Many Ithaca world-music enthusiasts might not be aware that there is a musical ensemble in Ithaca that specializes in music of the Middle East.  The Cornell Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Music Ensemble (CMEMME) was co-founded in the summer of 2002 by Marty Hatch, music professor and ethnomusicologist at Cornell, and local middle-eastern music expert and multi-instrumental wizard Nikolai Ruskin.  Originally the group consisted of 12 people, and was known as the Cornell Middle Eastern Music Ensemble (CMEME).  Rehearsals took place in Marty Hatch’s barn on Monday evenings.

By Fall 2002 the ensemble became part of the Cornell curriculum as a one-credit ensemble course. Eventually rehearsals moved to Lincoln Hall at Cornell University. Gail Holst-Warhaft, a Cornell scholar who is an expert on Mediterranean cultures in general and Greek music in particular, joined the group as a co-director and vocalist. The ensemble now numbers at about  fifteen to twenty participants each semester. They are living up to their name by continuously expanding their repertoire to include a broader range of music from various cultures in and around the Middle East, including Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Arabic, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, and other music from the region.

In the fall of 2006 CMEME was officially renamed the Cornell Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Music Ensemble, reflecting an increased interest in Turkish, Greek, and Armenian music by the ensemble. In the spring of 2007 musical direction was taken over from Nikolai (who had moved to Brooklyn to pursue other musical career opportunities) by Atakan Sari.  Atakan has a wide-ranging knowledge of all kinds of musical cultures throughout the middle east, in addition to being a virtuoso classical pianist.  He also plays the Turkish kemanche and the Armenian duduk.

The presence of CMEMME has created a growing interest in music from the Middle East, as well as a network of friends who share a love of the music. Cornell’s diverse student population makes it possible for CMEMME to explore a wide variety of music. The ensemble’s membership includes Ithaca residents, Cornell students and faculty of diverse nationalities and cultures, who all contribute by assisting with translations, gathering recordings, and coaching the non-native speakers with diction for singing. CMEMME also collaborates on events with student cultural groups to bring music to a wider audience on campus. The Cornell Middle Eastern Music and Mediterranean Music Ensemble is supported by the Department of Near Eastern Studies, the Music Department, and the Martin Hatch Foundation.

The ensemble is always looking for more members!  Currently we have an epecially great need for percussionists, singers, and string players.  But musicians of any kind, whether they currently know anything about middle eastern music or not, are encouraged to join us.  The ensemble includes musicians of varying skill levels, from expert players to some who are just learning an instrument.

CMEMME’s website is http://www.arts.cornell.edu/cmeme/.  If you would like to be included on our events and news email mailing list, please send a message to eje4@cornell.edu and ask to be put on the CMEMME news list.

CMEMME will be playing a free concert on Saturday December 6th, at 2:30 PM in the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell.  The program will focus on songs from Istanbul, and will include Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and Ladino songs from this great multicultural city.  Please join us! Ensemble directed by Atakan Sari with special guest perfomers: Engin Gunaydin, Harold Hagopian, Emrah Kanisicak,, Murat Keyder

FORUM THREAD http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2207#2207

Don’t let the title scare you. What Richard Thompson did for the guitar, Myra Kovary has done for the harp. This recording is a relaxing journey through some of the most popular tunes of time. Where Thompson was reacting to an tongue-in-cheek challenge from Rolling Stone (what were the most popular songs of the last thousand years?), Kovary has invited us in to listen to fifteen of her favorite tunes through time. This is an invitation you don’t want to turn down.

Ithaca harpist, Myra Kovary has played harp with orchestras across New York, for the Dali Lama during his 1991 visit to Ithaca, and at the United Nations for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She has several recordings with flautist Laura Campbell, including music composed specially for her by Laurie Conrad. This is a harpist who plays well with others. Kovary’s first solo CD, In Pursuit of Happiness, allows her considerable talent and technique to shine.

Popping this CD into the player is the musical equivalent of pouring yourself a cup of tea, settling into a comfy chair, and having someone rub your shoulders. There’s something magical about the sound of harp - the variations of tone and color, the resonance of the strings, the range of sound that can be produced in the hands of a master. Myra’s new solo CD lets allows the voice of the harp to have our full attention. Thanks to masterful engineering by Will Russell at Electric Wilburland Studios, each note rings clear.

The songs Kovary presents are so familiar that each one is a visit with an old friend. And yet, the harp arrangements are fresh and new, letting us know that these old friends have something new to express. From 16th century Pavan and traditional Welsh and English songs, through Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy, all the way to Stephen Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns, Kovary presents a tour which is sure to further anyone’s pursuit of happiness. This CD is the perfect gift for that someone in your life who could use  some time to relax.

Come on out to and Old Time and Cajun Dance Night and dance to incredible Old Time Music of Pearls and Swine (Hogwashers and Pearly Snaps) and for an hour in the middle of the evening wonderful Cajun music by Bayou Road Krewe headed by the fabulous fiddling of Susi Mills!

Old Time Square Dance Night this Saturday, November 15 , 2008 starting at 7:30 pm. Music by Pearls and Swine (Steve Selin, Joe Damiano, Jason Zorn, Rosie Newton and Stephanie Jenkins) with Bayou Road Krewe playing Cajun tunes for an hour in the middle for your listening, waltzing and two stepping pleasure. Dance caller: Nancy Spero Come to dance or listen! Location: Close Hall, 8 miles north of Ithaca on Route 96 in Jacksonville NY $7 suggested donation, beginners welcome, no partner needed. For more information, contact Nancy Spero 273-6603 or Steve Selin 272-9862

These dances have been happening for a while as you can tell by perusing the forum thread here http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?t=383. There you will see this nice little write up from local fiddler Steve Selin: “If you haven’t been to one of the dances I figured I’d describe it a bit. The BYOB dance is set in an old Grange hall built some time (guessing…) about 100 years ago. Upstairs the second-floor was made for dance parties – wood floor, little stage, low light. It’s cozy. We put together a band of musicians to play fiddle tunes, and old-time country songs. Some for listening, or 2-stepping or waltzing or whatever you want to do. The fiddle tunes propel the square dances that Nancy calls (small groups of 8 people, following figures that are shouted out). Even if you’ve never danced or think square dancing is something better left to elementary school gym class, you might just realize that it’s a ton of fun.”

Fall Step Concert - Cornell’s most exciting dance groups Sat Nov. 15. From local dance instructor  Kurt Lichtmann “To celebrate my 2nd 30th birthday, we have put together a challenging and funny choreography to the Beach Boys song “Fun Fun Fun,” a favorite of my dance partner for this routine, teaching assistant Vicki Alexander. Vicki is a CU varsity pole vaulter, captain of the Cornell Marching Band Colour Guard, and she is quite athletic! So, we have a pile of flips, aerials and dips - some of my favorites, plus a few which I have never dared to try before, and the climactic move is pretty strange and amusing - I originally saw it in Lindy Hop Champion performance in Boston, But it took us a long time to figure out how to do the crazy thing! Finally, the CU Gymnastics coach helped us put the final piece in place. Anyway, the routine has gotten good response from our students. Of course, we have videoed every rehearsal since April, adding, deleting, tweaking. Come see us - our jumpswing choreography rocks, and it is funny (assuming I survive it - so far, so good!). FALL STEP 2009, Cornell’s biggest annual student dance club extravaganza - Saturday, November 15, 4:30pm at Cornell’s Bailey Hall, Ithaca NY.

FALL STEP is a highly popular annual benefit featuring Cornell’s finest and most exciting dance groups, with amazing talent! Hosted by Shadows Dance Troupe, FALL STEP 2009 features Shadows, On Tap, Sabor Latino, Raas, Rooftop Mayhem Jumpswing, Pandora, Phenomenon, Sitara, Yamatai, On Tap, Impact, BASE, Bhangra, Teszia, and Azero, performing modern, jazz, tap, bhangra, hip hop, jumpswing/lindy, african, belly dance, hiphop, salsa, and more! Saturday, November 15, 4:30pm, Bailey Hall, Cornell Campus, Ithaca NY - Tickets are $8 students, $9 public. Come!”

Kurt
http://www.ithacadance.com/

My first pick for my new blog “Local CDs That Shouldn’t Be Missed” is Pamela Goddard’s 2005 release “As Time Draws Near.” Pamela Goddard is that rare bird, the singer’s singer. With her mesmerizing mezzo-contralto, Goddard’s voice evokes a time long past, and “As Time Draws Near” is a gem you should listen to today. Goddard hails from a music-loving family, and her selection of songs shows her reverence for and keen knowledge of traditional songs. The songs of “As Time Draws Near” are English and Celtic in origin, and many were collected by archivists and song collectors in rural areas of the eastern United States in twentieth century field recordings. To hear Goddard sing these songs and bring them to life is a transporting experience.

Not too many singers can sing confidently without accompaniment, but Goddard’s voice is a distinctive and lyrical instrument, just fine on its own. In this ProTools age it is refreshing to hear the simple, organic loveliness of a human voice without the distractions of compression and auto-tuning. Throughout the CD, Goddard’s voice remains the focal instrument, with tasteful and well-placed harmonies by Glenda and Jim Blake, and musical stylings of guitarist Gail Blake and fiddler Jennifer Dotson. “As Time Draws Near” can be purchased on Goddard’s website at www.pamgoddard.com and, of course, at Ludgate Farms.

Lisa Ann Wright

The email newsletter tends to be more up to date than the web page (here http://www.ludgatefarms.com/musicnt.htm). I keep updates and corrections on my computer desktop and email out whatever is here about once a day. So if you like to know the latest, get on the email list … otherwise click in :-)

If you are looking for a winter folk festival: the lineup here looks interesting — in NYC this weekend — http://www.minstrelrecords.com/fmsny/eisteddfod/index.html

Local listings for SAT and SUN have been updated. Scroll down. Email me your gig if you are not there and want to be! :-)

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Wed Nov 12    Djug Django at the Lost Dog Café 6-9 pm http://www.lostdogcafe.net/ithaca/events/ and http://www.watershed-arts.com/djug.html

Wed Nov 12    Linda Stout at Collegetown Bagels - Acoustic WED’s

Wed Nov 12    Nate and Kate on THE MR & MRS TOUR — WED Nov 12th at The Pourhouse in Trumansburg, NY www.nateandkatemusic.com and www.cdbaby.com/cd/natekate Nate & Kate LivE! (Epsiode #1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TndKLFs-3gk

Wed Nov 12    Open Jam at Canaan Rd (Mike’s) - Traditional Celtic and American dance tunes - Newcomers welcome - All instruments: Guitars, Mandos, Banjos etc … welcome! EVERY Wednesday 7:00 - 9:30 pm INFO http://www.ludgatefarms.com/mus_jamcann.html and/or email Mike mailto:michael@canaaninstitute.org BLOG http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=3

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Thu Nov 13    Candor Jam - http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=1421#1421 see forum thread for directions — also http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=407

Thu Nov 13    Country soul  Thu 11/13 7:00 pm Frozen Sonar at The Pourhouse in Trumansburg NY

Thu Nov 13    Nate and Kate on THE MR & MRS TOUR — THUR, Nov 13th at Spot Coffee in Rochester, NY www.nateandkatemusic.com and www.cdbaby.com/cd/natekate Nate & Kate LivE! (Epsiode #1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ59qUDJvw4

Thu Nov 13    NMPERIGN — “unknown through the more unknown” — Thursday, November 13 8:30 pm NMPERIGN (Boston) with Bhob Rainey — soprano sax, Greg Kelley — trumpet. A.P. Tate — electronics (Ithaca) No Radio Records 312 E. Seneca St. Downtown Ithaca, NY FREE / All Ages — FULL STORY   http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2184#2184 — “nmperign’s music seems to unwind as two parallel soundtracks being put in line by a kind of Leibnizian god. The duo has a disturbing (turmoil) serenity; they seem to have been set up in this new monadology for an eternity. For me, there is nothing to be called ‘minimal’ in their music, in their choice of low and dangerously weak sounds. It would be nonsense to call this music ‘minimal’; on the contrary, their way of making music refines our senses and gives precision to a double movement of internalization and openmindedness. So space is opened and landmarks disappear.” Philippe Alen, Improjazz — see also http://www.ithacatimesartsblog.com/2008/11/12/final-popcorn-youth-show-of-the-year-nmperign-at-no-radio/

Thu Nov 13    Open Jazz Night w/ Neal Massa Trio 930 at The ABC Cafe 308 Stewart Ave Ithaca, NY 607.351.6430 www.theabccafe.com and myspace.com/theabccafe

Thu Nov 13    The Cos (formerly known as The Settlers) 6:30 pm –  the local music duo comprised of songwriter/guitarist Cosmo Alpern and drummer Felix Teitelbaum, will play tonight at No Radio Records. This early show will begin at 6:30pm. In the last year, Cos has played increasingly weirder and more appealing lo-fi folk-pop songs that remind of Guided By Voices or Neil Young, and seeing him live is always a real treat. Also don’t miss the separate nmperign show scheduled for later tonight same venue, at 9pm. Both shows are free and open to the public. The Cos at No Radio Records 6:30 pm 312 E. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY — Free / All ages — http://www.myspace.com/thesettlers

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Fri Nov 14    Avett Brothers at the State Theatre! – It’s a good thing the Avett Brothers are musicians. Otherwise we’re pretty sure they’d be locked up somewhere…energy like that can’t be put to any other use. It’s guerilla old-time, with punk rock rhythms, harrowing lyrics and and gratifying caustic three-part harmonies. They cut you the bone and heal you to the core, and we just can’t get enough. Think early Beatles, the Clash, Ralph Stanley and Bela Fleck in a blender… http://www.stateofithaca.com/avettbrothers/index.html

Fri Nov 14    Brooks Binau at The ABC Cafe 308 Stewart Ave Ithaca, NY 607.351.6430 www.theabccafe.com and myspace.com/theabccafe

Fri Nov 14    Contra Dance every Friday at Bethel Grove Community Center 8 pm $6- Nov.14: Pamela Goddard w/ Wild Rose This energetic and popular Binghamton band wows Bethel Grove every time they play. Great fiddle, clarinet, and rhythm section! dance links http://www.ludgatefarms.com/mus_dance.html

Fri Nov 14    Driftwood Groove  ,Fri 11/14 7:00 pm, Dan Forsyth & Joe Kollar, The Pourhouse, in Trumansburg, NY

Fri Nov 14    Friday at Felicia’s with Henrie, Manning and Friends 5:30-8:30 pm http://www.atomicloungeithaca.com/calendar.php HENRY, MANNING AND FRIENDS. Henrie, Manning and Friends is an acoustic trio playing high energy music in the bluegrass tradition. The band features the flatpicking guitar playing of Bobby Henrie (Bobbie Henrie and the Goners, Tres Swing), fiddling of Rick Manning (Contradictions) and bass accompaniment of Doug Henrie (Woodshed All Stars, Tres Swing).  $2 Yuenglings, $4 Cosmos/Lychees/Bloodys, and $2 Drunken Dogs boiled with beer and topped with homemade ketchup, homemade mustard and homemade cucumber-zucchini relish.  No cover. www.myspace.com/bobbyhenrieandthegoners

Fri Nov 14    Greg McQuade and Gary MacDowell bring smooth jazz to the café with all donations from the evening going to the Kitchen Cupboard food pantry! At the Dryden Community Center Cafe Dryden

Fri Nov 14    Jamie Notarthomas, Tom Stahl, from Buffalo, and Juliet Lloyd on Friday, Nov. 14, we’ve got a great night of original music at the Words and Music Songwriter Showcase in Syracuse. http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2180#2180

Fri Nov 14    Latino Dinner and Music — Post-Election Fiesta and Fundraiser — Sponsored by the Central New York chapter of the Colombia Support Network. Funds will support Cajibio, our sister community in southern Colombia. Friday, November 14 6:30-8:30pm Workers Center 115 The Commons, Ithaca (above Autumn Leaves Bookstore) Celebrate our Solidarity with the Colombians’ — Mobilization for Change — Suggested donation: $10-$50 Dinner provided by La Cocina Latina For info: bharris@ithaca.edu Print by Jafeth Gomez Ledesma POSTER! :-) http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/fiesta_color-4-4.pdf AND MORE HERE http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2186#2186

Fri Nov 14    Li’l Anne and Hot Cayenne at The Rongovian Embassy Trumansburg, NY 9 pm $10- cover

Fri Nov 14    Raquy and the Cavemen at the Cafe Oasis in Binghamton on November 14, at 9:00 PM.  The address is 19 S. Washington St.  They will be joined by guest dancer Donia (a.k.a. Denise Robinson) from Ithaca. Before the show Raquy Danziger will be teaching a drumming workshop at 7:00 PM at The Dancers’ Studio, 10 S. Washington St., Binghamton. Show only $10.  Show + workshop $25.

Fri Nov 14    The Southern Tier Swing Dance Society will be sponsoring a live band swing dance this Friday, Nov 14th, at the Endicott American Legion. The Dance will run from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. The doors will open at about 7:30. The music will be supplied by The Parlor Cats, who have played for these dances many times before. Admission is still only $5.00.

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Sat Nov 15    Birthday Party and Music Jam for Dannielle S. — in Bing — anybody heading down that way? Want more info? Email Mike!

Sat Nov 15    CORNELL FOLK SONG SOCIETY SING Saturday November 15, potluck (6:30 pm) and singing party (8:00 pm). 194 Old Peruville Rd, Groton. Call Kathy or Peter (607-898-3030) for directions. Need a ride?  Call Sophia at (607) 351-4763.

Sat Nov 15    Judy Gold – Saturday November 15th at 8 pm www.judygold.com Homer Center for the Arts Homer NY http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=1986#1986

Sat Nov 15    Lisa Ann Wright with Jan Nigro and special guests Angela Comprone at ABC Cafe November 15th, 10PM/admission free $5 suggested donation — Contemporary folk artist Lisa Ann Wright is a returned upstate New Yorker, coming home to her roots after living in NYC, DC and Virginia. Lisa’s CD “Sweet Bye & Bye” won the 2007 Wammie for Debut Album. “Sing Out!” Magazine says “This is a very classy album.” Jan Nigro is an award-winning singer/songwriter, teacher and musical performer. Lisa and Jan and their special guests will play songs from Lisa’s CD and some of her new ones, with a few longstanding traditional favorites as well.  http://www.lisawrightsongs.com/

Sat Nov 15    Pearl’s Basement  ,Sat 11/15 7:00 pm, Uniit Carruyo & friends, The Pourhouse, in Trumansburg, NY

Sat Nov 15    Square Dance at Close Hall Jacksonville NY - November 15.  Steve Selin and Friends, Nancy Spero calling Old Time Squares — http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2130#2130 — Music: Pearls and Swine (Steve Selin, Joe Damiano, Rosie Newton, Jason Zorn and Stephanie Jenkins) with Bayou Road Krewe playing Cajuns tunes for an hour in the middle for your listening, waltzing and two stepping pleasure. POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/Square_Dance_Close_Hall.pdf

Sat Nov 15    Syracuse Contra http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/ Sarah VanNorstrand Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand NOTE ALTERNATE LOCATION: Madison Hall in Morrisville, NY

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Sun Nov 16    Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand of the Great Bear Trio is the featured band for the Sunday, November 16, 4-7PM, contra and square dance at Tioga Trails Café, corner of Lake and Main, Owego.  — http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2138#2138

Sun Nov 16    JACK HARDY AND DAVID MASSENGILL — THE FOLK BROTHERS.  What a surprise!  Two prominent downstate singer-songwriters, both well known to the Bound for Glory audience, have teamed up and formed a duo that’s traveling the whole country.  They’ll sing some of their own songs, some from other writers, some traditional material, and we’ll have some marvelous interplay between seasoned, good humored folk singers. WVBR’S BOUND FOR GLORY Sunday nights from 8 to 11, with live sets at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30.  Admission at Anabel Taylor Hall is free and is open to everyone in the area.  Kids are always welcome. Refreshments are available. http://wvbr.com

Sun Nov 16    Maxie’s has live music every TUE and SUN 6-10 pm http://www.maxies.com/events.html

Sun Nov 16    Nate and Kate on THE MR & MRS TOUR — SUN, Nov 16th at Starry Nites Café in Rochester, NY www.nateandkatemusic.com and www.cdbaby.com/cd/natekate Nate & Kate LivE! (Epsiode #1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ59qUDJvw4

Sun Nov 16    Old-time southern fiddle tune jam. Every Sunday at various homes Ithaca area 4-7 pm. Email Mike for more info.

Sun Nov 16    Sunday at Felicia’s with Liz Stahler and Brianna Lane www.lizstahler.com, www.briannalanemusic.com 7 pm http://www.atomicloungeithaca.com/calendar.php LIZ STAHLER AND BRIANNA LANE. See Brianna and Liz on their “Boston to Austin” tour! Brianna Lane strums an acoustic guitar with the same sweetness and power in which she sings. Liz Stahler is raw, real and undeniably talented. Her voice is mesmerizing, and truly unique, her songs memorable and beautifully crafted. $5 pizzas and $1 off all menu drinks on Sundays.  No cover.  www.lizstahler.com,  www.briannalanemusic.com

Sun Nov 16    World-Renowned Estonian Choir and Orchestra at Bailey Hall - Cornell Concert Series presents the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, with founding director Tõnu Kaljuste conducting - Sunday, November 16, 2008 – Bailey Hall, 8 p.m. http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=2166#2166

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“We want all our dance events to have a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Each of us started as a beginner, so we want to show the same patience and caring for each newcomer. No dance snobs please! This is now a specific goal of our organization, not just a wish.” — The Dance Flurry Organization September 2007

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Web and server space for “Mikes-Music” donated by ludgatefarms.com, canaaninstitute.org and icycle.org

LOCAL FOOD PLUG — Ludgate Farms http://ludgatefarms.com/ is my family’s farm market and natural food store. We have been selling local, organic and specialty food items for over 35 years. We are open 7 days a week from 9 am - 9 pm, have easy free parking and a bike rack for cyclists! Support our community projects like this list-serve and web space by supporting our store! Even small purchases make a difference to small retailers like us! Thanks in advance for your patronage! -Mike :-)

Thanks for reading,
Mike :-)

Do the contra and square dancers of Central New York know about this new group and others like it on Facebook? http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31552309563

“For Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton and Upstate Central NY - Anybody [who is on Facebook] can join! :-)

This is a Facebook group to spread awareness to the general music and dance community about what a great place Ithaca and Central NY is for contra and square dancing. Contra dancing revolves around but is not limited to traditional fiddle dance tunes - it is very fun music! The dances are always taught and it is suitable for all ages. It is currently regaining popularity among college aged dancers. The Ithaca dances draw a very nice cross section of the dance community and the musicians and callers are some of the best around!”

You will find if you join a group like this, they list other similar groups in the right column. There is one for Open Dance Bands, one for Dance Flurry and etc …

See this link for a BLOG article on New York and new England’s first and [only?] Open Band Waltzing event http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=221

Also the comment section of that same article for the Friday Night Contra dance schedule http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=221#comment-72

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band at 8 pm on Saturday November 8th at Call Auditorium in Kennedy Hall at Cornell Ag Quad., Ithaca NY $15 advance/$17 door; rebates at door

Whatever tricks or treats Halloween and Election Day may bring, the Cornell Folk Song Society ends its fall season with a walloping treat: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and their Family Band. If their names don’t immediately seem familiar, their music is: Jay & Molly gained international acclaim, plus a Grammy, for their work on Ken Burns’ Civil War. Their rendition of Jay’s achingly beautiful Ashokan Farewell, theme of that PBS series, won an Emmy nomination and inspired a host of fiddlers to add this soulful waltz to their repertoire. These beloved performers take their listeners on a celebratory journey from stirring Celtic, Appalachian, and Cajun songs and fiddle tunes, to Civil War classics, to sassy songs from the golden age of swing and country, to deeply moving original compositions. Jay Ungar’s fiddling is world renowned; Molly Mason’s voice is silky and her rhythm true. For warmth, wit, and top-notch musicianship, Jay & Molly have no equals. They have appeared on PBS’s Great Performances and A Prairie Home Companion, and have contributed soundtracks for many films and documentaries. Many folks from the Ithaca region and nationwide make pilgrimages to the Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camps that they have run for many years in the Hudson Valley. When Jay & Molly play in Ithaca, it feels like the return of family members.

The pleasure will double at this concert with the addition of the next generation of the family: Ruthy Ungar and Mike Merenda, founders of The Mammals, who joined Pete Seeger on his recent “At 89″ recording. With free-wheeling joy, fire, and political commitment, Ruthy & Mike energetically merge old and new songs for a fresh, timeless sound. Their motto: “Trad is rad.”

You won’t want to miss this passionate mix of fine voices, guitars, fiddles, piano, banjo, uke, and mandolin, delivered with skill, love for tradition, and unbeatable audience rapport.

Tickets: Ludgate Farms, Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar Co-op, Small World Music, Bound for Glory, online www.cornellfolksong.org/, or by mail (SASE to CFSS, Box 481, Ithaca, NY 14851). Rebates at door for CFSS members ($3), seniors and teens ($2). CU student admission $12. Children12 and under free. Info: 607-351-4763.

–Margaret Shepard

Driftwood at The ABC Cafe Nov. 7th at 308 Stewart Ave Ithaca, NY 607.351.6430 www.theabccafe.com and www.myspace.com/theabccafe

Coming from many different musical backgrounds, the members of Driftwood have reinvented the songs of traditional American roots music by blending them with the sounds, feel and subject matter of modern and world music. Driftwood’s virtuosity is matched by their versatility and they are able to play sweet and sultry ballads with as much drive and passion as an up-tempo whiskey-fuelled romp.

“Driftwood draws you into their world by mixing clever lyrics with beautiful melodies. They delight listeners and leave them begging for one more song.” -Michael Kinney-WSKG TV

“Man you ultimate funky!” -George Clinton-Parliament Funkadelic