Thursday, September 29, 2016

Celtic Fiddle Festival to Perform at Frostburg’s Palace Theatre

Set to perform a “perfect storm of the finest Celtic music your ears will ever encounter,” the Celtic Fiddle Festival quartet will showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles in a concert at Frostburg’s historic Palace Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
The group, which is touring the U.S., is made up of three fiddlers and an accompanying guitarist from various Celtic regions. The show is organized by Mountain City Traditional Arts, a program of Frostburg State University.
The Celtic Fiddle Festival released its first CD in 1993, beginning with two great friends and fiddlers – one Scottish, the other Irish. The fiddling duo earned much success after receiving a chance in New York City. From that point on, the group expanded and performed for packed houses across the U.S. and Europe. At each concert, solo performances demonstrate the uniqueness of the individual styles of music. The sounds from each musician represent their regional repertoires. Then together, they collaborate to provide dazzling energy and subtle grace. The quartet combines its considerable talents, rich musical traditions and spontaneous humor and, in return, experiences sold-out tours and standing ovations.
The Washington Post recognizes the group as “three of the finest folk violinists anywhere.” Kevin Burke is a world-renowned Irish fiddler who plays the highly ornamented style of Country Sligo. He is a recipient of the NEA’s National Heritage Award and one of The Celtic Fiddle Festival’s original musicians. Christian LemaĆ®tre joined the original duo early on to share the beautiful music of Brittany, France. He honed his fiddling skills by playing the hypnotic Breton melodies at night dances throughout Brittany. He is a founding member of the group Kornog. Charlie McKerron, the Scottish member, has won awards as a player and a composer. He is considered to be among the finest in a land famed for extraordinary fiddlers. G Nicolas Quemener is a master open-tuning guitarist from Angers, France. He studied percussion in the National School of Music, has been a part of many superb Celtic bands, including Arcady and Kornog, and continues to play and record with many acclaimed Breton and Irish artists.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, costing $20 for general admission and $5 for students and children.
Dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts in the mountain region, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of Frostburg State University, with support from FrostburgFirst, the Allegany Arts Council and the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. For more information, email mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com or call 301-687-8040.
Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu or facebook.com/frostburgstateuniversity. Follow FSU on Twitter @frostburgstate.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The Early Mays to bring Appalachian Harmony to Mountain City Traditional Arts



Emily Pinkerton, Ellen Gozion, and Rachel Eddy will be bringing enthralling three part harmonies, masterful instrumentation, and old-time Appalachian sound to Frostburg. The performance will take place at Mountain City Traditional Arts, 25 East Main Street in Frostburg, on September 11th  at 4:00pm. This is event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $15.
The three musicians, all accomplished solo artists in their own right, have come together combining fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocal harmonies in a sound that captures old-time tradition and also their own individual styles. The three chart topping performers pour their souls into their music and derive joy from every aspect of touring, rehearsing, and performing.
Emily, a winner of the 2015 New Music USA grant, is popularly known for her unique songwriting that combines world music with classical and folk elements. Ellen , an American Music Abroad finalist, is a notable ballad singer and visual artist who has taught at the Augusta Heritage Center near Elkins West Virginia. Rachel, a West Virginia native, recently moved back to the US after touring in Europe for six years. She has performed with a variety of notable musicians including Bruce Molsky, Uncle Earl, and Tim O'Brien.
Dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts in the mountain region, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of Frostburg State University, with support from FrostburgFirst, the Allegany Arts Council, and the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. For more information contact mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com or call 301-687-8040.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

Friday, June 3, 2016

MCTA Summer Line Up



Knitting Demonstration with Sarah Riffey- June 11th 2-4pm
             Sarah has been crafting and doing festivals in the area for the past several years. She makes scarves, hats, and bags and will be demonstrating and discussing her craft during the Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales. 

Tatting Workshops with Carolyn Groves- June 18th AND July 23rd 1pm-4pm
             1-1:30 will be for beginners. Learn the tatting double stitch and how to form rings and chains.
             1:45-4 the adventure continues using the skills from the first session. We will explore reading patterns, workings rings and chains to form an edging. We will discuss complex patterns, thread choices, and uses for modern tatting. New students must have basic skills to advance to the second session. Students from other workshops are welcome at the second session.

"History Through Folk Music" and Songwriting Workshop for Children with Jay Smar- July 16th @2pm

             "History Through Folk Music" - an interactive, informative yet fun music program for ages 8 through 12, involving  certain folk instrument early construction, their differences and similarities (such as the difference between a "fiddle" and a "violin"), as well as learning the "origin of" and "how to" perform a simple "clog dancing" step.
             Also coal mining stories such as the invention of  the first roller-coaster from a coal train in NE Pa titled the "Switchback Railroad" in Jim Thorpe. (45 to 60 minute program)
NE Pa coal mining photos, books, and other related NE Pa coal mining articles will be displayed.
             "Songwriting Workshop" - children create a simple song about a famous American historical figure. (45 to 60 minute program)

Soap Making Workshop with Andrea Lay of Hidden Hollow Farm- July 30th 10am-1pm

             Come by and learn how to make your very own herbal soap and even take home a sample! Limited to ten participants, $25 fee for the course.

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Mountain City Traditional Arts:A Project of Folklore and Folklife at Frostburg State University. Supported in Part by the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council, 25 East Main Street, Frostburg, MD;

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

“Dean of West Virginia Songwriters” Todd Burge to perform at Mountain City Traditional Arts




Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Todd Burge will return to Frostburg bringing his unique humor and songwriting skills to Mountain City Traditional Arts, 25 East Main Street in Frostburg, on April 30th  for a children's concert at 4:00pm and a performance for the general public at 7:30pm. Both events are free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $15.
Todd has become one of West Virginia’s most intriguing singer/songwriters. His songs are written with an inspiration from life experiences and expressed with humor and immense talent. His music styles vary widely from folk to alternative rock but always have the same Todd Burge flare. Many of his best known songs are written from the perspective of bugs, animals, and made up characters of his own.
He has performed in a variety of venues including CBGB’s, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Kennedy Center, and hundreds of smaller venues. He has appeared multiple times on NPR’s Mountain Stage where he was first called the “dean of WV songwriters, the best we have”, by the host, Larry Groce. His most recent album, Imitation Life, was produced in a collaboration with Grammy winner Tim O'Brien and one song "Change (For Clean Water) features backup vocals by Kathy Mattea. Todd Burge lives in Parkersburg WV with his wife Lisa and their children, Will and Sophia.
Dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts in the mountain region, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of Frostburg State University, with support from FrostburgFirst, the Allegany Arts Council, and the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. For more information contact mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com or call 301-687-8040.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Songwriters Showcase featuring Loretta Hummel and Cory & Heather Wharton



Loretta Hummel and Cory and Heather Wharton will be performing at Mountain City Traditional Arts, 25 East Main Street in Frostburg, on April 3rd at 3:00pm in a country, bluegrass, gospel, and folk filled songwriters showcase. This is event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $15.
           Loretta Hummel, an Allegany County local, has been bringing her country, bluegrass, and gospel music to tri-state to residents for many years. A singer, songwriter, and ordained music minister her talent has been widely recognized. Music has always been her refuge and great love, and once her children grew up she began to devote her time to writing original songs. Her songs focus on spreading love of God, friends, and Appalachia. Loretta has performed at a variety of festivals including the Country Gospel Music Association Convention and has eight recorded albums.
           Cory Wharton, a Cumberland native,  blends bluegrass, country-western and traditional folk music in his emotional performance honoring Appalachian heritage. Cory writes songs that local people can relate to and have come to request. The songs call upon true stories and inspiring fictional ones and have been recorded by a variety of artists including Blue Moon Rising and The East Tennessee Bluegrass Pride Band. Cory's wife Heather is an award winning fiddle champion an vocalist. The couple recently moved back into the area and have a 1 year old daughter.
Dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts in the mountain region, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of Frostburg State University, with support from FrostburgFirst, the Allegany Arts Council, and the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. For more information contact mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com or call 301-687-8040.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

Friday, February 26, 2016

MCTA Spring 2016 Line-Up!



February 27th @ 2pm- Wynter's Haven Natural Cream Workshop
             Feeling a little dry? Come join us to learn how to make your very own skin loving moisturizing cream! You will even learn a little about infusing! 100% natural and good for everything from cloth diapering, to face cream, to chapped lips! A small donation is requested but not required and you will leave with a sample container of cream and the option to purchase larger sizes. 

March 8th @ 7pm- Irish Traditional Music with John Blake, Mairead Hurley and Nathan Gourley
             A powerhouse of Irish Traditional Music employing a variety of instruments will perform 67at Mountain City Traditional Arts, Tuesday, March 8th, at 7:00 PM.  Musicians John Blake, Mairead Hurley and Nathan Gourley will bring the sounds of Ireland to Frostburg just in time for an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  A $15 donation is suggested, but tickets are not necessary, the program is open to the public.     

March 9th @7pm- Home Ground Reception and Exhibit    
                 The exhibit, produced by Frostburg State University students enrolled in Sociology of the Environment, features documentation materials and interviews conducted in the fall by students taking Folklore in Appalachia. The event will provide area residents with the opportunity to learn more about the program offerings and experiences supported by Home Ground- an Allegany County based organization committed to bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors and to appreciate the vital role of nature in our lives and our communities.
March  12th, 1pm-4pm- Tatting workshop with Carolyn Groves
             Introduction to tatting: Learn the basic of tatting in this 3hour workshop. One stitch is used to create all sorts of interesting lace. The workshop will cost $10, all supplies will be provided. Please call 301 687 8040 to pre-register for the class.
April 3rd time TBA- Songwriters Showcase Featuring Cory Wharton and Loretta Hummel
              Loretta Hummel, an Allegany County local, has been bringing her country, bluegrass, and gospel music to tri-state to residents for many years. A singer, songwriter, and ordained music minister her talent has been widely recognized. Cory Wharton blends bluegrass, country-western and traditional folk music in his emotional performance honoring Appalachian heritage.
April 23rd- Frostburg Arts Walk
             Stop by and see demonstrations, meets artists, and hear some traditional music!
April 30th - Todd Burge, children's show at 4pm, performance at 7:30pm.
Todd has become one of West Virginia’s most intriguing singer/songwriters. His songs are written with an inspiration from life experiences and expressed with humor and immense talent. His music styles vary widely from folk to alternative rock but always have the same Todd Burge flare. He has performed in a variety of venues including CBGB’s, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Kennedy Center, and hundreds of smaller venues. He has appeared multiple times on NPR’s Mountain Stage where he was first called the “dean of WV songwriters, the best we have”, by its host, Larry Groce.

The Winter Farm Market will occur every 1st and 3rd Saturday through the Spring from 10am -1pm bringing fresh locally produced food, herbal products, and local crafts to our community.