GGG Concerts and Workshops (prelim)

Concerts and Workshops Schedule -- "GottaGetGon" - May 2011.

(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 during the day; 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.

Bring a (low) folding chair, perhaps a sweater and some food for yourself.
All events are in covered buildings. Rain is never a problem.

Please keep the site clean.

--- SCHEDULE --- last update: 7-May-2011 ( subject to change )

	7pm	Pot Luck Dinner - bring something to share
Friday Evening 27-May-2011 new generation folk concert	8pm	New Generation Folk: - Matt Toomey, host/MC - performers: Satauna Howery, Blackwell Sinners (here comes the future)
Saturday - 28-May-2011
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	Celeste Bernardo- educator, manager, and collector of songs to interpret people’s relationship with the sea, Celeste sings chanteys and traditional songs of the sea, accompanying herself on the anglo concertina, guitar, or 5-string banjo
2 workshops	2:15-3:00pm	Chantey or Shanty (Townley Bldg) - Celeste Bernardo Song Writing - (Lewis Bldg) - David Francey & Honey Dewdrops
Concert	3:15-4:00pm	The Buskers (Kathy Sommer, Craig Jaster, Paul Hubert) Spunky, energetic, fabulously talented with wide-ranging musical interests, and a strong nod to tradition, resulting in a genre-blurring, inspiring, kitchen-sink repertoire
2nd set of workshops	4:15-5:05pm	Accompaniment (Townley Bldg) Some musical color behind the songs -- The Buskers and Honey Dewdrops Travel songs (Lewis Bldg) "been doin' some hard travelin'" on land and sea - David Francey and Celeste Bernardo Swing Warmup (Pavillion near Crump's camper) Dave Crump will lead the Jam
Dinner Break	5:15-7:50pm	Go find some food
Special PSG workshop	5:30-7:50pm	Swinging (music) with Dave Crump (site TBA) Bring your instrument, voice, dancing feet or just swing and sway with the music. All welcome - of course.
Country Dance	8:00-10:30pm	“Barn” Dance - (4H main bldg) all welcome - no experience necessary. Dances taught. Dance caller: Deb Burger, with live music supplied by John Guay, Vonnie Estes & Friends (Steve Fry & Barb Lubell) maybe with some others.
Sunday - 29-May-2011
* Early activities (too early for featured performers :-)	9:45–10:45am	Wake up with Gospel and songs of hope & humanity - (Townley) Bring your own song. Vicki Kelsey & Bruce Pomeroy will coordinate. Fiddle Camp (may get Kathy S. to lead a mini fiddle camp/workshop.)
workshops	11:00-11:45am	Old & New Music - (Townley) - Keeping the the tradition going and breaking new ground - the Folk Process in action --Honey Dewdrops & Buskers. Love Songs (Lewis Bldg) "sometimes it works - sometimes it don't" - David Francey
Lunch Break
Concert	1:00-1:45pm	The Honey Dewdrops (Laura Wortman & Kagey Parrish) New songs in the vein of folk and old country music, Expect sweet harmonies and and tight instrumentation, from foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia.
workshops	2:00-2:45pm	Harmony Singing, (Townley) Kagey & Laura will explore and demonstrate the techniques for singing with a partner. Areas covered will include phrasing, singing with instruments or without, harmony choices and the importance of learning the melody first. Changing and Rearranging Tunes (Lewis) Tempo, time signaure, rhythm styles (swing or straight 8' fee) sylistic influences, breaks and chords - - The Buskers, Evolved folk music
Concert	3:00-3:45pm	David Francey "Scottish born, Francey is a three-time Juno Award winner whose straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places. Poetic perception and a keen eye for the heart of the matter are trademarks of the man and his music. His songs and stories are a direct connection for audiences seeking depth and meaning in the day-to-day"
Open mic	4:15-6:00pm	Open Stage - your musical talent; try your best stuff (Host: Don Burger) - look for the sign-up list.
Dinner Break	6:10-7:05pm	You are on your own (eat/nap/socialize/take a walk ...)
after dinner	7:15-8:00pm	Slow Jam (Lewis bldg) Leader supply names and yell-out the chords Informal Drumming Circle - (main 4H bldg) Bring a drum or borrow one or just listen
.	Evening	a capella sing (Townley bidg.) could break-out at any time around dusk (estimate 8:20pm) Sit in a circle around a small camp light and singalong. It's magic.
Monday - 30-May-11 Memorial Day	Gone 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" and enjoy.

Rates: Adult: $26/day or $5 after 5:30pm. Rates for students 22 and under are half price;
Younger folk under 18years are free with paying adult. 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 the President of PSG Jack Kilrain email: <jkilrain at nycap dot rr dot com >
or call GGG 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 early morning and evening would be a good idea.