Basket Symposium and Exhibit Coming to MCTA This Weekend

Mountain City Traditional Arts and the Center for Research in Basketry, Inc. (CRB) will host a symposium and exhibit on the art and craft of Garrett County basket maker James McCrobie, Sr., on Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. at MCTA at 25 E. Main St. in Frostburg. The symposium will launch an exhibit of McCrobie baskets, which will continue through April 11. Come hear treasured McCrobie family stories highlighting a basket maker and his family who made and sold baskets to support themselves during the Depression.

The event is the result of research by Dr. Kathleen Beauchesne of CRB and FSU “Folklore in Appalachia” students who identified and recorded basket craftsmanship throughout Western Maryland and the entire state. Dr. Kara Rogers Thomas, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at FSU, and Beauchesne will speak about the work of these FSU students and the research done for the basketry project, Woven Traditions: Maryland Basket Making Culture and Communities, Past and Present. Symposium speakers will also include Dr. Charles Camp, who interviewed McCrobie and his family during the 1970s for the Smithsonian; McCrobie’s son, the last of six generations of basket makers; and Richard Yoder, curator of the Springs Museum in Springs, Pa., and McCrobie basket collector.

The symposium and exhibit are supported in part by the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council and the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Teaching Project.

MCTA is a program of FSU dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts in Mountain Maryland.

For more information, contact Beauchesne at 410-967-3585 or kobeauchesne@basketresearch.org, or call MCTA at 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.

Irish Singer-Songwriter to Perform at Mountain City Traditional Arts

Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 PM

Seán Tyrrell, Irish Folk Singer

Suggested Donation $10

Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a performance by Irish Singer-songwriter Seán Tyrrell, Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 pm. Seán’s American tour kicks off the release of his 7th solo CD, “Moonlight on Galway Bay,”featuring a strong mix of Irish standards—songs that his US audience will be sure to recognize. 

“Like a lot of traditional musicians,” said Tyrrell, “the songs went over our heads mainly because of the way the lyrics have been treated over produced, laced sickly sweet. I have grown very fond of them and they have been part of my live performances for quite sometime. I hope I have treated them with the respect and delicacy that they deserve.”

Remembering the earliest stirrings of this idea for a CD which was unlike anything he’d done before, Tyrrell recalls, “An old lady came to the stage, ‘Young man will you sing Galway Bay for me?’ Mam I said  have never sung that song in my life and I suggested maybe the Isle Of Innisfree. As she made her way slowly back to her seat I thought I had to honour the request.  I apologized to the audience, said I needed a bit of time to find the key for the song. I had heard it so often I felt I might remember a lot of it. I did and when I came to those lines, ‘They might as well go chasing after moonbeams, Or light a penny candle from a star,’ I realised what I had missed for years. . .Thank you old lady who ever you for opening my eyes and ears.”

Dedicated to the education, sales, presentation and perpetuation of the traditional arts, MCTA is a program of Frostburg State University. To learn more call 301-687-8040 or visit them on the Facebook.

Sunday, March 16, 3 PM

Kevin Burke and Cal Scott, Irish Traditional Music-

Suggested Donation $10

Lessons may be available, please inquire

 In the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day, legendary Irish fiddler Kevin Burke and guitarist Cal Scott will play Traditional Irish Music,  Sunday, March 16 at 3 pm at Mountain City Traditional Arts in Frostburg.

Kevin Burke's fiddle playing has been at the forefront of traditional music for over 30 years.  Whether solo or accompanied, on record or in concert, Burke is an immensely engaging performer. He has been established as a first class musician ever since his work in the early 1970's (with such renowned performers as Arlo Guthrie, Christy Moore and the Bothy Band and with his far-reaching solo album, If the Cap Fits).  During his long musical career Kevin has earned international acclaim in both Europe and America as a solo performer, a teacher and as a member of some of folk music's foremost groups including Celtic Fiddle Festival, and Patrick Street. He is also a featured member of Grammy winner Tim O'Brien's wonderful crossover band, The Crossing. Kevin is a National Endowment for the Arts 2002 National Heritage Fellowship recipient, the USA's highest honor for excellence in the folk and traditional arts.  www.kevinburke.com 

Cal Scott is a remarkable multi-instrumentalist whose professional credentials span a wide range of music, from traditional to bluegrass to jazz and everything in between. He plays and sings in the 8-piece folk ensemble The Trail Bandand is also a noted composer and arranger with dozens of scores for documentaries, films and commercials under his belt. In 2006, his film score for Scotland's Lighthouses was recognized by the Just Plain Folks Music Awards with 4th place in the Celtic Album of the Year and 5th place in the Celtic Song of the Year. Kevin Burke and Cal Scott met each other while Cal was working on a documentary about Northern Ireland and Kevin was brought in as a consultant. This musical collaboration led to their working together ever since then.

For more information, contact Mountain City Traditional Arts, mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com; 301-687-8040.