Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXV Number Seven

July 2007

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

 

  From your partner in musical madness and president Pat

 

Well, here we are at July. It's our opportunity to celebrate our freedom. What a privilege to travel and meet in safety and with so little restriction. There is a lot to be thankful for. Thank you, club members for your participation. It is a joy to interact with and to play music with you.
 
June was a good month for playing. Thanks to all who turned out to play for Jackie Stewart's Minister's departure party. We had a really good number of participating musicians. We functioned as back ground music for the large group of church members who assembled for the event. They obviously think highly of their departing pastor. It was a breezy, sunny, early summer day in Watson park. We met under a large shelter. Though we played at the periphery, many church members and the pastor expressed appreciation for our music. We were invited to share in their pot luck lunch. It was a fairly boisterous crowd plus there were lots of folks in the paddle boat in the nearby lake. Over all it was a joyous atmosphere. Thanks, Jackie, for setting up the play date.

 

On June 10th we met at the community bldg. in Valley Center for a jam. It was just for fun, a sort of summer retreat. It was well attended. Lots of good music and lots of good food. Several family members of players attended  including several Moms and Bruce. It's always nice to have an appreciative audience. Special thanks to Maggie Nelson, Cindy Coles mom, who kept the food and drinks very organized. What a helpful person! Thanks Maggie. Thanks also to all those who helped clean up and carry out at the close of the festivities. So nice to be part of such a thoughtful, helpful group.
 
We played twice for the Girl Scout program at Cowtown. Once on the 14th and again on the 21st. It is very rewarding to play for this activity. The little girls are so cute in their 1800's dress. As Dwight put it," They're like a bunch of little Laura's" (ref. to Little House on the Prairie- Laura Engels) We have one more opportunity this year to play for this program. It is 1:30 pm on the 19th of July. This is a Thursday. Hope many of you will join us. They have been giving a little gift for coming. This year it's been treats, Cinnamon roll and cookie mix. Thanks to the Girl Scout program at Cowtown. Thanks to the players who are willing to travel at their own expense to help make this a successful program.
 
We also played at Cowtown for the Women of the West celebration June 23rd and 24th in the afternoon. We played in the old hotel. It was somewhat air conditioned so pretty pleasant for playing. We had a small group of players each day and were background music for the bake sale. This was very low key and relaxing. We had time to chat and took short breaks to see some of the other activities like the 1800's wedding at the train station and the gun fight. Thanks to those who came to play and to Cowtown for the invite.
 
A few of us braved the weather and went to the Chisholm Trail Festival in Newton on July 1st. The weather put a bit of a damper on the festival overall, but the afternoon was perfect. We played under a gazebo in Athletic Park . It was a jam and fairly diverse. About half the participants were GPDA members with our traditional music. The other half brought other styles and periods of music into the mix. Most of them also knew the traditional tunes. It was a very nice afternoon. We played until supper time and then most of us dined together at a local restaurant. Thanks to Carol Rauch for setting up the play date.

 

If you've noticed, we have two play opportunities on the 19th of July. The Girl Scout program at Cowtown at 1:30 and Peachtree Plaza Towers in Haysville at 7pm . I thought while you were in town and in the mood to play we would just make a day of it. Peachtree Plaza is at 141 Sarah lane in Haysville. This is near the intersection of Main and Sarah. It is north of Grand Ave. Note: Seneca out of Wichita turns into Main in Haysville.
Hope to see you at the meeting on the 14th of July.
Enjoy the freedom to meet and play music.
 
 Pat

 

 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

 

(2 cents worth - from the V P)

 

"Rain, Rain, Go Away". I think we are all singing that song every day now. It will be really nice to see the sun one of these day - soon - I hope. I know that by late July and August we will be singing a different song. But as long as you are singing, that's what counts!

 

The Warm Up Picnic and the Winfield Blue Grass Festival are just two months away. It's so exciting to think about. I hope you are all deciding what you would like to do to help out at the Picnic. We need many volunteers so don't be shy!

 

We have many Play Opportunities this summer so be sure to check out the play schedule in this newsletter and always, always watch your e mails as many last minute play-ops come along too.
 
Hope to see you all at the next meeting on Saturday, July 14th. It's a fun date!
Never Stop Playing Your Song,

 

Lonnie

lbonne125@earthlink.net

GPDA Meeting Minutes for April 14, 2007

 

GPDA Meeting Minutes for June 9, 2007

 

Pat Harrington opened the meeting. She thanked everyone for the good attendance we have been having at our play opportunities.
The Valley Center performance and jam was discussed regarding finger food, etc.
Pat also asked that we start thinking about the Warm Up Picnic. We will need work details, so volunteers are welcome and very much needed.
After a discussion it was decided that our music was not appropriate for the Sharon Sparks dance club. Joe said they needed more of the Irish Fiddle types of tunes for dancing.

 

Contact: Pat Schwarz, 316-945-3456 or pfschwarz@cox.net

 

 

                             Other Upcoming Events & Festivals
.
 
July 19th , 2007- Thursday- Girl Scouts Cowtown 1:30 PM

 

July 19-21, 2007   Bayou City Old Time Music Houston, TX  http://www.geocities.com/bayoucityfestival/

 

July 20,21,22 2007 Pickin' on the Plains Bluegrass & Folk Festival Thomas County Fair Grounds, Colby , KS   www.colbybluegrass.org

 

July 27-28, 2007   8th Annual Bluegrass & Old Tyme Music Festival  
Milford State Park 785-238-3655

 

July 27 - 29, 2007   RockyGrass  Lyons , CO   303-823-0848 www.bluegrass.com

 

August 18, 2007   KBA Second Annual Bluegrass Gospel Concert  7:30 PM main clubhouse at Spring Lake RV Resort,  Halstead, KS  316-835-3443

 

August 24-25 Shawnee OK   Midwest Bluegrass Festival  405-391-2338

 

GPDA 17th Annual Winfield warm-up picnic Saturday September 8, 2007 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Island Park in Winfield , KS Free Workshops, evening Concert by instructors. The picnic is open to all friends of acoustic music.

 

September 12, 2007  Walnut Valley Festival Pre-Festival Workshop in Winfield KS  Flatpick Guitar - Kenny Smith, Finger Style Guitar - Dave Mackenzie & Pete Huttlinger, Autoharp - Julie Davis, Bass - Zak McLamb, Mandolin - Bruce Graybill, Closet Pickers' Guitar 101 - Andy May,  Beginning Mt. Dulcimer - Adie Grey, Mt. Dulcimer for Singer/songwriters - Adie Grey.  For information or registration, call 620-221-3250
 
September 13 -16, 2007  36th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield KS 620-221-3250  or email hq@wvfest.com    www.wvfest.com
 
September 29th- The last Saturday. Fall Festival.- Faith Lutheran Church , 214 S Derby Ave. Derby KS . In the gymnasium. Time to be announced.

 

November 17th - Saturday- Emporia Fairgrounds Fall Festival-Anderson Building .

 

Kansas Bluegrass Association Campout List
July 20 - 22 Marion Lake
August 17 - 19 Spring Lake
September - No Picnic See you at the WVF
October 19 - 21 Winfield , KS
Contact Ed Hill 316-214-2694 for additional info.
              
Tuesday Night Jam Woodlawn United Methodist Church , Derby , KS  431 S. Woodlawn, Derby ,  Choir room 7:00 PM to 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

 

REMINDERS GPDA  meeting Saturday July 14, 2007- Happy half-hour at 9:00 AM prior to meeting at 9:30 for visiting & coffee.  Mountain Dulcimer players & anyone else who is interested are going to be working on “Coleman's March”, attached to this news letter or obtainable at Doofus Music   http://www.doofusmusic.com/tablature.htm

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Special Announcement

 

For sale:

I am going to sell my 12 string mandola. It has 4 courses with 3 strings per course. It is tuned CGDA like a viola or tenor banjo. I bought it new from the luthier in Rockport, Maine in 1999. I have not played it much and it needs to be played. It also comes with a new gig bag. It has a beautiful sound. There are only three in existance that I know of. One went to a person in Italy, I have one, and Nick kept the third one. If you are interested or want to see/play it, please let me know. I will have it at Winfield in camp as well.

 

Henry

263-3901

 

FOR SALE :

I have three instruments for sale to an interested party. These belong to friend/family members who don't play them.
# 1 is a Masterworks (Russell Cook) Hammer Dulcimer---16-15, 2 strings per note, 14 lbs, with stand, 3 or 4 years old. Like new. Paid $900.
#2 is a Dusty Strings hammer dulcimer, 12 - 11 - not sure about stand or case etc. but will find out if you are interested. There are some books with these.
#3 is a Kent guitar - 6 strings (needs new ones) and picks, case and beginner books. Very good condition. Auditorium style.
If your are interested in any of these or would like more info let me know at my e mail address.
Thanks,
Lonnie