Some highlights and upcoming events at Mountain City Traditional Arts

We're keeping busy at Mountain City Traditional Arts. In the last week we hosted two performances--one on a Tuesday afternoon featuring Irish Traditional Music by Emmett Gill and Jesse Smith and another on Friday night with West Virginia singer/songwriter Todd Burge. We had great audiences for both--thanks for your enthusiasm. We were a little surprised by the number of folks who made it out for a Tuesday afternoon event. And we're wondering if we should try to schedule more events during the weekdays--late afternoons. Let us know what you think. On Saturday, with Frostburg buzzing with activity thanks to Del McCoury's visit and the revival of the Lion's Club Fiddle and Banjo Contest, Mountain City Traditional Arts hosted a Baskets Roadshow, Exhibit and Discussion. My Folklore students were out in force to document, measure and take histories of the baskets brought in. You made them work! We recorded more than 50 baskets! Everyone seemed to learn something new about the baskets they'd had in their families for years. Our exhibit featuring local basket makers is going to remain up for a while. Stop by and take a look and while you're there, you might want to consider purchasing a basket. We have several new baskets for sale--just in time for Thanksgiving! 

We like this pace and are ready for more, so stay tuned to our Blog and FB postings for the latest information about our offerings. Here's what we know is coming:

Friday Night Mountain Music Jams are Back!
After taking a summer/early fall hiatus, Mountain City Traditional Arts is ready to bring back its Friday night Mountain Music Jam starting Friday, November 1 from 6-9 pm--Old Time, Bluegrass, Early Country and Folk--what more could you want? All levels of musicians are welcome. We'll provide coffee and snacks, you bring the music! Come to play or listen.

ONE VISION MANY VOICES VIDEO LAUNCH AND QUILT SHOWING

Monday, October 28, 7 pm

For the past year, the AppIndie.org has been working on a One Vision Many Voices community project. A number of programs, presentations and films have been produced as part of the project—all designed to encourages regional residents to consider, “What do we most value in the region and how can we retain those values while moving toward a more sustainable future?” Regional residents contributed quilt squares depicting their visions of the area. Using those squares, The Cumberland Piece Makers Quilting Club crafted two quilts to be show as part of this event. Additionally mountain residents and children from Frostburg’s Beal Elementary worked with the duo Magpie to write a song, “Wherever Rivers Flow.” Come see the screening launch of that video by filmmaker and Frostburg native Mike Snyder.

 
Toothbrush Rug Making Workshops
Rug maker Debbie Johnson will be holding three more workshops on Toothbrush Rug Making at Mountain City Traditional Arts this month. The first is Saturday, October 26 from 1-4 pm. The second is Sunday, November 3 from 1-4 pm and the third is Saturday, November 9 from 1-4 pm. Space is limited, so if you're interested in participating, please call Deb to register. 240-727-4694. $7 for class and $3 for tool if needed. Participants should bring 4 yards of material cotton, a pair of scissors and a ruler.



 
 
Basket Making Workshop with Lori Senese, Saturday, November 2, 2-4 PM. 

LORI LEWIS SENESE specializes in both traditional and contemporary baskets. Traditional forms include Native American inspired pine needle, sweetgrass, honeysuckle and Cherokee design baskets; and full-size and miniature Nantucket Lightship baskets.In this workshop, you'll learn to craft a honeysuckle basket--completed during the workshop! Call MCTA to register. 301-687-8040. This is part of a series of presentations hosted by FSU students enrolled in "Folklore in Appalachia" as part of their participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission's Appalachian Teaching Project.
 
The History and Lore of the Hagerstown Almanack
Saturday, November 16 (check back for the time)
This regional publication has been an important resource for many folks for the past 216 years. It has the distinction of being the nation’s second oldest almanac. It is also one of the most talked about almanacs around the world providing some of the most accurate weather predictions available, as well as health, home and gardening tips. There are even predictions of the gender of unborn children. This is part of a series of presentations hosted by FSU students enrolled in "Folklore in Appalachia" as part of their participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission's Appalachian Teaching Project. 

Cherokee Storyteller Joseph Stands With Many
Sunday, November 24 at 3 PM. 

Dressed in traditional Native American clothing, Stands With Many presents a program of traditional & interactive Cherokee storytelling, and drumming and singing. He’ll share stories from his first CD including, first CD, "Rabbit Goes Fishing", "How Rabbit Tricked the Wolves", "How Wildcat Caught a Turkey", "Bear Dines Rabbit", and "Rabbit and Turtle Have a Race". This is part of a series of presentations hosted by FSU students enrolled in "Folklore in Appalachia" as part of their participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission's Appalachian Teaching Project.