MUSIC Forum at canaaninstitute.org :: cinst.org

[Mike_L]

Web Cam Ithaca Commons ...
Can't make it? Click and see who's there!
http://ancientwisdompro.com/webcam/

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

What tunes on Mondays ... ?

On Monday nights we play fiddle tunes in sets of 2 tunes together about 5 times each. A "professional" New England contra band usually string 3 tunes together like an Irish session ... except longer ... depends on how long the dance goes.

We try not to get stuck in a rut by playing the exact same sets EVERY time, but here is a set list I put together for the Scottish Fest - it has sets of tunes that we know fairly well as a group ... that should give you same ideas of what to practice Coming tonight?? -m

http://www.canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=1888#1888
MUSIC Forum at canaaninstitute.org :: View topic - YFN for Ithaca Scottish Games on Saturday July 12
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[Mike_L]

2009 Starts June 1st 7:30-10 pm
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

YFN folks ... one of you left a music stand on the Commons
last night. Jerry has it.

==================================================

Date: 1 Sep 2009 12:18:48 -0400
From: "Jerry Drumheller" drumheller cnf cornell edu
Subject: Black music stand

This Note is for the musicians last night on the commons... I was =
the last payer to leave, and there was a really nice music stand still =
there, and nobody to claim it..... I took it, and put it in my car..... =
I'll bring it next Monday..

Jerry Drumheller
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

2010 Starts June 7th 7:30-10 pm

CONTRA DANCE -- Every Monday night all summer long until the middle of September. This event is a contra dance on the Ithaca Commons at the Main Pavilion. The band is open, anyone can play. The dance is free, anyone can dance (donations to musicians accepted).

Check it out on the Commons web cam! http://www.ancientwisdompro.com/webcam/index.php

The event is organized by Ted Crane and Pamela Goddard of Tompkins County Country Dances (TCCD). They are the dance callers who obtain the proper permits for the group to be there and call dances all summer long. The dance calling is open also, so if you want to call a dance, speak to Ted or Pam - I bet they would love a break! MORE HERE http://www.tedcrane.com/TCCD/

The open band is know as "Your Friends and Neighbors" YFN for short. The band plays from the local Ithaca contra tune set of contra dance tunes assembled over the last 4 decades by various members, current maintained by Wash (notation) and Mike (web access). You can find them here http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_sound.html If you do not have access to a printer and need a set of music; find Mike.

MAP TO ITHACA COMMONS -- http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=E+State+St+%26+N+Tioga+St,+Ithaca,+Tompkins,+New+York+14850&sll=42.41161,-76.29505&sspn=0.008048,0.01929&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FbmThwIdWcBw-w&split=0&hq=&hnear=E+State+St+%26+N+Tioga+St,+Ithaca,+Tompkins,+New+York+14850&z=16

Mike also hosts a weekly fiddle dance tune jam (CONTRA JAM) on Wednesday nights. This has some entry level friendly aspects built into it. The current structure is a jam from 7-10 pm every Wednesday with the beginning of the evening easier paced with sheet music available, later in the evening the pace picks up and the sheet music disappears. MORE ABOUT THAT JAM HERE WITH DIRECTIONS. http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

2011

The Monday nights on the commons starts tonight June 6th from 7:30-10:00 pm and continues all summer long rain or shine, holidays or not. Open band open calling. Music and contra dance.
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

From Ted: organizer of this fun event!

We had a great turnout last Friday night at Bethel
Grove...there were more musicians than dancers until
about 8:20, when the leaving-the-Ithaca-Festival hordes
descended.

Tonight is the beginning of Mondays on the Ithaca Commons

Every Monday, starting June 6, until the weather
gets cold in mid- to late- September. 7:30-10pm
on the Ithaca Commons.

This is the "big band" event season. In recent
years we've almost always had 15-20 musicians,
sometimes as many as 30. The music officially
begins at 7:30, but some folks arrive a little
early to play informally. Dancing starts at 7:30
or whatever informal time the dancers arrive.

See you there tonight!

-ted crane

PS:
Rain or shine. The dancers musicians are under
cover of the roof. It always amazes me how many
dancers will show up, even during inclement weather!
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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[Mike_L]

From Ted Crane ...

YFN folks -

Here's a heads-up (or a reminder) that this Friday's (05-Aug)
Waltz Jam is at a special location, part of the
Middle-of-Summer Barn Dance thing we're doing this week.

My birthday doesn't often fall on a Friday, so this
seemed like a good moment for such a special event.

Anyway, here's details:
6pm - potluck supper
7pm-ish - waltz jam
8pm-ish - contra and barn dances. [ www.oshanigans.com ]

Location: The Slow Lane Barn
It's at the corner of Comfort and Love, uh, Lieb Roads
in Danby. About 8 miles, total, from the Commons.
If you use Google Maps, search for "814 Comfort Road Spencer NY".

If you're coming from Ithaca, may I suggest
- Aurora Street, NYS Rt.96B south.
- pass Ithaca College, then pass King Road.
- turn right at Comfort Road.
- Follow Comfort Road, passing Yaple, Miller, and Gunderman Roads.
- When Comfort Road becomes a dirt road, you're there.
- Park Anywhere, but please, not in the middle of the road!
- Entrance is at South end of barn, opposite "Slow Lane" sign.

Coming from the South (Candor, Owego, etc),
- When you enter the Town of Danby, slow down.
- Turn left on Bald Hill Road (to Jennings Pond).
- If you see the Town Hall on the left, you've missed the turn, go back.
- Bald Hill Road about 0.6 miles, then turn right on Lieb Road.
- All the way (0.8 miles) to the top of Lieb Road.
- You're there.

Bring: more than the usual!
- You and yours, and your friends
- Your instrument(s)
- A dish for potluck, if you arrive at the time
- A chair, if you like to sit
- Utensils, etc
- A battery-powered lamp, if you plan to stay after dark
- Shoes or appropriate footwear; this is a hard-surfaced barn floor!

There's a nice breeze in the barn (usually), it's dry (mostly)
even when the weather isn't, and a nice view out the barn doors.

We hope to see you!

-ted


PS: and don't forget...

Every Monday, starting June 6, until the weather
gets cold in mid- to late- September. 7:30-10pm
on the Ithaca Commons.

This is the "big band" event season. In recent
years we've almost always had 15-20 musicians,
sometimes as many as 30. The music officially
begins at 7:30, but some folks arrive a little
early to play informally. Dancing starts at 7:30
or whatever informal time the dancers arrive.

Rain or shine. The dancers musicians are under
cover of the roof. It always amazes me how many
dancers will show up, even during inclement weather!
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===

[Mike_L]

===2012===

1. Friday Night Dance on June 1
2. Waltz Jams (mostly) First Fridays
3. Mondays on the Ithaca Commons

Hoping to see all of you all of the time!
-ted



Friday Night Dance at Bethel Grove
----------------------------------
Friday, June 1, you're all invited as the featured
band of the evening at the Ithaca Contra Dance.
This is the kick-off evening for our summer
programming, and you're it!


Waltz Jams at Bethel Grove
--------------------------
We continue with the First Friday Waltz Jams tonight,
May 4. And then June 1.

Play waltzes 7-8pm at Bethel Grove. Dance, too, if
you like. The dancers sure appreciate the music!
1825 Slaterville Road, on NYS Rt.79, about 4 miles
east of the Ithaca Commons.


Mondays on the Ithaca Commons
-----------------------------
Every Monday, starting June 4, until the weather
gets cold in mid-September. 7:30-10pm on the
Ithaca Commons.

This is the "big band" event season. In recent
years we've almost always had 15-20 musicians,
sometimes as many as 30. The music officially
begins at 7:30, but some folks arrive a little
early to play informally. Dancing starts at 7:30
or whatever informal time the dancers arrive.

===
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===

[Mike_L]

Summer 2013

=========

YFN Folks:

Many of you have already heard that the Ithaca Commons has
begun a year-long construction process. As a result, the
traditional location for the Monday-Night-In-The-Summer
dances will be unavailable this summer.

I've been following up on this for a while now. I'd like
to share my thoughts and ask for input. Pardon me if this
is somewhat formal; I hope that after reading it, you'll
have some feeling for my quandary about what to do.

Why We Do Mondays
-----------------

From the point of view of musicians, it's an opportunity
to play "out" in front of and for people who appreciate the
music. Although there's a great deal of pleasure to be had
from jams and playing in small groups, it's not quite the
same as doing it in public.

From my point of view, it's an opportunity to present what
we do to people who /don't/ do it regularly...if ever.
There's other occasions and venues where those who dance
by preference can get together, but no other way for
others --who range from "never heard of it" to "never
intended to try it"-- to join in.

Why the Ithaca Commons Is A Great Location
------------------------------------------

The Monday Dances started using the Commons around 1978
(yes, I've been around a long time). It's relatively easy
to get to, doesn't cost anything(*), and has a comfortable
performance space. Paramount, though, it offers a steady
stream of visitors who are there mostly just to be there.
Some are headed for movies or dining, but mostly they're
just walking, or being tourists.

Bottom line, I'm mighty impressed by how the Commons
location is perfect for the kind of public participation
event we've been providing.

(*) - the usage fees have traditionally been waived. In
2012, there was a nominal fee, and it was covered by local
businesses. This situation will not be changing for the
better in the future.

How About Other Downtown Locations
----------------------------------

For some time, long ago, the Monday Dances (which evolved
into the Friday Dances) were /inside/ Center Ithaca. Back
then, it even had a performance space. It didn't work
too well. Once the shops closed, it was an eerie tomb.
And, since staying open cost Center Ithaca money and didn't
generate a useful shopping crowd, it didn't last long. With
the Commons under construction and /not/ a visitor magnet,
it's not a good option.

DeWitt Park stands out as a green space downtown. It has
several drawbacks. Primarily, it's controlled by the
bordering churches, and they are very reluctant to allow
its use...and even more so by groups that make noise.
That's why it's not the activity center that it might be.
Let's face it, we make noise; beautiful but not quiet.
Road noise can be an obnoxious factor in the park. And
the park is also (and this will be a recurring theme)
not a location for strollers without destination.

Other parks, from small neighborhood parks to Stewart Park,
are also not magnets for visitors. Sure, the pavilions in
Stewart Park could be reserved (I forget if there's a fee),
but it would tend to be a for-those-who-know kind of crowd.

Suzanne has told me that the supermarket (former P&C) over
on Hancock Street is amenable to music and maybe to dance.
Parking wouldn't be an issue, for sure. While I have yet to
follow up on the idea, it's hard to get warm about dancing
in a parking lot or in the aisles of a grocery. And the only
chance visitors we'd see would be people on their way into
and out of the store. Bags full of melting ice cream would
not make it easy to attract dancers.

There's always the various church basements and rec halls
downtown. Like other indoor and out-of-the-way locations,
though, dancers would be of the in-the-know variety.

And then, there's always places like the Farmer's Market.
Unfortunately, I don't think they have a Monday market,
so it'd be another location with no walk-ins.

Cornell, Ithaca College, and the like
-------------------------------------

There's lots of rooms at the colleges. Sometimes they're
free (and available), too, but the good ones are neither
free nor easy to get. Many are relatively out of the way,
not in public locations. During the summer, random foot
traffic on campus is way down, too. Even WSH is kindof
dead, 'cause they don't serve dinner during the summer.

Before the Summer Mondays moved the the Commons, they
happened in the Anabel Taylor Hall courtyard. It's a green
space, down below street level. Those events were
well-attended, but mostly by the same dancers week after
week. That's one of the reasons why the event moved to
the Ithaca Commons.

Private Locations
-----------------

Just as Mike hosts jams at his place, I have a barn that
I've used for music and dance. Heck, in a few months the new
house might be far enough along to use, with a lot more
"creature comforts" than the barn. Both offer an easy
connection between indoor and outdoor comforts. But, just
like Mike's place, the barn and house are not at all downtown.

Summary
-------

Most of my evaluations, so far, have ended up with the
comment that the space fails to meet one or both of the
two goals stated at the beginning: a chance to play for
an appreciative audience, and a chance to present to "new"
people.

I wonder what locations I've missed, or whether I've
missed some important feature of one of those described.
Can you suggest anything?

Mondays on the Commons has always had a good synergy
with the other weekly event, on Friday. I'm sure you can
sympathize with my concern that, absent the reward of
presenting to new dancers, a second weekly event drawing
from the same pool of dancers who would attend on Friday
nights might not work to the benefit of either.

If YFN folks are simply looking for an opportunity to
play --audience or no audience-- I'm sure that can be
arranged. Perhaps another night at Mike's, or it'd be
great to have you all out at my barn (or house).

I am also hoping to have YFN play for a few Friday
dances during the summer. Maybe YFN could stay on after
the First Friday Waltz jam and play contras. Maybe
some other weeks, too.

===
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===

[Mike_L]

YFN folks:

Just so's you'll know, I've already followed up on
the suggestion that Bill Garrison gave me yesterday.

(Bill, a non-contributor to the Email storm we've been
creating, sent it directly to me. Please consider
/not/ sending to the entire list, when possible).

Bill let me know that the City recently agreed to a
proposal by the "Food Truck Association" to have a
/Food Truck Roundup/ in Thompson Park on Wednesdays
and Sundays.

Thompson Park is that small, green triangle
near Gimme Coffee.

The roundup is 5-9pm on Wednesdays, and at some
awful musicians-aren't-even-awake hour on Sundays.

I've applied to the DPW for permission to use the
park itself (the Roundup is on sidewalks) from 7-9pm
on Wednesdays. This is a bit earlier than our usual
7:30-10pm, but it corresponds better to the Roundup.
"Permission" isn't quite the right word; "Reservation"
is more like it, so we don't arrive and find someone
else using the space.

It seems like a very good replacement for the Commons.

Pro
---
- Easy access location, good parking
- Potential for walk-in participants
- Food

Con
---
- Wednesday, not Monday (how untraditional)
- No cover in rain (not sure this is a "con", since
it'll relieve those few who do show up, from the
no-fun waiting around in case the rain stops.
They can immediately go find somewhere else to jam)

On the whole, the Pro far outweighs the Con.

Please stay tuned.
-ted crane


PS: For those who missed Nancy's and Buddha's
comments about the Farmer's Market: performance
spaces at IFM are hard to come by, harder to get
on a regular basis, and it's unlikely they'd
provide space for dancing.


PPS: MEANWHILE, DON'T FORGET THAT THIS FRIDAY,
7PM AT BETHEL GROVE, IS A WALTZ JAM!

===
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===

[Mike_L]

From Ted Crane

1. Mondays on the Ithaca Commons (well, not exactly)
2. Friday Night Dance on June 7
3. Waltz Jams (mostly) First Fridays

Feel free to pass this info on to your musician
and dancing friends.

Hoping to see all of you all of the time!
-ted



Mondays on the Ithaca Commons
-----------------------------
Well, you've all heard about the Commons. It isn't,
not this summer, and not for a long time to come.

That's the background. Here's the outcome. First,
the good news: Monday Night Dancing On The Commons
will be happening this summer. And, the bad news,
not on Mondays, and not on the Commons.

We're moving, hopefully for only this summer,
to Wednesdays, 7-9pm, in Thompson Park, Ithaca.
You can Google Map the location "thompson park ithaca ny"

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=thompson+park+ithaca+ny

Why that place?
It offers at least the chance of a similar situation
to what we're used to on the Ithaca Commons: a decent
venue, guaranteed each week, and a destination location
for a flow of pedestrians -- not merely on their way to
or from somewhere else, but actually coming /to/ the Park.

Why that time?
This is related to the place: with the Commons closed,
the Ithaca Mobile Food Truck Association has announced
a weekly "Food Truck Roundup" at that time and location.
Theory is, that'll draw people to the Park, and give us
a pool of participants. The Truckers like the idea!
Yes, and you can buy food, too.

Other Details
You can also get coffee (etc.) at Gimme Coffee, across
the street, and there's at least a chance of a bathroom
there, too. There's a small bandstand, too. Parking is
no worse than around the Commons.

This is the "big band" event season. In recent
years we've almost always had 15-20 musicians,
sometimes as many as 30. The music formally
begins at 7pm, but some folks arrive a little
early to play informally. Dancing starts at 7pm
or whatever informal time the dancers arrive.


Friday Night Dance at Bethel Grove
----------------------------------
Friday, June 7, you're all invited as the featured
band of the evening at the Ithaca Contra Dance.
This is the kick-off evening for our summer
programming, and you're it!
1825 Slaterville Road, on NYS Rt.79, about 4 miles
east of the Ithaca Commons.


Waltz Jams at Bethel Grove
--------------------------
We continue with the First Friday Waltz Jams on June 7.

Play waltzes 7-8pm at Bethel Grove. Dance, too, if
you like. The dancers sure appreciate the music!

Ted Crane


###
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===

[Mike_L]

Not too late! Come on over!
-ted

==================================================

Friday Night Dance at Bethel Grove
----------------------------------
Friday, June 7, you're all invited as the featured
band of the evening at the Ithaca Contra Dance.
This is the kick-off evening for our summer
programming, and you're it!
1825 Slaterville Road, on NYS Rt.79, about 4 miles
east of the Ithaca Commons.


Waltz Jams at Bethel Grove
--------------------------
We continue with the First Friday Waltz Jams on June 7.

Play waltzes 7-8pm at Bethel Grove. Dance, too, if
you like. The dancers sure appreciate the music!
.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===