Updated photograph LINK! Go here for 2012 ITHACA FESTIVAL PARADE PHOTOS http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

Ithaca Festival 2012 Parade Photo Album The SEVENTH year of photos from the Ithaca Festival on Canaan Institute website! I’ll confess; my initial motivation for this was because my son, Bryan and daughter, Megan were stilt walkers in previous years … see previous photos (way) below … (this year Megan was on a uni-cycle again). But the parade is such fun and involves so many local folks - I now try to capture images of the whole procession to share each year. Thanks to the unicycle club members at F.L.O.W. for teaching my kids and Raylene to Uni-cycle (Keith, Robbert, Brendan, Lesley) Sorry, if I missed anybody. These images of the Ithaca Festival Parade are low resolution so they will load over the web fairly quickly - if you have a favorite pic and want a hi-res image send me an email request, I’ll try and accommodate. -Mike :-)

The 2012 Ithaca Festival, themed “Finger Lakes Luau,” starts at 6pm, Thursday, May 31^st with the famous Ithaca Festival Parade. Festivities run from noon until 9pm, Friday, June 1^st through Sunday June 3^rd on the Ithaca Commons, featuring over 150 performances – not to be missed acts include: The Bernie Milton Tribute Band, The Official 2012 Ithaca Festival Finger Lakes Luau Hula Dance Team and The Sim Redmond Band. The Festival will also host a hearty array of handmade crafts, local food, children’s activities and more. Festival programs, buttons and t-shirts, with artwork by Meghan Wood, are now available in stores all over town and will also be easily found at merchandise booths throughout the Festival.

Highlights this year include the Family Fun Zone in De Witt Park, pony rides on State St., the new Beer Garden Sound Stage in the Ithaca Journal parking lot, and the Wine Garden in Tree Grove on the Commons that will feature a selection of regional wines and beer. On Sunday, June 3^rd the Gorges Green Expo, now in its seventh year at the Festival, will take a prominent position at the heart of the Commons. The GGE promotes green businesses and initiatives and focuses on increasing community involvement in local sustainability efforts.

The Festival will also host a Finger Lakes Luau at the Farmers Market, starting 8pm Friday, June 1^st, with a pig-roast by The Piggery and performances of Hawaiian music by Larry Real, dancing by The Official 2012 Ithaca Festival Finger Lakes Luau Hula Dance Team, fire dancing by Lyca on Fire and last but not least, the Sim Redmond Band.

Visit www.ithacafestival.org to see the updated schedule of events and read more about this year’s Ithaca Festival.

HUNTINGDON PA  — Musicians of all ages, instruments and skill levels are invited to attend Folk College 2012, where they’ll have the opportunity to learn from locally and nationally-known folk musicians in a fun and friendly environment.

The event will be held May 25-27 at Juniata College in Huntingdon PA (near State College and Penn State) and will feature workshops, concerts, jam sessions and more, culminating in a student concert where participants can show off the skills they learned throughout the weekend. Workshops range from beginner to advanced and cover genres including blues, old time and world music.

The Folk College 2012 musical staff include:

• Atwater-Donnelly: Atwater-Donnelly performs a unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry. The highly praised husband-wife duo blends gorgeous vocals with an astonishing array of instruments including the mountain dulcimer, old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, limberjack, mandolin, harmonica, feet and more.
• Four Shillings Short: Four Shillings Short is part of the creative fusion that is happening in World Music today.  Blending Celtic, East Indian and American Folk music with Medieval, Renaissance and original compositions, the international duo have carved out a musical identity all their own.
• Simple Gifts: Three women plus twelve instruments equals one good time when Simple Gifts takes the stage. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, th award-winning trio of Linda LIttleton, Karen Hirschon and Rachel Hall play everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs and haunting Gypsy melodies, spicing the mix with the distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style.

• The Horse Flies: A longtime favorite of critics and fans, The Horse Flies blend Americana roots with indie rock, ethnic percussion, creative songwriting, and a fierce, percolating groove. With a love of both the traditional and the modern, The Flies have consistently explored the intersection of the two to create a musical world all their own.
• The Twilite Broadcasters: The Twilite Broadcasters are the missing link between vintage country, old time, early bluegrass and rockabilly. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the band creates traditional American music directly inspired by the likes of the Louvin Brothers and Bill Monroe.
• Tomás Lozano and Polly Ferber: Barcelona born Tomás Lozano’s music incarnates his mix of cultural roots; a history of conquest and resistance masterfully expressed through his smooth voice, the vibrant fingerwork on his guitar and the soothing droning of his hurdy-gurdy. He will be joined by Polly Ferber, a percussionist, music educator, performer, and recording artist who specializes in hand percussion from the Middle East, the Balkans, Spanish Andalusia, and North Africa.

The weekend will also feature teacher training for the Mark O’Connor method of fiddle playing. This intensive workshop is designed for music teachers interested in learning O’Connor’s unique method of fiddle instruction.

Folk College is hosted by Simple Gifts nd sponsored by the Huntingdon County PA Arts Council. Those who register before April 1 can take advantage of a $200 “early bird” pricing; the cost is $235 after April 1. Meals and lodging in Juniata College residence halls are also available for additional fees.

Folk College 2012 will be held May 25-27 at Juniata College in Huntingdon PA. For more information, visit folkcollege.com or contact the Huntingdon County Arts Council at 814-643-6220.

Festival Description & Schedule

ITHACA NY - In just over a week, the music will begin.   We are excited to welcome you to La Tourelle Resort & Spa for a warm winter weekend of great music from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29.  Following is the latest information on the festival.

TICKETS
Tickets are still available for all events. Only 30 or so weekend passes ($85) remain with over 100 sold. Plenty of tickets are available for the Saturday night concert at the Hangar Theatre, though we anticipate that this 350 seat venue will be filled. Tickets are available at www.ithacaevents.com or can be purchased directly from the www.wintervillagebluegrass.org

MORRISVILLE NY - O’Shanigans contra dance band will be playing high energy fiddle tunes with Tim Ball on fiddle, Phil Robinson on guitar and Mike Ludgate on mandolin at Madison Hall in Morrisville for the Syracuse Contra Dance on Saturday December 3rd 2011. The fantastic caller, David Smukler will teach the dances. Madison Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places. A symbol of the town of Eaton and village of Morrisville the building sits in the center of Morrisville, NY 13408 on Historic US Route 20. Madison Hall was constructed in 1865 and was once the county center for Madison County in New York State. See  the links below for dance location and sponoring dance group. See http://www.oshanigans.org/ for more about the band! December 3rd 8-11 pm $7-

Sponsored by Syracuse Country Dancers! Admission $7- Don’t miss this dance! This is an authentic (registered historic site built in 1865) old ballroom style venue with a newly refinished dance floor! Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS! All dances taught, No partner needed.

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — Historic Madison Hall is 4/10 mile east of the traffic light on Rte. 20 in Morrisville, NY, about 10 miles east of Cazenovia. Madison Hall is on the south side of Rte 20. Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rt 20.

PARKING — TONS OF EASY PARKING right across the street! Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rte 20. http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

BAND on WEB http://www.oshanigans.org/
BAND on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/oshanigans (please click “like”)
VENUE WEBSITE http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/index.html
EVENT POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/Oshanigans_current_poster.pdf
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/events/304382226252350

GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Madison+Hall+Morrisville+NY&ll=42.898462,-75.641406&spn=0.009321,0.01929&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Madison+Hall&hnear=0×89d97e3dfcce6591:0xbd7e214b46903be3,Morrisville,+NY&cid=0,0,973169564827262547&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

DIRECTIONS http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

PARKING — TONS OF EASY PARKING right across the street! Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rte 20. http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

FROM THE DANCERS AND MUSICIANS about O’Shanigans — “The O’Shanigans rocked the hall tonight! You guys sure know how to throw a party!” “I was really glad to get to dance to your music- that was tons of fun!!” “Super dance on Friday! You guys were peppy, and there were some imaginative arrangements that made even old, familiar tunes sound fresh. Hooray for the O’Shanigans!” “It was invigorating music, great company and fun caller!” “Do play for us again!” “It was fun dancing and even more so to the tunes of O’Shanigans!” “It was great!” “Mike, you and Phil and Tim were SOLID! I had a blast and my daughter had fun too! Thanks for playing, and thanks Ray for the goodies!” “We’ve heard great stuff about you guys: We’d love to have you play at our dance!” “Wow! I have not seen that kind of energy at the Friday Dance in long time, you guys were great!” “That was the most amazing medley … was there something Middle Eastern in there?” “You guys were way out there like in Hungary or somewhere? … then you brought it back home with that old-time tune … the best version of that I have ever heard!” “The band was absolutely wonderful last night!”

HISTORY OF MADISON HALL — Madison Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. A symbol of the town of Eaton and village of Morrisville the building sits in the center of Morrisville, NY 13408 on Historic US Route 20. Madison Hall was constructed in 1865 and was once the county center for Madison County in New York State. The current building is the last of three courthouses built on the same site. The original courthouse built in 1817 was a simple wooden structure and was demolished in 1849. It was replaced with a sturdier more attractive building of Greek Revival features and stood for 15 years. On October 11, 1864 it is rumored that the notorious NY Loomis gang set fire to this building because they wanted to destroy county records since a gang member was on trial. Replacing the burned down building, the present building was erected on the old stone foundation, preserving the previous steps and porch floor. In 1909 the county seat was moved north to Wampsville, NY to more closely associate with businesses and travel along Scenic Route 5 Seneca Turnpike. In 1910 the courthouse became the main instructional and administrative facility on the newly established New York State School of Agriculture which later became Morrisville State College. The historic courthouse now sits on the edge of the college campus. http://www.madisonhall.org/

About Contra Dancing: WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DANCE Contra dancing is easy to learn. It’s so easy to learn that you don’t take lessons. Just show up at a dance and by the end of the first night you’ll have learned all the dance moves and you will be able to enjoy the next dance even more. People are friendly and welcoming to beginners. The age range is from kids to folks that have been around for a while. Both singles and doubles come to contra dances and women as well as men ask people to dance. It is usual that you change partners after every dance. You will meet people in a relaxed, pleasant, smoke and alcohol free atmosphere. The patterns of the dance can be a tad confusing at first but remember everyone had a first time and that other dancers will help you. Listen to the caller and the music and go with the flow of the dance. Some people find they get dizzy at first. Looking directly at the person you are dancing with eliminates this sensation. For many, the music is what keeps them coming back as it is exciting and lively. People come to dance, hear the music, socialize and have a good time. Adapted from http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html

WHAT TO WEAR? Wear smooth soled shoes and comfortable light weight clothing. Some halls require non-street shoes so make sure the soles of shoes aren’t bringing grit onto the dance floor. Most people bring a bottle of drinking water. Contra dancing is joyous so it’s important that you bring a smile. Adapted from http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html

More information About Contra Dancing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://www.canaaninstitute.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.oshanigans.org/
http://www.notesinegales.org/

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Newark Valley Historical Society website:  http://nvhistory.org/

ELLIS HOLLOW (near ITHACA) NY — We’ll have an awesome array of live music at the Fair, featuring the traditional tunes and songs that have been heard at NY country fairs since pioneer days. We have performances by talented Ellis Hollow musicians, five hours of open jamming, and an open mic hour. Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=274823775863022

Saturday Sept 10, 12 noon - 5 pm 2011
At the Fairground next to the Ellis Hollow Community Center on Genung Road
http://www.ellishollowcc.org/Ellis_Hollow_Fair

JAM TENT, 12 noon - 5 pm
The genres played will depend on who shows up, so bring an acoustic instrument and join us! (In previous years, jams have included New England and Celtic, Southern old-time, Americana, folk and blues…) All levels of expertise are very welcome!.

OPEN MIC, 2-3 pm
If you would like to play or sing at the Performance Tent, please contact Kathy Selby at <ks295@cornell.edu> or Mike Mojo <mojonator9@yahoo.com>. All ages, experience levels, genres and instruments are welcome.

THE PERFORMANCE TENT, 12 noon - 5 pm
Showcasing musicians from the Ellis Hollow area
12-1 Crooked Sixpence (Kathy Selby, Gordon Bonnet and John Wobus) play Celtic and New England tunes on fiddle, flute and keyboard.
1-2 Cielle - Ellis Hollow’s own original singer-songwriter Cielle delivers bluesy vocals over an indie groove.
2-3 Open mic hour - your chance to play or sing for us all!
3-4 Four String Mojo (Mike Mojo and friends) play americana, folk, blues, parlor, rags and ukulele too.
4-5 Ramblin’ Train (Karen O’Brien, Dave Richman and John Young) play Appalachian Bluegrass and Old County from the South, in the Style of Doc Watson, Dan Crary and Tony Rice, on guitars, banjitars and upright bass.

LAST MINUTE UPDATES AT HIS FORUM THREAD http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=4289#4289

Juneteenth 2011  “We Hail from Kings and Queens” Saturday, June 18th 11am-6pm Southside Community Center Plain St & Cleveland Ave

ITHACA NY — Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865 some 2½ years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The Juneteenth celebration in Ithaca began over 10 years ago by a small group of community volunteers and staff at the Southside Community Center. Despite some adverse conditions over the years, the community has come to expect, respect and participate fully in the Juneteenth festival hosted by the Southside Community Center. Indeed it has become an important component of summertime events in Tompkins County. This event has been staffed primarily by volunteers and designed to preserve and promote all aspects of African American heritage through educational and cultural activities that benefit the entire Tompkins County community.

This year’s theme, “We Hail from Kings and Queens” comes to remind us of the ancestry we posses as African Americans and of the rich cultural heritage we share with our brothers and sister of the African Diaspora. The message this theme sends is much needed at this time when a lot of our American youth are struggling with their identity. It is meant to encourage reflection, pride and hope in African Americans and counteract the negative media images that seem to plague the Black community.

The Juneteenth celebration is a time when people of all backgrounds come together to acknowledge and truthfully recognize the history of slavery in this country and its impact on our lives today. Activities to keep children engaged and educated, storytelling and dancing in the street are key components to any celebration. This is especially true for African American heritage celebrations. As told in history when the slaves learned of their freedom on June 19th, 1865, there was jubilation in streets, so has been offered through this celebration the opportunity for attendees to dance in the streets, listen to the stories about Juneteenth, and connect with each other.

The event showcases local talent. Local bands, youth performing groups and other performance artistes provide a rich cultural program that keeps attendees engaged, educated, lifted and having fun. This year we will have Thousands of One, Money Mars, Free Booty Institute, Danylito, Fe Nunn & Friends, The Nomads and a host of young talent who will be performing on our youth stage.

Along with providing an opportunity for neighborhood/community vendors to sell their wares, our Juneteenth celebration also provides a place for community service organizations to showcase their organization and gain exposure with a very diverse population. The event provides a safe, “fun” venue for community members to seek services or information about agencies that can assist them in meeting their needs without fear or intimidation or embarrassment.

Ithaca Festival Acoustic Music Jam Tent ALL DAY Sunday June 5th 2011 at Stewart Park - Come join in!! MAP to find JAM TENT; DETAILS; UPDATES http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=3971#3971

PHOTOS Here are the 2011 Ithaca Festival Parade Photos http://www.canaaninstitute.org/ also 2010, 2009 and 2008 please go here and click the “like” button! https://www.facebook.com/canaaninstitute

Ithaca Festival Jam Tent 2011 - sponsored by Ithaca Guitar Works and Ludgate Farm and Market.

Sunday June 5th 2011 from 11:30 am until 9:00 pm
at Stewart Park at the Jam Tent (near the entrance and family fun
tent). We have 6 jams again this year. These are all jams loosely
related to jam sessions and sings that happen in and around the Ithaca
area on a regular basis. Time slots and band leaders subject to change
at the last minute. See this music forum thread for updates http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=3971#3971

11:30 am - 1:00 pm – CAJUN JAM
(Traditional Cajun maybe a little Zydeco) — The origins of Cajun music
started in the north when the Acadians were forced to migrate from Nova
Scotia to Louisiana in the late 1700’s. This is a rich and unique
American music style. This will be an open acoustic only instrumental
jam as are all the others in the Ithaca Festival Jam Tent listed below.
Contact person: Greg Grodem rjgreg@lightlink.com

1:00 PM - 2:30 pm – SINGING JAM
(Folk Songs) — This is a sing-a-long, where anyone can lead. Songs your
parents sang when you were little, songs you sang at camp, songs that
mean a lot to you right now. Instruments are welcome for back up, but
the focus for this jam is on voices. Bring a song to share, chime in on a
chorus or just listen, everyone is welcome! Contacts: Jim Harper jharper@jimharpermusic.com or Richie Holtz richard_holtz@verizon.net

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm – OLD-TIME JAM
(Appalachian Fiddle Tunes) — Southern old-time music was born when
African rhythms and syncopation began to influence the fiddle dance tune
tradition. Old-time jams often include guitar, clawhammer banjo,
fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, voices, and tapping feet to keep the rhythm.
Tunes are usually passed along by oral tradition, but chord charts are
available for many of the tunes, and musicians of any level are welcome.
The emphasis is on getting into a groove for each tune. Contact: Laura
Taylor lbt1@cornell.edu

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm – BLUEGRASS JAM
(Traditional Bluegrass) — Bluegrass is American roots music comprising
a rich fusion of traditions from the British Isles, jazz, blues, and
country. This jam features fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, dobro,
upright bass, and vocals, and each instrument has the opportunity to
improvise around the melody in wildly creative ways. All skill levels
are welcome! Contact: Philip Robinson philip.robinson@cornell.edu

5:30 pm -7:00 pm – FIDDLE TUNE JAM
(New England, Contra and Assorted Fiddle Tunes) — We will be playing
“fiddle tunes” suitable for contra or square dancing. These tunes
originate from New England, Canada, British Isles and parts of Europe .
This is an open instrumental jam where typical instruments are fiddle,
guitar, mandolin, banjo (4 or 5 string), accordion, acoustic bass and
occasional woodwinds such as flute or clarinet. This group typically
works from the Ithaca “YFN tuneset”. But any fiddle tunes are
approrriate if someone can lead it! All skill levels welcome, come join
us! Contact person: Michael Ludgate michael.ludgate@gmail.com

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – IRISH SESSION
(Traditional Irish) — This session will be run in traditional Irish
session style, which is generally full speed ahead and often stringing 2
or 3 tunes together at a time. All skill levels welcome: the tunes are
fast, but the only way to “get the feel” is to jump in and try! Contact
persons: Ed McGowan, Scott Whitham or Mark Bickford scott.whitham@gmail.com

Each year the Ithaca Festival, a four day arts festival with an attendance of over 10,000 each day, announces it’s theme and launches participant applications on Feb 2. The  2011 theme is ” A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to be held from June 2nd through June 5th. The Festival will feature many theme related activities and performances including theater performances, a Masquerade Ball and community activities throughout the weekend.

Applications for participation in this year’s festival are also released on Feb 2nd on the festival website www.ithacafestival.org. Available applications include Performer, Parade, Volunteer, Food and Craft vendors, Gorges Green Expo vendors, Tabling organizations, and Artist applications. All local bands,performance groups, theater groups, community organizations and businesses are welcome to apply. Most applications deadline March 17th.

For more information email info@ithacafestival .org  or call 607-273-3646

Gift Certificates Available for WVBF

This holiday season, consider giving a great musical experience to your family members and friends who love to play or listen to live acoustic music.  The Winter Village Bluegrass Festival will present fine music in an intimate and warm winter setting.  The Claire Lynch Band features bluegrass music’s leading female singer and her band, along with some of Ithaca and the Finger Lake’s finest acoustic musicians.

We can email you a gift certificate for any of the following options.  Email info@wintervillagebluegrass.com to ensure you receive your certificate before Christmas.

$70 festival Pass (everything except Master Classes)
$50 Saturday-Sunday Pass
$20 Friday Concert (Claire Lynch Band with opening act Terry Burns-Ron Kristy Bluegrass Band)
$25 Saturday Concert (Claire Lynch Band with opening performances by Cornerstone, Jesse Alexander and Rebecca Colleen)
$25 Jam Pass (Friday thru Sunday access to La Tourelle for jamming, workshops, Sat afternoon and Sunday morning concerts)
$50 Master Classes (2 hour classes in fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and vocals on Saturday afternoon with all proceeds to Claire Lynch Band members leading workshops)

Thank you and wishing you a happy holiday season.

For more detailed information on the Winter Village Bluegrass Festival visit  www,wintervillagebluegrass.com