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The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance Volume XXIII Number Twelve December 2005
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FROM OUR PRESIDENT: |
NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT: Hi all First, a big thank you to everyone that came out to play for the grand opening of the new welcome center at Cowtown. We had very short notice, but still had a good showing. Thanks to all. We have several play dates coming up - on Dec.8th at Broadway Christian Church for the Grief Group that meets there. Dec. 9th & 10th is Christmas at Cowtown. Be sure and wear your black & white. GPDA Christmas party will also be Dec 10th at Immanuel Baptist Church, in the basement. 11am to 4pm. Also planning the winter retreat for sometime in Jan. We will have more details soon. The Delancy/Thomas workshops and concert is set up for Feb. 11th. This is such a great time of the year, with all the music going, workshops, family to visit with, and no grass to mow!!! May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Prez. Joe
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VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER: |
A FEW WORDS FROM OUR VP: A warm December greeting to each of you. Well, it is that time of year once again. Everywhere you go, music, music, music and more music!
Old-fashioned Christmas at Cowtown This is your chance to join in the fun. The Club will be playing in the Church December 9th and 10th from 6:00pm till 9:00pm. This is a great opportunity to gather and play some of your favorite Christmas music for an appreciative audience. Though not mandatory, I encourage everyone that wants to play to come to next Tuesday (Dec. 6) night's JAM in Derby for the final practice session. The play list is very straight forward... Club Christmas packet, Key of G, alphabetical order - No retuning, no problem.
Let's see if we can't put some of the tips Larry outlined at last month's meeting into action: 1. As we gather, try to keep the Mt. dulcimers in the middle of the stage, and fill in around the edges with the brighter instruments. The early arrivals will try to leave room and chairs for additional players as the evening progresses. 2. Keep your playing volume and rhythm in sync with the rest of the group. 3. If you are inclined to take a solo or passage (which is always encouraged) please feel free to do so. Just announce it to the group so we can support. Remember to pull back when someone else takes a solo. * Just so we are all on the same page, we will have a leader announcing each tune to the group before playing.
I know it is difficult for many, particularly on Friday night, but try to arrive early and be ready to play at 6. If you arrive after the group has begun a song, please wait at the back of the Church till that tune is over before approaching the stage. Also, we are scheduled to play throughout the night. If you want to take a break, that is fine and encouraged - let's just not all at once. If you plan to take a long break or not return, please tell someone so they won't be waiting for your return before taking their turn.
Volunteer Parking will be on the WEST end (the old entrance) so it will be a paved area this year. Have fun with this event, it is a wonderful time to enjoy the season. Thank-You's: I want to thank everyone that was able to Play for Cowtown's Grand Opening December 1 st . I know it was very short notice. It is nice to know that Cowtown trusts our participation. I saw the play list Rose put together, and it looked like it would be a fun night.
Other Future Events to keep in mind: * Thomas/Delancy Hammer Dulcimer, Flatpick Guitar and Bass workshops in February! Stay posted, the Location is yet to be determined. * Winter Retreat is coming soon. It is a wonderful day filled with good friends, music and of course, good food. (to stay current with these events, visit the club website www.gpda.org)
Hope to see everyone at one of the JAMs, Old Cowtown, and/or at the Annual Christmas Party December 10 th . May Peace be with you and your families. Merry Christmas to all . Chuck, your Veep
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| SECRETARY'S NOTES FROM August MEETING:
*Old business read *Treasurer's report by Larry McDoniel *DeepFork Fest discussed *Dec 8th .. play @ Broadway Christian Grief Support. For more info, contact Jim Colucci. *Dec 9 & 10 play for Christmas @ Cowtown *Winter Retreat discussed *Dec 10 GPDA Christmas Party..Pat Herrington coordinator *Rose Havely needs GPDA pics for History album *BB to reserve Island Park *2006 GPDA slate of officers approved by members present Joe Anderson...President Chuck Carr...Vice President Barbara Barr .... Secretary Larry McDoniel....Treasurer Rose Havely....Historian/Librarian Joy Pulver....Newsletter Editor Thanks to everyone for serving again. We will be looking for some new folks to step up to the plate for '07....so don't be bashful about letting an Officer know you're interested....maybe offer to assist the Officer who is currently serving in the position you are interested in. That would make the transition easier for someone new coming in and also give the Officer a bit of a break when there are scheduling conflicts.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: |
Christmas at Cowtown: We will play December 9 th and 10 th , 6 PM to 9 PM. You can play both nights or only one night.
A Dry Reminder: ;o)
Have you noticed your furnace has kicked on more frequently, your skin is a little drier, and your houseplants are wilting away? Well don't forget about your instruments. These dry winter months can really suck the moisture right out of your wooden instruments. There are a number of simple sponge type devices on the market that can help keep your instrument hydrated. Check with your favorite music store. Most instruments are built in conditions of approximately 45% humidity, so try to maintain that. The two most important things to remember: Keep your instrument in its case when not in use, and the one I always forget, put water in your humidifier. You would be surprised how quickly they dry out!!
Health Update on Dwayne Jennings: Dwayne is home recovering from heart surgery (5 bypasses) and doing pretty well. He was in the hospital from 11/14/ thru 11/23, getting home just in time for Thanksgiving. He recently got the staples out of his leg, helping him to feel even better. Soon he will begin cardiac rehab (physical therapy and education). Please keep Dwayne and Jan in your thoughts and prayers as his return to wellness continues. They are hoping to make it out to Cowtown to play with the GPDA Christmas musicians next weekend and also to the club's Christmas party. :o)
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
AND
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR ! !
GPDA CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC. 10 TH 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As usual, the party will take the place of our December General Meeting. We will meet in the basement room of Immanuel Baptist Church as we have in years past, around 11:00 or whenever you can make it. We will eat around noon. It's a come and go party. Music. Food. Fun.
Enter the building as usual and take the elevator to the basement. The club will be serving Sloppy Joes, so please bring side dishes and lots of goodies to eat!! The club will provide paper goods, coffee and tea. Someone could bring a couple of sacks of ice. Remember - we do not have access to a cook stove, so please use your crock pots and electric skillets if your dish needs to be warm/hot.
Bring: unwrapped white elephant gift ($10 or less) if you wish to do the exchange circle, which is usually a hoot. Bring: your instrument (tuned), Christmas music plus maybe some regular music too.
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Info on Local Jam Sessions: |
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Mondays: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Java Nation, 804 East Douglas in Oldtown. Irish/Celtic/whatever Jam. Intermediate to Advanced level players. Coffees, drinks and yummy snacks available. Come and see the Corry Academy of Irish Dancers perform. This is a great place to play! Tuesday: 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. at Derby Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S. Woodlawn. Mountain Dulcimer Jam with accompaniment welcomed (guitars, etc.) All levels. Thursday: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m at Java Villa, 7812 E. Harry. Irish Jam. Intermediate to Advanced level. See above for food commercial.
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