Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXVI Number Three

March 2008

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:


From your fellow deliverer of musical magic and president,

 

It's the shortest month of the year but was jam packed with musical opportunities. We just seem to be "leaping" in with both feet to share music when possible.


On the 9th of Feb a group of us played for Rose Havelys' sister Sharon Mallory's Birthday Party. It was quite a fun and wild time. These folks really know how to party. Many of them have performing talents of their own. We played while the party goers ate. It was quite a boisterous crowd especially Rose's social group, the heifers. They were our greatest supporters with grand applause and some dancing. Although, it was somewhat difficult to take seriously the accolades of a group dressed in bathrobes, shower caps and sun glasses. I'm not sure how much of our music was heard over the roar but I can say we definitely added to the atmosphere. We then ate while friends and family members performed several vocal and or dance numbers. One of these involved fanny sized, hot pink hearts with faces on them, strapped to the back sides of the dancers. Our own Rose was an accomplice in this. It was a really great time. Thanks Rose.


On the 17th of Feb a group of us played at the Winfield Public Library. This was in conjunction with a Smithsonian Exhibit coming to the library in March and April. There was a large audience and as it was a library, they were very quiet. This made an excellent forum for the mountain dulcimers. Playing went very well. I believe we represented the club well. Several of the audience members were familiar with the warm up picnic already. The librarian Sue Birney had a nice article put in the Winfield Daily Courier about the club and our performance. Cookies and coffee were served following the performance. Thanks Sue Birney and Lois Liggett.


On the 20th of Feb. a group of us played at Northfield School in north Wichita . This is a liberal arts Jr. high and high school. Michelle Yoder, our much appreciated bass player, teaches there. The students seem to have a lot of freedom in their studies. They were a very attentive audience. They seemed to really enjoy the Limberjack. Playing went very well. Becky Elder from the school asked questions of the club members about our personal involvement with music. I think this let the students know something of us as individuals as well as club members and stressed the value of music as a lifetime activity. It was a very enjoyable performance. Thanks Michelle (Mrs. Yoder).


Thanks to all the brave souls who turned out for the maiden voyage of "GPDA Hymn Sing" at Brookridge Plaza of Sat. 23 Feb.. Despite the sizable amount of preparation that had gone before especially by Toni and Jim Warren, I think we were all a little uncertain at the beginning. The instrumental music went very well. Adam Yoder, the adolescent son of Michelle (our much appreciated bass player), played with us for the first time on this occasion. He played mandolin and did a great job. Though our singing was not quite ready for Carnegie Hall, we did not lack for enthusiasm. Jim Warren has a very nice speaking voice and manner. His short histories of some of the songs added a lot to the program. The turn out of residents was modest but they really seemed to enjoy it and participated well. Thanks to Lonnie's' mom, Ruby, who sang faithfully and tended to keep us at a reasonable tempo. Cookies were served after singing. We received several comments of sincere gratitude for this effort. Thanks Toni and Jim. We are planning a similar program at Peachtree Towers in Haysville at 1:00 pm on Sat. 15 Mar 08.


Don't forget about the upcoming Fun Raiser /Spring Concert on March 8th. I know some of us are planning to perform. There's still time to prepare. The program will be arranged by sign up sheet which I will start at the meeting the morning of the 8th and continue at the event. Pot Luck Supper and Bingo are planned. This is one of our major yearly events so come and enjoy. Only $5.00 donation per person and under 18 years old free. It's at Faith Lutheran Church in Derby on Sat 8 Mar. 6:30 to eat and 7:00 to start performances.


Hope to see you soon.

 

Pat

 

 

 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

From the desk of your V.P.

 

Here comes March, in like a lion! We are busy, busy with play dates by the number and many activities ahead too. Watch for the listings. Hope to see all of you at the meeting on the 8th at 9:30 so we can learn something new and have a fun jam together.


We have a FUN event coming up that same evening and my wish is that everyone will participate in some way or another. March 8th at 6:30 we will be hosting our annual Spring Fun-Raiser Concert! I'm really excited about it this year since the price has been cut in half ($5.00) so hopefully that will mean that our attendance will double! We are still looking for some of you talented people to jump up on stage and show us your stuff. Let me know if you have a song or two you would like to perform. Once again it will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 214 So. Derby St . You will find the church about four blocks East of Sig's Meat Market at K-15 and Kay St . We have played at a few other events here so hopefully you will be familiar with the location. We are asking that you be quite generous with your food donations for the pot luck, as we are expecting more people this year. :-) Please bring your family and friends. I'm sure they will all enjoy a great evening. Oh, AND we will be playing BINGO between acts just for fun and to keep things moving. How much fun can you can you handle!


Looking forward to a great day March 8th,
Your V.P.
Lonnie

 

 




GPDA Meeting Minutes for Febuary

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Playing Opportunities, Other Upcoming Events & Festivals

 

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
 
March 6 - 9, 2008  7th Lagniappe Dulcimer Society Fete  Port Allen, LA  email pdpayne@att.net    www.lagniappedulcimer.com

 

March 8, 2008 GPDA Spring Concert at Faith Lutheran Church in Derby . 6:30 to 10:00 PM   club members bring a pot luck dish. Music,  Bingo, & fun.

 

March 15, 2008   Peachtree Towers in Haysville at 1:00 pm . Hymn playing & singing.

 

March 27 - 29, 2008   Palestine Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival Palestine, TX  email pickinwright@yahoo.com   www.geocities.com/palestinefestival/    editors note: even if you don't plan a trip to Texas , go to this website & read Jerry Wright's page on the festival!  This is a FUN festival with tons of jamming & great, friendly Texas people.

 

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

 

 

Ongoing Jams & events
            
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 March meeting at Immanuel Baptist Church 1415 S. Topeka Wichita, KS  Saturday,  March 8, 2008 9:30 - 12:30, Happy ½ hour coffee at 9:00 to 9:30.

 

Last chance to turn in information (new addresses, email, etc) that you want in the 2008 membership directory to Marie Anderson. email jmanderson95@embarqmail.com by March 8, 2008 .

 

GPDA 25th Anniversary mugs are on sale now!!

 

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.
  
Editors note:  We attended Winterfestival in Irving , TX Feb. 8 & 9th and it was a fun festival, with great concerts, workshops and jamming.  We think it is one of the best run dulcimer festivals around & well worth the trip.

 

 

 

Info on Local Jam Sessions:

 

Mondays: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Old Chicago East at Kellogg & Rock Road. Irish/Celtic/whatever Jam. All level players welcome. 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.