2010 Old-Time Fiddlers' Gathering
Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes (The ARTS) invites you to the 21st Annual Old-Time Fiddlers' Gathering on June 19 and 20 at Watkins Glen State Park in the South Pavilion.  Come play a tune with new friends, dance at an Irish ceili, and learn a bowing technique at a fiddle workshop. The Fiddlers' Gathering features performances in the South Pavilion, workshops with master musicians, and an open Jamming Tent.  The event is free and open to the public with the cost of admission to the park.

The focus of the Fiddlers' Gathering this year is the Irish influence on local musical traditions.  One hundred-fifty years ago, Irish immigrants settling in the Finger Lakes region found solace and entertainment at Old Time community dances.  The event will feature several traditional Irish bands including Pat Kane with Finger Lakes Folk.  Pat and his sister, Bridget Burke, will coordinate a traditional Irish ceili, or dance party, drawing on the spirit of their grandfather's ceilis.  Other Irish bands that will be featured at Fiddlers' include a promising young band, Lux Bridge, and the amazing group, Traonach.  The line-up also includes such notable bands as John Cadley and the Lost Boys, Great Bear Trio, The Homegrown String Band, The Jesse Alexander Band, and The BossTones. 

The Jamming Tent is open to the public.  It is facilitated by Valley Folk Music and will run both days of the Gathering.  Bring an acoustic instrument or just clap your hands.  In addition, there will be free workshops with master musicians open to everyone.   Some of the topics include fiddling for beginners, bowing techniques, and beginning banjo.  "The Fiddlers' Gathering is a community of musicians and music lovers," explains Connie Sullivan-Blum, Folk Arts Coordinator at The ARTS.  "Everyone who comes learns a little bit and has a lot of fun."

This is a great family event.  Pack a lunch and bring lawn chairs.  The pavilion and restrooms are handicap accessible.

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is the leading arts services and development agency in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties.  The Fiddlers' Gathering is supported in part by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, Chemung Canal Trust Company and Schuyler and Steuben counties.  For more information call Connie Sullivan-Blum at The ARTS 607-962-5871 x222, email folkarts@earts.org, or visit /index.asp?pageId=69.

Pictured above: Lux Bridge
Pictured below: The Homegrown String Band

###

Jesse Alexander
is a dynamic fiddler made all the more extraordinary by his youthfulness.  Jesse is only 11 years old.  Jesse began playing the fiddle at 5 years old and picked up the mandolin a few years later.  His band includes his father, Andy Alexander on banjo, his mother, Susan Alexander on bass and Darryl Lesh on guitar and dobro.

The BossTones
Jessica Boss learned old-time music from her grandfather. Jessica, her husband, guitarist Darcy Collins, and bassist Jack Metzger, are the Boss Tones. Not only does Jessica play a dynamic fiddle, she is also a middle school music teacher!  Jessica runs a Fiddle Club for the students at her school exposing them to traditional musical forms.

John Cadley and the Lost Boys
John taught himself to play guitar when he was 13 years old.  He brings passion and a pathos to his music which is unparalleled.  Henry Jankiewicz made his name as an outstanding old-time, bluegrass and jazz fiddler during his 15-year stint with the Cranberry Lake Jug Band.  The band is rounded out by Mark Allnatt, John Dancks, and Ted Williams.

Great Bear Trio
Brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand display a mature and seasoned musicality beyond their years. The core of Great Bear's instrumentation has always been twin fiddles and piano (ably supplied by mother Kim) but the line up is frequently augmented by mandolins, guitars, banjo and an assortment of percussion including the African djembe and the Australian didgeridoo.

The Homegrown String Band
What happens when you turn off your television?  You get homegrown music.  Inspired by the rural string bands of the early 20th century, this 21st century incarnation of the traditional family band utilizes unique instrumentation including guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, mandolin, banjo-ukulele, harmonica, jawharp, doumbek, and percussive dance.

Pat Kane and Finger Lakes Folk
was raised in the traditions of the Grange and of his Irish family. On fiddle, guitar, and bodhran, he plays jigs, reels, square dances, and hundreds of ballads from Ireland and America.  Pat has twice won first place for singing at the NYC Fleadh Cheoil.

Lux Bridge
If you enjoy toe-tapping, foot stomping, high energy Celtic music, Lux Bridge is the acoustic band for you! This trio is comprised of Kate Brosky on fiddle, Kerrin Kampa on wooden flute and whistle, and Chris Carithers on guitar. These dynamic musicians honor the traditional Celtic sound while incorporating each member's musical influences. Lux Bridge's infectious sound and spirit are sure to bring out the "Irish" in anyone!

Traonach
"A deep knowledge and love of the music and a palpable zest for playing." Dirty Linen Magazine .....Traonach is a fortunate meeting of talented session musicians from around the USA who have all, to their own amazement, ended up living in the small city of Ithaca, New York. This group of lads reminds you what Irish music is all about.