Concerts and Workshops Schedule -- "GottaGetGon"  - May 2008.  

(information below is subject to change)

a very friendly FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL.  A family event. :-)

Memorial Day Weekend  at Saratoga County Fairgrounds  - Ballston Spa, NY
google map

The weekend features concerts and workshops on Saturday and Sunday, a family country dance on Saturday night, a PSG open stage Sunday afternoon, and an a capella sing Sunday night.  New for our growing audience, we have a new generation folk concert FRIDAY NIGHT with some great up-and-coming talent.  GottaGetGon audiences like to be part of the music, so performers not only have the opportunity to showcase their music, but can count on enthusiastic participation as well.

last update: 28-April-08 ( subject to change)
Bring (low) folding chairs and some food for yourself.   All events in covered buildings. Rain is never a problem.


7pm
Pot Luck Dinner - bring something to share
Friday Evening  23-May-08
new generation folk concert
 8pm New Generation Folk:
Amanda Fry - host/MC,
     Jean Rohe w/Liam Robinson, Citizen Genet, and Hannah Rosen.
(here comes the future)
Saturday - 24-May-08
Concert
 10:25 AM
- 12:15 PM 		 Sampler concert, all featured performers - don't miss it.
Main -4H Building - please be on time  -
Lunch Break

Concert
 1:15-2:00pm Liza Constable - relaxed and natural  blues, folk, and more " supple contralto" "...swinging, groovy, expressive…the real thing.”
workshops
 2:15-3:00pm
  • Sing in your own voice  (Townley Bldg)  crazy vocal warm ups, call and response, improvisation, ... - Liza Constable
  • Accompaniment - (Lewis Bldg) developing arragements...  - Marc Bernier, & Notorious (Larry & Eden)
Concert
 3:15-4:00pm Woods Tea Company (Howard Wooden, Tom MacKenzie, & Mike Lussen)- lively old-time string band, featuring sea shanties, folk songs, drinking songs, Celtic music and dry sense of humor. Many instruments
2nd set of workshops
 4:15-5:15pm
  • Singin' in the Kitchen or Fo'c's'le  or porch or ... (Townley Bldg) - social songs from our various traditions. --  chef Marc Bernier, Mike Lussen, Howard Wooden & Tom McKenzie
  • Swing Chords (Lewis Bldg) cool chords to embellish your arrangements of songs or tunes, applied to different genres - Liza Constable & Larry Unger
eve. workshop
 6:15-7:50pm
  • Swinging (music) with Dave Crump (site TBA) Bring your instrument, voice, dancing feet or just swing and sway with the music.  
Country Dance
 8:00-10:30pm “Barn” Dance - all welcome - no experience necessary
with music supplied by Notorious & others - (Gail Griffith caller)
Sunday  - 25-May-08
* Early workshops
(too early for featured performers :-)
 10:15–10:45am
  • wake up with Gospel and songs of hope & humanity (Townley) 
  • Drumming part 1  All levels of experience (Main 4H Bldg) - Chrys Ballerano   - Bring a drum or borrow one or just listen to the rhythms.
workshops
 11:00-11:45am
  • Gypsy Fiddle - (Townley) -  music from the Eastern-European Roma communities; learn a tune or two, pick up some stylistic techniques, and a few fancy "tricks" as well.  -- Eden MacAdam-Somer
  • Song Swap  (Lewis Bldg) "Have you heard this one ..." - Liza Constable & Woods Tea Co. (Howard, Mike, Tom)
  • More Drumming Circle with Chrys  B. (place TBA) - Bring a drum or borrow one or just listen
Lunch Break

Concert
 1:00-1:45pm  Marc Bernier big man with big voice, a chef, sailor, shanyman, singer of maritime, celtic songs, and traditional drinking songs,  with accompaniment on tenor banjo bodhran & fife.
workshops
 2:00-2:45pm
  • Folk-singing show  for kids with Paul Strausman (Main -4H)
  • Drinking Songs - (Townley)  - Mike, Howard & Marc
  • Music of French Canada, and other places (Lewis) - Tom MacKenzie  (dulcimer) - Maybe Eden M-S will come too with Lesser Known Appalachian Songs
Concert
 3:00-3:45pm Notorious (Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger)
     - Masterful, foot tapping, Fiddle & Guitar - a very broad range of folk music - world wide - and superb vocals. Traditional and contemporary (easily understated)
Open mic
 4:15-6:00pm Open Stage - your musical talent; try your best stuff (Host: Don Burger)
  - see sign-up list.

7:10-7:55pm
 tba
. Evening
a capella sing, could break-out at any time around dusk (estimate 8:20pm)  Sit in a circle around a small camp light and singalong.
Monday  - 26-May-07 by 2:00pm Pack-up & Good-byes,  good memories 'til next time.
If you enjoyed yourself consider joining PSG  - we have other smaller events. (see contact info. below)
Unscheduled pickin' & singin' anytime, mostly in the evening - lot's of good folk jam sessions. Bring your instrument or just "gather".

Rates: Adult: $20/day or $5 after 5:30pm. Rates for student 22 and under are half price.
           Kids under 12: FREE  - More complete rate info on Previous page


The GottaGetGon folk festival is sponsored by: the Pickin' & Singin' Gatherin' (PSG),  a folk music club near Albany New York.  For information contact Betsy Fry, President  e-mail BetsyFry@aol.com  or call Pre-event-coodinator: Howie @ (518) 882-6809 also try: <ggg at capital dot net> (response may be slow)
 

--> The GottaGetGon (GGG) got its name from the urge to “get gone” from the city,  to the country,  where music takes over for the weekend.
  We have been doing this since 1970.  New folks are most welcome.

  ** Please bring a low folding chair and maybe some anti-bug lotion. Lower chairs in front. A coat or sweater for the evening would be a good idea.

GGG | Performers | PSG | photos from_2007 | google map

last update: 29-April-08 (v.2.1)   - howie