Calendar of Events

 

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January

21 Jane Farwell Night, 6:30 pm

February  

4   Old-time Barn Dance with Chirps Smith & Dot Kent, 6:30 pm potluck

7   Open Mic, 7 pm

18  Round Robin Quilt Kickoff, Saturday Night Social: 6:30 pm potluck

March   

2   The Foghorn Stringband Concert, doors 7:00, concert: 7:00 pm

3   Old Time Barn Dance with The Pie City Ramblers and Jesse Downs, 6:30 pm potluck

6   First Tuesday Open Mic, 7:00 pm, donations appreciated

9-11 Spring Swedish Music & Dance Weekend with guests Leif & Margareta Virtanen, Andreas Idh & Peter Westerlund

April

3    First Tuesday Open Mic, 7 pm, donations appreciated

7    Contra Dance with Last Gaspe, 6:30 pm potluck

13-15   Cajun Music and Dance Weekend: Walter Mouton & Jason Frey

20-22    English Country Dance Weekend with Members of The Bare Necessities

May

1   First Tuesday Open Mic, 7:00 pm, donations appreciated

4   Alvin Youngblood Hart In Concert  7:00, concert: 7:00 pm

5   Barn Dance with Chuck Hornemann & Gabe Popkin, 6:30 potluck

 

12  Maypole Dancing Saturday Night Social, 6:30 pm potluck, free admission

28  Gladdening The Garden Workbee, 9:00 am

June

5   First Tuesday Open Mic, 7:00 pm, donations appreciated

3, 10, 17, 24   Farm House Fix-Ups, 9 am 

July

3   First Tuesday Open Mic, 7:00 pm, donations appreciated

5-8  Midsummer Festival

19-22 Hardanger Fiddle Association of America Annual Workshop

August

25   Homemade Ice-Cream Social, 6:30 potluck

September

7-8   Prairie Festival

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Dances

 

We welcome all ages and experience levels to our Barn Dances and Saturday Night Socials in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere where you can learn the steps, dance to your hearts content or simply sit and enjoy the music and camaraderie! 

We ask that you only wear shoes with non-marking soles on our beautiful wooden dance floor. Thank you!

Old Time Barn Dances

6:30 pm potluck. Dancing follows.

Folklore Village Barn Dances are fun-filled evenings of traditional American dances, including old-time squares, New England contras and Appalachian, Southern, and Midwestern big circles. No experience or special costume required. Families and beginners are always welcome!

February 4th: Potluck at 6:30, dancing follows

$6 adults, $5 members, $4 seniors & teens, $3 Children

Featuring: Dot Kent & Lynn "Chirps" Smith & Friends

Hard-driving old-time fiddling from the Midwest that evokes front porch music-making on the Illinois prairies and dances held in cabins in the hollers of Little Egypt.  Dot Kent, one of the best callers around, will be sure to challenge and surprise you! "Chirps Smith continues to be viewed as not only one of the finest players of the Midwestern style of old-time music, but also one of its most well-liked and respected ambassadors"-John Lupton

March 3rd: Potluck at 6:30, dancing follows

$6 adults, $5 members, $4 seniors & teens, $3 Children  Featuring: The Pie City Ramblers & Jesse Downs

One of their specialties is reviving lost songs and fiddle tunes from their home region of southwestern Wisconsin-learning music at the feet of musicians like 96-year-old Ethel Lerum, a fiddler and accordionist who played local dances with her father and siblings in the 30s and 40s. The core of the band is Jesse Downs, fiddle; Davy Schmitz, mandolin; and Joe Hart, guitar. At square dances, Jesse takes the mic as dance caller while Liz Voz joins the band as fiddler.

 

Saturday Night Socials

6:30 pm potluck

Take part in a 40 year tradition of Saturday Night Socials. A blend of the traditional rural Wisconsin “house party”  and the small town community gatherings of churches and other social groups, these special evenings include dancing and games.  All dances are taught and no partners are necessary. Bring the whole family and your favorite potluck dish.

 

 

 

February 18th Round Robin Quilt Raffle Kick-Off 

6:30 pm potluck

Requested admission is $25.00 per adult which includes 3 raffle tickets.

A “Round Robin” Night of music, dance, songs, games and stories to kick off our Round Robin quilt raffle. Featuring music with Amy McFarland, Maria Terres, and Charlene Adzima. Our Round Robin Quilt was made by Maria Terres, Carol Ormand, and Amy McFarland. Each person contributed a new layer of design around the pieces that had been added by the previous quilters. We’d love to echo this process in a fantastic evening of sharing at Folklore Village. We will have a patchwork of musicians, dancers, and other people ready to bring something special to show or teach the group. Please come and share what you know and enjoy, in the true spirit of Jane Farwell’s vision.

More about the Raffle! Maria Terres, Carol Ormand and Amy McFarland designed this gorgeous quilt in a traditional "Round Robin" pattern, starting with a "Tree of Life" in the center, and continuing with friendship stars, various accent borders and footprints traveling around the outer edge. The fabrics reflect the colors and patterns of sunrise, sunset, the evening sky, and grasses and flowers of the prairie. The quilt is approximately 90" square, 100% cotton, washable, and suitable for hanging or for using on a queen or full sized bed. A personalized label will be made for the lucky winner of this quilt.The Grand Prizes are the queen-sized quilt OR two 3 day weekend festival scholarships to Folklore Village. We will draw two tickets, and the first winner can choose which prize they prefer.  Tickets will be sold until early November, and the drawing will be held in November at the Board Fundraising event. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25 or 6 for $50. Tickets will be available at all Folklore Village events, through the Folklore Village office, or through many designated individuals, such as Board Members and others in the Folklore Village community. Contact Folklore Village for more information at (608) 924-4000.

 

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First Tuesday

Open Mics:

February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7

7 pm

We invite all, from aspiring and accomplished musicians and poets to appreciative audience members, to join in this supportive, cooperative effort to celebrate our local talent. The night features a traditional open mic format in our main hall. Donations greatly appreciated. Coffee and tea provided. Feel free to bring a treat to share!

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Concerts

Folklore Village's Farwell Hall is a great space for intimate concerts. Seating is limited. We recommend reserving seats by purchasing tickets in advance. Call 608.924.4000.  Note: A $0.50 credit card processing fee will be

added to all tickets purchased with a credit card.

 

 

The Foghorn Stringband in Concert, March 2nd 2012

7:00 doors, 7:30 concert $12 adults, $11 members

Reservations recommended at 608-924-4000

 

Internationally acclaimed Foghorn Stringband has been at the

vanguard of a revival in American old-time music for over a

decade now. They’ve traveled the globe, been signed to a major

label, and inspired a new generation of old-time musicians, all

without compromising their love of traditional American music. Their

unique sound still comes from the fiery, intertwining melodies of

Stephen “Sammy” Lind’s fiddle and Caleb Klauder’s mandolin,

but now they’re supported by the bedrock-solid rhythm foundation

of Reeb Willms’ guitar and Nadine Landry’s bass. And when it

comes to vocals, they deliver; four powerful and exceptional

voices resulting in countless combinations of harmonies. A typical

Foghorn set is based around exquisitely rare old-time tunes and

songs, but a vast knowledge of early country music and recent

explorations in Cajun song traditions have molded a powerful new

sound. Any band would be happy to have mastered one music

genre, but Foghorn Stringband have a roaming spirit, and are

already sparking new revivals of American roots music traditions.

Wowing audiences across the country and across the pond playing

over 200 days a year, Foghorn is one of the most sought after acts

for festival stages and music camps, and ares band mates for

world renowned master old-time musician Dirk Powell and Cajun

legends Joel Savoy and Jesse Lége. On their critically acclaimed

CD, Sud de la Louisiane, released earlier this year, Foghorn draws

from the same repertoire that has always inspired their work: the

tunes and songs of the American South, from the hollers of

Appalachia to the early days of country music. Together, they

blend voices, repertoire and instruments to create a diverse

performance true to the roots of American music, throwing some

Cajun songs and Caleb Klauder's vintage sounding originals in the

mix. Performing live, these multi-instrumentalists gather around a

single microphone in the middle of the stage.

"Portland’s Foghorn String Band stands at the top of today’s vibrant old-time music revival and a fine example of what an unending revival it is. Each album finds them deeper into the tradition, more familiar with the rich resources of roots music, and more focused, but still propelled by that undercurrent of punk energy"—Art Menius  

"Among all the youthful groups playing old-time music today, The Foghorn Trio stands out from the pack. They deliver energy, authenticity and variety. The originals sound like ‘instant classics’. Their skilled playing and singing  is always appropriate for the genre, whether it be old-time, bluegrass, Cajun or country. —Paul Norton & Sue Malcolm, CFRO 102.7 ‘In The Pines,’ Vancouver, Canada

 

Official Showcase at 2011 IBMA Conference

Recent Festival Appearances: San Francisco Bluegrass &

Old-Time Festival, Old Town School Traditional Music

Festival, Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association,

Sioux River Folk Festival

 

Faculty at prestigious music camps across the continent -

Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp, California Bluegrass

Association, British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop, and more!

 

Recent performances w/Dirk Powell, Laurie Lewis, Tom

Rozum, and Alice Gerrard

 

Stellar reviews in Sing Out! Magazine, Folk Works, Flyin’

Shoes, Whisperin’ and Hollerin’, Lonesome Highway, and

more!

 

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Kids & Families

Although Folklore Village programming is intergenerational, the following programs are designed especially to provide opportunities for children,parents and grandparents to have fun together while learning through presentations and hands on activities.

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Cultural Retreats

Folklore Village retreats offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in music, dance, food and traditions of cultures from around the United States and the world. You will study with knowledgeable artists and teachers while making friends and having a great time. Beginning and experienced students are welcome. Please call (608) 924-4000, email staff@folklorevillage.org with questions. Reservations Required.

 

Spring Swedish Music and Dance Weekend

March 9-11,2012

We welcome guests from Sweden for a weekend of fellowship, workshops, Scandinavian meals and evening dance parties. Leif and Margaret Virtanen are highly esteemed dancers from Norberg, Sweden. Since 1988 they have been dedicated leaders of their local polska dance group. Together, they have won numerous dance competitions including the Hälsingehambon and have each earned their big silver medal in polska dancing. They also hold two popular, week-long camps in Sweden: one during the spring in Sälen and one during the summer in Furudal. This camp has been recognized as a training camp for couples who will attend in the "uppdansning." They have taught several dance camps throughout Sweden and have taught popular courses in Holland, Norway, and Denmark.

 

Sadly, Ake Steinholtz is no longer able to attend the weekend due to an injury. In a great stroke of luck, we will have the multi-talented Andreas Idh joining us! 

Andreas Idh has been playing fiddle since he was ten years old and has been listening to folk music since he was a child. He was inspired by Ulf Andersson from Föllinge, who is married to his mother’s sister. He currently resides in Torp in the central part of Sweden. The traditional music and dances from this area are close to his heart as is the music from Jämtland and Härjedalen. Andreas also dances the polska dances and received his big silver medal in Uppdansning (“medal testing” of polska dances) in 2007. Since 2009 he has been playing with the Jämtland/Härjedalen group, Mitlåt at the Uppdansning.

Peter Westerlund also plays music from the region of Dalarna and Jämtland, but also Bohuslän, Hälsingland, Värmland and other smaller regions. A self-taught fiddler, he also excels at violin, viola and cello making. He is a firm believer in keeping the music close to the heart of social dance, and strives for this quality in his playing. He has been an integral part in his local dance group for over 25 years and has been awarded bronze in the “spelmansmärke.”

Please download the registration form to register either full-time or part-time or call 608-924-4000 to request one via mail. Register early, on or before February 17th to receive the early registration discount.

Download Registration Form

 

Cajun Music & Dance Weekend with Jason Frey & Walter Mouton

April 13-15th, 2012

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Be immersed in Cajun culture, food, music and dance at this red-hot weekend. Enjoy Cajun culture sessions, Cajun cooking classes from Jackie & Larry Miller of Iota, Louisiana and dance, accordion, fiddle, and triangle workshops from highly acclaimed Cajun musicians. This year we welcome back dynamic dance instructor Maureen Mullen and fabulous musicians Charlie and John Terr, Eric Mohring, Brian O'Donnell, Larry Miller and Gene Losey.

Walter Mouton Jr. is a legendary Cajun musician whose reputation rests almost solely on his live performances at Cajun dances. His band recorded "The Scott Playboys Special" as a single in 1970, and his music is also heard on the sound track to the film J'ai êté au bal, but he is best known for his Saturday night performances at Breaux Bridge's La Poussière Club. He started playing there some 35 years ago, beginning his weekly gig in the mid-1980s. Mouton, who was born in 1938, put together the first version of the Scott Playboys in 1952 when he was 13. Original members were Rodney Miller, John Allen Guillot, and Leeman Prejean. According to the biography compiled by the Cajun French Music Association, which named him to the CFMA Hall of Fame, the Scott Playboys performed at such establishments as the Colonial Club in Estherwood, the Reno Club in Kaplan, T-Maurice in Bosco, the China Ball Club in Bristol, the Triangle Club in Scott, Jolly Rogers in St. Martinville, and Happy Landing in Arnaudville.

We also welcome Jason Frey from Eunice, Louisiana. His expertise on the fiddle matches his proficiency on the accordion. He brings renowned skills of adding flourishes and personalizing traditional tunes to both his fiddle workshops and the evening dance parties. You don't want to miss his wonderful ornamentation as well as his humor and gentle demeanor!He brings renowned skills of adding flourishes and personalizing traditional tunes to both his fiddle workshops and the evening dance parties. You don't want to miss his wonderful ornamentation as well as his humor and gentle demeanor! Download Registration Brochure

 

 

 

English Country Dance & Music Weekend

with members of The Bare Necessities

April 20-22^nd, 2012

Join us for this exquisite weekend of 18^th century social dance and music workshops. Peter Barnes, Earl Gaddis and Jacqueline Schwab, all members of the Bare Necessities, are known nationwide for their unique presentation of English country dance music. They have been playing country dances for thirty years performing music primarily from the 17^th & 18^th centuries. In the course of concertizing and dance playing, they have become increasingly free in their improvisatory explorations of these beautiful melodies.Registration includes meals, workshops, concert and dances. In order to maintain sufficient space on the dance floor for this flowing, elegant style, a limited number of registrations are available.

Download Registration