Date: January 28th 2010

Looking for something great to do this weekend or next? Come join us for some great concert and dance events!

Shepherdstown becomes the land of the fiddlers as close to one hundred fiddlers congregate here for lessons, jam sessions, a concert and a dance this weekend as part of the Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat (www.fiddleretreat.info).

The weekend starts with a showcase concert. on Friday...

*******Friday, January 29 at 8PM: Fiddle Summit: A new concert for us, that we hope will be an annual event, draws some of the finest fiddlers from a variety of traditions into a showcase concert for our popular fiddle retreat. This year we present a showcase with cameo performances from staff members Elke Baker, 1995 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle champion, who combines lyrical melodies with driving dance rhythms in her energetic playing, Joe DeZarn, a fine Irish fiddler who performs with Childsplay, Mighty Possums and the Bogwanderers Ceili Band, the fabulous mistress of swing, Laura Light and her husband George Paul who form the band the Avant Gardeners and Tina Chancey, a founding member of the Folger Consort and the trio Hesperus, who is known for her virtuosity on a wide range of renaissance stringed instruments. Our special guests, this year have been lauded as "sparkling and exhilarating;" Notorious musicians Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger present a thrilling musical experience in genres that span many continents. With Eden on fiddle and Larry on guitar and banjo, their music lights up the hall with rhythm and sonority. West Virginia-based old time fiddler and founding member of the Critton Hollow String Band, Joe Herrmann is well known for his instrumental prowess and singing. Adam Hurt will grace us with his "elegantly innovative clawhammer banjo." Deemed a "virtuoso" by the Washington Post at age 25, Adam has won many old-time banjo and fiddle competitions. At the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church on the corner of King and Washington Streets in Shepherdstown, WV at 8:00PM. Admission is $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 SMD members, $8 students. For more information call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net, on the web at smad.us .

*******On Saturday, January 30 at 8PM Contra Dance We have a special contra dance at 8PM with Eva Murray calling to the fabulous Fiddle Retreat Band of our weekend teachers and students at the War Memorial Building at 8PM. All dances will be taught, a wide range of styles of music (changing every half hour!), beginners are welcome. Please wear clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the floor. Admission is $10 adults, $7 SMD members, $4 dancers under 12 years old. Info at smad.us . This is a unique experience everyone should try at least once!

*******Also on Saturday night: Musicians are welcome to join the fiddlers in open jam sessions led by the fiddle retreat faculty. A slow jam will take place in Reynolds Hall from 8:30-10PM, and a more lively up-tempo jam will take place in St. Peter's Lutheran Church across street from 9-12PM.

*******On Saturday, February 6 at 8PM Contra Dance David Giusti calls to the Charlottesville, Virginia based band Toad Mamas including Rick LaRue on fiddle, Jack Maus on piano and accordion, Patti Reum on whistles and flutes and David Stone on mandolin, guitar & banjo. All dances will be taught, beginners are welcome, a beginning workshop will be taught at 7:30PM. Please wear clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the floor. Admission is $10 adults, $7 SMD members, $4 dancers under 12 years old. Info at smad.us .

Please join us for one of these fine events!

Your friends at Shepherdstown Music and Dance smad.us