The Twentieth Anniversary
of the Fiddlers' Gathering!
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes (The ARTS) invites you to the Twentieth Annual Fiddlers' Gathering, June 6 and 7 at Watkins Glen State Park's South Pavilion. The Fiddlers' Gathering includes performances in the pavilion and an open Jamming Tent.
The ARTS began the Fiddlers' Gathering to provide a place for Old Time musicians to come together, share tricks and skills, and keep their music alive. Traditional artists throughout the region have created a community that honors and preserves our local heritage while nurturing young musicians. Fiddlers' continues to be a community event and is free with the cost of admission to the park.
In honor of its 20th season, Fiddlers' is bigger and better than ever! The Jamming Tent is free and open to the public. This year it is facilitated by Valley Folk Music and will run both days of the Gathering. Bring an acoustic instrument or just clap your hands.
There will be free workshops open to everyone in the Jamming Tent. Saturday's workshops include: fiddling for children with Jesse Alexander, fiddling for beginning adults with Jessica Boss, and a workshop for fiddle and guitar with Henry Jankiewicz and Harvey Nusbaum. On Sunday, Laura Orshaw will offer a free workshop for advanced fiddlers at 1:00 in the Jamming Tent. "Old- Time music was available for all, young and old," explains Connie Sullivan-Blum, Folk Arts Coordinator at The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. "Fiddlers' Gathering wants to maintain that tradition. Everyone is encouraged to learn and participate."
Four bands perform in the South Pavilion on Saturday, June 6, including John Cadley and the Lost Boys who will kick off the Gathering at 1:00, followed by the Salt Potatoes at 2:30, the Jesse Alexander Band at 4:00, and The Boss Tones who will close the day at 5:30. On Sunday, June 7, Jackie Hobbs and the Clemens Tradition will fire up the Pavilion at 1:00, followed by Kate Lee with No Strings Attached at 2:30, and Summer Reign Trio with Laura Orshaw at 4:00. Pat Kane and Finger Lakes Folk will close the festival at 5:30 with traditional Irish tunes.
The Fiddlers' Gathering is free with the price of admission to the park, six dollars per vehicle. Pack a lunch and bring lawn chairs. The pavilion and restrooms are handicap accessible.
Fiddlers' is supported in part by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts; Schuyler and Steuben counties; and Chemung Canal Trust Company. For more information call Connie Sullivan-Blum at The ARTS 607-962-5871 x222 or email folkarts@earts.org.
