Swanannoa Gathering - Guitar Week and Contemporary Folk Week Begins Today

July 26 - August 1, 2015    Swanannoa Gathering - Guitar Week and Contemporary Folk Week  One of the finest programs of its kind anywhere, staffed by some of the world’s best players and instructors.  

New instructors this year include Clive Carroll, Dakota Dave Hull, Bill Cooley, Allen Shadd, Jonathan Brown and Josh Goforth. Classes will be offered in a wide variety of styles ranging from Celtic and bossa nova to jazz and blues.   

Contemporary Folk Week celebrates this 23rd Gathering with another group of great artist/instructors offering a wide variety of classes designed to put music back where it belongs – in your hands.

Swanannoa Gathering for Mandolin, Banjo and Fiddle Begins Today

Date: August 3 - 9, 2014 : Swanannoa Gathering - Mando and Banjo Week and Fiddle Week Classes in two of the instruments that are at the core of several of the most popular folk genres, including bluegrass, old-time, Irish and Scottish, as well as some of the more adventurous blendings of traditional and jazz flavors known variously as ‘newgrass’ or ‘new acoustic’ music. Fiddle Week at the Swannanoa Gathering celebrates the universality of the fiddle with classes in traditional and contemporary styles ranging from Irish to Mexican, from Cajun to blues.

Public Concerts:

Monday, August 4, 2014: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert I

Featuring Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Liz Knowles, Jeremy Kittel, Matt Flinner, Caterina Lichtenberg, Anne Lederman, Lisa Gutkin, David Surette and, Juan Rivera, in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.
General admission tickets: $20, under 12 $10. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert II

Featuring Michael Doucet, Joe Craven, Bruce Molsky, Barbara Lamb, Bob Carlin, Kevin Kehrberg, Michael Ismerio, Julia Weatherford, Steve Baughman, Natalya Weinstein, Adam Tanner, in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.
General admission tickets: $20, under 12 $10. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert III

Featuring Tony Trischka, Woody Paul, Alan Munde, Emory Lester, John Reischman,
Don Stiernberg, Mark Johnson, Ned Luberecki, Andy Stein, Tony Marcus, Ed Dodson in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.
General admission tickets: $20, under 12 $10. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.


Swanannoa is a suburb of Asheville NC.  

 

The Annual Swananoa Gathering Begins Today in Asheville

July 7 - 13   Swanannoa Gathering - Traditional Songs   A comprehensive program completely devoted to traditional styles of singing. Unlike programs where singing takes a back seat to the instrumentalists, it is the entire focus of this week, which aims to help restore the power of songs within the larger traditional music scene. This year’s program has several new features. The week’s first night will feature the Gathering’s own Grand Ole Opry, with folks who have performed regularly on the Nashville stage. “Too Slim” from Riders in the Sky will emcee the evening with his hilarious Opry humor and his upright bass.

For the sixth year, Traditional Song Week presents a gathering of highly influential singers and musicians who have remained devoted over the years to preserving and promoting traditional song.

This year’s program has several new features: The week’s first night will feature the Gathering’s own Grand Ole Opry, with folks who have performed regularly on the Nashville stage. “Too Slim” from Riders in the Sky will emcee the evening with his hilarious Opry humor and his upright bass. Bring your boots and hats.

The evening will also introduce the first Traditional Comic Song Contest in which students will have an opportunity to share their funniest versions of traditional songs. The Community Gathering time each day affords  the opportunity to experience together as a group diverse topics on the shared love of traditional song.

Several days will be hosted by NPR’s legendary broadcaster, Fiona Ritchie of The Thistle & Shamrock. She will conduct interviews to be aired on the radio with Brian McNeill from Scotland, Cathie Ryan from Ireland, and a panel of staff discussing the future of traditional song. One day Swannanoa’s own Beth Magill will be highlighted, an artist who has influenced many by her life of music.

This year classes in singing with instruments (guitar, fiddle, mandolin) and song accompaniment will also be highlighted as  Dáithí Sproule (guitarist for Irish super-group Altan) and new staff member Brian Christianson from Nashville (who performs weekly on the Grand Ole Opry with the Mike Snider Band) are welcomed.

There will also be classes in bluegrass (taught by seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley), blues (taught by Ben Wiley Payton from Mississippi, where the blues originated), gospel, songs of Ireland, Scotland and England, cowboy songs and songs of the frontier (taught by the finest yodeler on the Grand Ole Opry, Ranger Doug), North Carolina mountain ballads, songwriting in the tradition, finding your voice and choosing your songs, shape-note singing, duet harmony, community singing, camp meeting songs and more! The week will also feature nightly concerts and singing sessions, the Old Farmers Ball dance, a children’s program, ample opportunities to mix with other singers, and mid-day Community Gathering times.

If you love NC heritage music either as  musician or a listener, this week of education events and concerts is a "must" and most popular event.