Michigan Fiddlers' Convention

[mandolinlee]

The Twenty-third Annual North Central Regional Fiddlers' Convention will be held Friday and Saturday, August 10 & 11, 2012, at the Hillsdale Fairgrounds, Hillsdale Michigan.

Everyone welcome. Camping is available. Alcohol and open campfires are NOT allowed!

Friday activities start with gates opening at 8:00 am. Workshops to be posted. 2:00 - 5:00 pm Opening ceremonies and performing musicians on stage. 7:00 pm Old Time Round and Square Dancing.

Saturday activities start at 8:00 am.Workshops to be posted, including a Mandolin workshop at 10:00 am, followed by a Banjo workshop at 11:00 am. 1:00 pm Michigan Fiddlers' Association Hall of Fame Induction. 2:00 - 5:00 pm Performing musicians.
5:15 pm Golden Griffon Stringtet. 8:00 pm Old Time Round and Square Dancing.

This is NOT a Contest. The purpose is to promote Old Time Music.

Food is available on the grounds.

There will be jam sessions throughout the camping area and fairgrounds.

Admission: $10.00 per adult per weekend. Children 16 and under Free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information or a flyer contact me at 419-899-2569.

Thanks, hope to see some of you there. Bring your acoustic instruments.
Lee

[DougC]

http://goo.gl/maps/UXBW

Here is a map. Hillsdale is a small college town in south central Michigan.

[sarai]

I'm going to try to go... looks fun

[brunello97]

This sounds good, and we thought about coming back north a bit early.

Hot August weekend in Michigan. Fiddles, no beer? What do Yankees say? Fuhgeddaboudit.

I'm staying in Texas.

Mick

[sarai]

Anyone else going? Is fiddler's convention much different than a bluegrass festival? I guess there will be other genres?

[mandolinlee]

Sarai: I'll be there Saturday morning for sure as I'm hosting a mandolin workshop at 10:00 am. Yes, different than a bluegrass festival however there are usually some bluegrass jamming in the camping area. You'll hear old time fiddle music, swing music, some ragtime, old country and just a good variety.
PM me your address and I'll send you a flyer.
Lee

[sarai]

Lee I was looking forward to the Mandolin workshop! What should I expect? The last mandolin workshop I went to I wound up being the only one and I think the poor guy was disappointed, I had only begun playing and didn't understand a thing he was trying to show me. Well he was just too fast for me at the time, ha. I'm a little better now but not a ton.

[mandolinlee]

sarai,
Here's what you can expect in the Mandolin workshop:
1. More than one person. Last year there were 15 attendees.
2. Various skill levels from rank beginner to very proficient.
3. All questions answered to the best of my ability.
4. A chart that illustrates the notes at every fret by: Note Name, location on the musical staff and by tablature.
5. A chord chart
6. Learn a tune by playing the melody line and the chords, by musical notation and by ear.
7. As time allows: Key signatures, Time signatures, Circle of Fifths to learn the 3 basic chords in each Key.
8. Discussions from the attendees.
9. FUN
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Lee
p.s.- An email is on the way.

[sarai]

Great - it sounds fun! can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it.

[sarai]

Any other Michiganders going to this? Or ohio/indiana folks too I guess?

[bmac]

I sent to an old fiddlers gathering in upstate NY in June. and there were plenty of mandolins in evidence as well as fiddles and assorted other stringed instrument. There were pretty much all levels of experience and they made accomodations for all players, experienced and new. there seems to be a prescribed repetoir of tunes ranging from the familliar standards to less well known tunes. There are publications of these tunes commonly used in these sessions and if one wants to get a head start they are sold on the WWW.

I went cold, without knowing what to expect, and probably didn't fit in as well as I might have had I known what to expect but all in all I had a great time and expect to go again next year, hopefully a little better prepared. Lee should be able to help you there.

[mandolinlee]

Well, the Fiddler's Convention is over. Lousy weather, started raining before we got there Friday and rained continually through Noon yesterday, then on/off rain during the afternoon. Smaller crowd than usual, don't know why. Those in attendance had a good time. Had some jamming in the buildings and played for the dances. Good workshops and looking forward to next year.
Lee

[sarai]

Lee - hopefully you will forgive me. Circumstances changed and decided to go over to Milan... It was worth it though. I really really enjoyed some of the groups that played - and I got some help from another Mando player. Had enough jamming time and my kids had a blast.... maybe i'll run into you another time.