Summertime, and the Music is Lovely

Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXII Number Six

June 2004

 

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

 

KAREN'S CORNER:

 

June is here and well, just makes me want to sit down and play a little “June Apple.” This was a weekend to remember old familiar tunes, but more importantly it was a time to reflect on those that fought to keep our freedom to do just that. With such volatile weather this weekend, it was difficult to do too much that didn't involve keeping an eye to the sky and one's thoughts on trying to stay out of a tornado's path. I am counting my blessings for so many different reasons. By God's amazing grace, no one lost his or her life in such a stormy night of material destruction in this area. Oh, life in Kansas can prove “very interesting.” With that thought, doesn't it make you want to live and enjoy the pleasures of life... like music, family and fellowship.. those things that enrich and make it so beautiful? Enjoy ,         

Karen ,   President

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

Another month has zoomed by, only 3 months to Winfield! Speaking of Winfield, we are seeking input from members about the warm up picnic. Need everyone to show up at the meeting on June 12, and bring some ideas with you. Barb is already contacting workshop leaders for the WUP, but we could use more names of people to contact. May was a very busy month for me, hopefully June will get back to normal(mow,mow,mow). I need people to help out with leading workshops at the monthly meetings. You don't have to be an expert, just bring a new lick that you've learned, or something new to share. Larry McDoniel is going to show how to set up and tune your guitar at the June meeting, looking forward to that. Keep on strumming.

VP Joe Anders

 

SECRETARY'S NOTES FROM MAY MEETING:

 

April minutes read into the record, motion to accept by secretary, seconded Glenn Murphy.

Treasurers report by Larry McDoniel, motion to accept by Larry, seconded Mike Huddleson.

July 31 5:30 dinner 7PM Club plays for Church event (30-40) minutes. Play list will be available, Tuesday jam tunes. Martinson Christian Church, 1653 S. Athenian.

Lake Afton $11 per night. Bring your own meat item and we will fire up the charcoaler. Everyone can bring a side dish to put out for the group like we always do. Very informal, just come and have a good time.

Lucille Reilly here June 4-5.

Volunteers for the Girl Scout events at Cowtown June/July.  Contact Karen Stiner to participate.

 Preliminary discussion for Prairie Rose facility for events.

Glenn Murphy to check on Gossell for first weekend in August.

Memorial Day campout at Winfield.

Motion to adjourn by Glenn Murphy/Seconded by B Barr

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary, Barbara Barr

Guitar Workshop Session

for June 12 GPDA Meeting

In thinking about what we can do to provide additional insight and technique for our guitar player 'stepchildren', I thought it would be beneficial to offer a guitar setup session. In addition to our regular jam, I will devote part of the next workshop to showing how to properly set up your guitar for playability and intonation. I will discuss techniques on how to check and adjust the guitar neck for straightness and relief, how to properly install new strings to prevent tuning problems, how to "lower the action" on your guitar, and we'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various string gauges. Bringing some paper and a pen (or pencil) to take notes for future reference will be beneficial.

Larry

Matfield Green Barn Dance and
Ice Cream Social
FRIDAY night, June 11th @ 7:00 P.M.
Beginners Lessons, All Dances Taught
Free and Open to the Public
JOIN Fiddler Gary Hughes
All musicians welcome to join the band!
Caller Liz Granberg
Open mic for visiting callers
No experience or partner necessary.

All dances taught. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring water to drink.
More details at our website or

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.

Monday: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Daily Grind, 315 N. Baltimore (or K-15) in Derby. Irish/Celtic/whatever Jam. Intermediate to Advanced level players. Coffees, drinks and yummy snacks available.

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.

 

 

Financial Report 3/26/04:

Item:	Checkbook	Petty Cash	Total
Starting Balance:	$2,428.46	$51.74	$2,480.20
Receipts:
Dues Rec'd	$12.00	$24.00	$36.00
Music Packets
Misc.	$24.00	$44.40	$48.40
Winter Retreat
Disbursements:
Newsletter		($4.90)	($4.90)
Yearbook		($21.63)	($21.63)
Workshops
Oct. Camp & Jam	($115.65)		($115.65)
Misc.
TOTALS	$2348.81	$93.61	$2442.42

 

MUSIC BITES

By Lois Seiwert

The Dulcimers have been playing around town! Ye Old Music Shop was a big success at the KAAA Acoustic Arts in the Park River Festival Concert. We had many adults and children participate in the hands-on introduction to autoharps, mountain dulcimers, guitars, and various percussion pieces. They got to play Hot Cross Buns on each instrument. The Music Shop also participated in the Arts and Crafts weekend at Cowtown for the Memorial Day Celebration and we were busy both days.

 

Our next date will be a block party for Interfaith Ministries at their office location (Murdock and Market) on June 24, 4 - 7 p.m.. Stop by and join us if you are in the area. And speaking of dulcimers, if anyone has a playable dulcimer that is just sitting in the closet for whatever reason and you could see to donate or loan it to the Music Shop, we would put it to good use. If we had 6 or 8 playable mountains, that would not be too many and a hammered dulcimer would be really nice. We also have acquired some fiddles so that is my next project to learn. Call me at 531-2521 if you would like to help us in any way.

Sundays @ 4 pm at Cabaret Old Town, reserved seats, Small Potatoes, June 13, $15 advance; Beppe Gambetta, July 11, $20 advance. And on June 20, Wichita Guitar Society Sunday Jazz Matinee, Wichita Art Museum, 2:00 pm, Jerry Hahn Trio with guitar, bass and drums and from 6 to 9 p.m. an Acoustic Crawl in Old Town sponsored by KAAA and the Blues Society.

Local Music for the summer in the Arts and Leisure, Sunday, May 30, included schedules for the Zoo, Reflection Square Park (downtown 11:30 to 1:30), Botanica, Bradley Fair Shopping Center and Farm and Art Market Plaza

INSTRUMENT FOR SALE:

1950's Gibson Irish Tenor Banjo (4 strings) - has the same tuning as a mandolin, but an octave lower. $275.00 w/ case. For more information,
call Troy Pulver @ 788-4575 or 788-6773.

Guitar for sale: Sigma Martin $270 w/hard case/excellent condition/ nice sound.  
Barbara 687-2220