Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXVI Number Four

April 2008

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

From your flower pickin' music lovin' pres :


Spring is springing and giving us great weather to get out and play music. A few of us are going down to the boy scout camp west of Enid Ok again this year. We are leaving about 9am on Saturday 5 Apr. and returning after supper. Anyone wishing to join us is welcome. This is quite a do and we were treated quite well last year. We will wear Cowtown black and white.


The 8th of March was this year's Spring Concert/Fun-raiser. The pot luck was outstanding. Thanks for bringing large portions and or multiple dishes to provide the atmosphere of hospitality and comfort. There was a good variety of dishes. Everything in my meal was very tasty and I received many compliments about the excellent quality of the food. I was really pleased about the extent to which members pitched in and offered their talent at the event. There is anticipation and cooperation involved in preparing to perform that builds relationships. These bonds form the fabric of our club. Whether it comes out plaid, paisley or polka dot, it's always special. Thanks to all who performed. It was a very enjoyable program. I think Bingo went well, but give me your feed back on that. Thanks to Faith Lutheran for again allowing us to use their facility. Thanks to all who helped set up, hook up, clean up and carry. A lot of cooperative effort went into this because it was quite efficient. Special thanks to Lonnie and Bruce Bonnes who are members of Faith Lutheran and thereby accept additional responsibilities.


Saturday the 15th of March we had the 2nd hymn sing. This was at Peach Tree Towers senior apts. in Haysville. Again, playing went well and our singing is still not quite ready for Carnegie Hall. I really think that our "not ready for prime time" singing lets the residents feel competent and comfortable to join in. There were several very good singers in the audience and overall participation was good. Toni brought cookies in the St. Patrick's day theme. They were tasty and mighty cute. Thanks to Toni and Jim Warren for their dedication to getting hymn singing going.


Our thoughts and prayers are going to those dealing with serious illness. Rose Havely is personally dealing with serious illness and treatment. Marie Anderson's sister Donna passed away on March 30.   May there be comfort in the Lord.


Pat

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

From the desk of your V.P.

 

Here's two cents worth from your V. P. :
Spring is officially here and Easter came extremely early this year so now it's onward to warm weather and looking forward to fun in the sun. I hope we can repeat some of the fun activities we had last spring and summer. We will look forward to a Mid Summer Night Jam again in June. Some of us also had a challenging but fun time playing on the sidewalks of Old Town last spring. If any of you have some new ideas be sure to let us know so we can make some plans. We hope to line up quite a few play dates at care centers in the area. We are so appreciated there and they love for us to come visit and play for them.


The Spring Fun Raiser was quite successful and so much fun. The food was sensational (as usual). Not only are musicians nice people but great cooks! :-) The music was so fabulous this year and I heard so many wonderful comments. The family groups were terrific and I hope we'll see more of them. Someone suggested that all the musicians get together and jam a couple songs at the end for the remaining audience. That might be fun for a grand finale!
See you all at the monthly meeting on the 12th. We will try to have something for everyone and a great jam session at the end. Hope you all can make it.


Your V.P.
Lonnie



GPDA Meeting Minutes for March

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Playing Opportunities

 

April 5, 2008  Great Southern Plains Rendezvous  Williams Boy Scout Camp 26 miles west of  Enid, OK.  All day, call Pat for further information.

 

Hymn Sings at Care homes, call Toni Warren for dates & further information.
                       
  Upcoming Events & Festivals

 

April 5,2008   Iron Horse,  Eldorado , KS : “ Jubilant Bridge ” concert 7:30   $10.00  www.jubilantbridge.com

 

April 12, 2008 Iron Horse, Eldorado , KS   Boulder Acoustic Society 

 

TREE HOUSE
2008 Concert Series
Bartlett Arboretum
Belle Plaine, KS
http://www.bartlettarboretum.com
$10 Lawn tickets
Bring a Picnic or BBQ available


Sat, April 5
DARRELL SCOTT - King of Americana
Gates open at 3:00 - Show starts at 4:00
Art At The Arb


April 19 & 20
10 to 6 daily
Robin Macy - Songs From the Garden
Medicine River Boys
Nouveau Quintette
Melodivas
Jenny Lou and the Buckaroos
The Farm Couple


Sun, May 11
ADRIENNE YOUNG & LITTLE SADIE
Gates open at 3:00 - Show starts at 4:00


Sun, July 13
JIMMY LAFAVE - Austin TX Troubadour
Gates open at 3:00 - Show starts at 4:00

Winfield Public Library, Host site for a Smithsonian Traveling exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music”  March 14 thru May 4, 2008 , also companion exhibit on the Walnut Valley Festival.  See www.wpl.org   for information on this and “Stu Mossman and his Guitars” exhibit.  There are many music events at the library and at other facilities in Winfield during this time. 

Of Special interest, April 9, 2008 , 7:00 to  9:00 pm Dan Crary in concert at Southwestern College , Richardson Hall, using his Mossman Guitar.  All Mossman guitar players invited to jam after the concert.  Tickets are $5.00 at the library. To reserve & for more details call WPL at 620-221-4470 or email sbirney@wpl.org
 
April 16, 2008   8:00 pm   The Infamous Stringdusters in Concert  Louise C. Murdock Theatre, Wichita , KS   tickets $15.00 info- www.kansasbluegrass.org

 

April 24-26, 2008 15th Annual Park City Bluegrass Festival  Kansas Coliseum. Tickets - call 316-755-7328  information - www.ParkCityBluegrassFestival.com

 

April 24-26, 2008 Ozark Folk Center Dulcimer Jamboree & Workshops.  Mountain View , Arkansas   www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/events-calendar/   (other upcoming events at the center: June 9-12, Autoharp, July 21-24, Mt. Dulcimer workshops, Aug 4-7, Hammered Dulcimer workshops.)

 

May 2-4, 2008   Branson Spring Dulcimer social  Branson , MO   mustoncompany@aol.com   www.musicmountaindulcimers.com

 

Info on Local Jam Sessions:

 

Tuesday Night Jam Woodlawn United Methodist Church , Derby , KS  431 S. Woodlawn, Derby ,  Choir room 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

 

Monday night Irish Jam at Old Chicago,  Wichita , KS 7:00-9:00 pm

 

Emma Chase Café  Cottonwood Falls , KS
Jam - 7:30 PM every Friday - Various types of music

 

Kansas Bluegrass Association
Monthly meeting/jam  1st Saturday of each month
Immanuel Baptist Church
www.kansasbluegrass.org

 

Garden City jam third Thursday 7-9:00 PM Kadee's Coffee Break  210 East Spruce,  Garden City    Folk and Bluegrass .
 
Arkansas City Bluegrass & Country Jam  Monday 7 - 9 PM   Cherokee Strip Museum  620-442-2107


 

FOR SALE

 

Lonnie has a Kent guitar - 6 strings (needs new ones) and picks, hard case and beginner books. Very good condition. Auditorium style. Reduced price - $85.00

 


Reminders

GPDA April meeting at Immanuel Baptist Church 1415 S. Topeka Wichita, KS  Saturday,  April 12, 2008 9:30 - 12:30, Happy ½ hour coffee at 9:00 to 9:30.

 

Please send Email address changes to  News Letter editors - Dwayne & Jan Jennings HDJ1933@aol.com , also any items you wish to add to News Letter such as instruments for sale.