366387) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: WyoWoman Oh, fabulous! Galax it is. I'll be there for at least part of it. Let me get my schedule sorted out and, Chance, I can let you know once I know. We weren't interested in the competition part, just the picking and singing part, but I thought my friend had said "competition." This sounds a lot like our Walnut Valley Festival (a.k.a. "Winfield") here in Kansas. Thousands of people getting together for no reason except that they love making music together and listening to the music of others. Amazing. Grace. Hi Sorcha! I've been busy working my ass off and also singing in a band: www.CheckeredPastMusic.com. Doing really well. Did a solo concert -- mostly jazz and blues -- last fall and am trying to scoop those musicians back together to do a CD project this fall. Good thing I've had practice as a cat-herd! Thanks to all for this info. I'm looking forward to it, and Martha, the fiddle player for our band, is especially looking forward to it. ;~] WyoWoman |
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16 Jun 08 - 12:13 PM (#2367003) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: GUEST,Neil D There are also contest/festivals for fiddle, old-time band, etc. all over that region aslmost every weekend through the summer. Many sponsored by local VFD's. We went to one in Deer Creek, Va. (about 20 miles from Galax) a couple years back while on vacation and I was surprised at how many people were there considering that Deer Creek was more of a crossroads than an actual town. Had a great time enjoying the music and the cloggers. |
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21 Jun 08 - 12:16 AM (#2371215) Subject: RE: Fiddling Competition in Blue Ridge Mountains? From: WyoWoman Thanks, Neil. It does sound like a rich area for old-time and bluegrass music. I need to dust off the few Doc Watson tunes I once knew. Sounds to me like an area where music is a way of life for the people who live there. I'm finding myself wishing I had more than four days or so to experience it. I guess that could be said of a lot of people on the 'Cat, too -- that music is just a way of life. I went to a party not too long ago that didn't have live music and it was downright weird. I'm so used to social occasions being jams or concerts, a party without musicians is just confusing. --WyoWoman |