HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXIII Number One

January 2005

 

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

 

FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT, Mr. Joe Anderson:

The holidays are gone, the new year has begun. Looks like we are going to start out with some rough weather. We've got the winter retreat coming up soon, plus the spring fundraiser coming in March. Hope everyone can make the meeting on Sat. the 8th. We will keep the business meeting short and get on with the music!!! See you all then.

Pres. Joe

 

 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

 

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR NEW VICE PRESIDENT, CHUCK CARR:

A special Workshop this January...
We begin this year with a new workshop. This Saturday, instead of individual workshops, we will work together to explore different arrangements of familiar songs. Larry McDoniel will lead the workshop with the intention of developing a stage presence and a look at how we can highlight the different instruments in the club. This comes just in time for our performance at the Coliseum January 21st. The workshop will cover learning to play as a group and knowing when to play backup and when to take the lead. We will also listen to the different sounds of the instruments, understand how to highlight their unique qualities and to blend them together. This will be an excellent learning experience for all levels of players and instruments. In order to give you a head start, Larry has selected two songs to focus on, Lady Mary and Southwind, both in the key of D. In order to get the most out of this workshop, I encourage all of you to attend Saturdays meeting, especially you "stepchildren". Know any mandolin players? How about a fiddle player? Whatever happened to the penny whistle? Got a bass or harmonica? Where have all the hammers gone? Shoot, we may even accept a banjo (of course using shoot and banjo in the same sentence may give the wrong idea)!

Free BBQ and a Rodeo! Such a deal!
GPDA will once again be performing for a select group of sponsors Friday, January 21. Sign-up will be this Saturday, January 8th. We will have enough time to play as a group and if you like, sign up for a solo or play a duet. We will be using the standard club play list and arrangements developed at Saturdays workshop. The play list will be available at the club meeting. Practice sessions may also be incorporated into the Tuesday Night Jam in Derby. If you are not able to attend the club meeting Saturday and would like to sign up, or need information on practice sessions, please contact Barbara@BarbaraBarr.com. This is a wonderful opportunity for the performer in you to let loose, and also great exposure for the club.

You want a little JAM with that?
Don't forget about the annual Winter Retreat, January 29th, @ West side pavilion, Lake Afton from 9 A.M. till ?. We are asking an admission fee of $5 per individual or $10 per family. Note, this is half the cost of past retreats and helps defray the cost for the pavilion and meat for the evening potluck meal. We hope this reduced rate will enable everyone to attend this day of music and gathering of friends.

We have an exciting year ahead for the club with various workshops and special events. I encourage everyone to reach out to all members, past members and friends to join in and make this the best year possible.

May Peace be with each of you this new year.

Chuck

 

A FEW NOTES FROM OUR FABULOUS SECRETARY, BARBARA BARR:

This coming Saturday January 8th you are invited to attend the first meeting of '05 with Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance. Business meeting @ 9:30, General Meeting @ 10 AM. Immanuel Church regular meeting room for us.

· At 10:30 AM we are having one special workshop for everyone Please come with your instrument tuned to "D" and ready to play Southwind and Lady Mary.

· '05 Dues are still the same - $12 for one or all in a family.

· Librarian and Historian jobs have been combined and Rose Havely has volunteered to do this. Thanks, Rose!

· Winter Retreat has been scheduled at Lake Afton, the West Pavilion, 1/29/05. We have cut the admission fee in half with GPDA picking up the rest. Steve Madorin will provide meat and we ask everyone to bring side dishes or desserts. The building will be open @ 9 AM - come and go as fits your schedule. If the weather is bad, please contact Joe Anderson or Barbara Barr before heading out. First weekend in Feb for a backup in case of slick roads.

January 11th we are playing @UMC in Derby for their noon luncheon. Jan Jennings has the play list & details.

· January 21st 6-8 PM we are again invited to play at the Kansas Coliseum. I need a head count before Jan 17th so they have food for us too. We each get dinner and tickets to the indoor rodeo, same as last year.

 

 

 

 

The Newton Contra Dance Association invites you to

Kick up your heels!!!

Old-Time Community Contra Dance

7:00 to 9:30 PM Basic Instruction at 6:30 Saturday, January 8 , 2005 at  MEMORIAL HALL ON Bethel College Campus North Newton, Kansas  Caller: John Turner          Music:  Flint Hills Medicine Show  Admission: Adults $6, Students $4, Children $2

All dances taught — Please wear soft soled shoes.

Couples  & Individuals welcome  No partners or experience necessary

Questions? Call Jennie at (316) 283-2774 or email ml("jamccune","southwind",3); dance2004jennie@yahoo.com

Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at

Java Villa, 7812 E. Harry. Gospel, bluegrass, Irish & old timey tunes. All musical ability levels welcomed. Java Villa also serves some great food.

OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY MUSIC IN DERBY:

OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY MUSIC:

* Open Mic @ Old Theater in Derby - 2nd and 4th Thursdays, each month
from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
* Irish Jam on Monday nights in Derby @ Sara=s Deli, 236 W. Greenway 7:00
to 9:00 p.m.
*Tuesdays 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. @ Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Derby,
431 S. Woodlawn - it's mostly Mountain Dulcimer Jam.

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.