Bluff Country Gathering
BLUFF COUNTRY GATHERING
May 18-21, 2023
The Bluff Country Gathering has two scholarships available that cover registration fees.
The scholarships are designed for real old time music enthusiasts who have demonstrated their dedication to learning traditional music and who need some financial aid to help them attend this fun and educational event. Contact us if you fit this description.
Deadline to apply for a scholarship is March 15.
The Bluff Country Gathering is a four-day event presenting traditional American music, dance and singing styles. Workshops, conducted by a staff of nationally acclaimed musicians, singers, dancers and folklorists, are designed to pass along the traditions of old-time music to participants at all levels of experience. If you want to take workshops, you must register for the whole weekend. Cost is $225 and includes workshops, concert, dance. The registration form is at the bottom of their page.
PUBLIC EVENTS: A concert on Friday night features all the staff musicians. The Barn Dance on Saturday night includes live music by staff musicians and caller. No experience or partner required for this dance.
CONCERT: Friday May19 at 8:00 PM at the Lanesboro Community Center. Tickets available at the door only. $15.00
BARN DANCE: Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 PM at the Lanesboro Community Center. Tickets available at the door only. $10.00
REGISTRATION: $225 for all events. If you plan to take workshops, full registration is required. No refunds after May 1. Registration accepted beginning January 9, 2023.
Please fill out the entire registration form. Registrations not accepted until January 9.
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________________
Name/address on the roster? Yes _____ No _____ (The roster will be available to all students.)
Any student age 16 or under must be accompanied by a fully registered parent or guardian.
Meals: Please select only one Veggie___ Meat___
If you have food allergies or special needs, you must notify us before May 1st.
Interested in volunteering? Most of our registered students help out doing small jobs at the weekend, like setting up tables and chairs for meals and concerts, helping in the kitchen, sitting at the sales table during the public concert or dance, to name a few. Even the smallest help is greatly appreciated. If you check yes, someone will contact you about matching you to an agreeable task.
Yes, I’d like to help. _____ No, not this time. _____
Make checks payable to Bluff Country Gathering and mail to 18287 Gap Drive, Spring Grove, MN 55974.
Or pay online and be sure to submit your registration information.
$225.00
Housing is not provided by the Gathering. Lanesboro has many B&Bs, boarding houses, motels and campgrounds in town and nearby. For a listing of these go to www.lanesboro.com or call the tourist office at 800-944-2670.
Thursday Night Potluck dinner starting at 6 pm. Bring a dish to share. Plates/cups/napkins/silverware will be provided. The kitchen is available only to the caterers and will not be available for cooking/ cleaning up/storing leftovers.
Friday and Saturday Lunch will be at 12:00 PM in the Sons of Norway Hall.
Sunday Potluck will be at 9:30 AM in the Sons of Norway Hall.
What else to bring? Recording devices are suggested, since most of the workshops will be taught aurally.
E-mail: bluffcountrygathering@gmail.com
Bluff Country Gathering
18287 Gap Dr.
Spring Grove, MN 55974 (507) 498-5452
2023 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
| FRIDAY | 9:00-10:15 | 10:30-11:45 | 1:45-2:45 | 3:00-400 | 4:15-5:00 |
| Sons of Norway Hall | Fiddle BEG-INT David Bragger
|
Banjo: SW Virginia Fiddle Tunes INT-ADV Adam Hurt |
Intro to Yodeling OPEN Susan Platz |
Carter Family Sing OPEN Paula Bradley |
Cecil Sharp in the Mountains OPEN Sheila Kay Adams |
| Community Ctr. Council Chambers | Banjo BEG Sheila Kay Adams |
Mandolin INT Chirps Smith |
Fiddle INT Chirps Smith |
Banjo: Dock Boggs Style Chris Berry |
Jam w/Staff OPEN Susan, Whitt Paula, |
| Community Ctr. Kitchen Area | Ukulele with Fiddle Paula Bradley/& Whitt Mead |
Old Time Fingerstyle Guitar BEG-INT Chris Berry |
Guitar: Most Used Chord Families BEG-INT Beth Hartness |
Fiddle: SW VA Tunes INT_ADV Adam Hurt |
Alonzo Jones Fiddle Tunes
David Bragger |
| Community Ctr. Gym | OT Mandolin BEG-INT Pat Mac Swyney |
Dance Calling
Dot Kent |
Mandolin: Native American Tunes
Pat Mac Swyney |
Flatfooting
Dot Kent |
SOUND CHECKS |
| SATURDAY | 9:00-10:15 | 10:30-11:45 | 1:45-2:45 | 3:00-4:00 | 4:15-5:00 |
| Sons of Norway Hall | Guitar: Listen to the Fiddle
Beth & Adam |
Unaccompanied Ballads
Sheila Kay |
OT Mandolin
Pat Mac Swyney |
OT Songs with Uke
Paula Bradley |
Fiddle Showcase
Chirps, David, Susan, Whitt, Adam |
| Community Ctr. Council Chambers | Banjo: OT Three-Finger OPEN Chris Berry |
Fiddle Repertoire OPEN Chirps |
OT Guitar Backup BEG-INT Paula Bradley |
OT Fingerstyle Guitar 2 INT-ADV Chris Berry |
Meeting House Songs
OPEN Sheila Kay |
| Community Ctr. Kitchen Area | Harmony Fiddle
Susan & David |
Guitar Chord Families 2
Beth |
Harmony Fiddle 2
Susan & David |
Open Jam
Chirps, Pat, Beth |
|
| Community Ctr. Gym | Fiddle BEG Whitt |
Fiddle: Bow Rhythms
David |
Calling for Beginning Dancers
Dot |
Banjo: Midwest Tunes
Whitt |
BEG- Very little experience with your instrument, need basic skills.
INT- Have basic skills, be able to tune your instrument, play scales or chords, play a few tunes.
ADV- Very at ease with your instrument and want to learn tunes quickly, focus on technique.
OPEN- These workshops may be repertoire, concerts, or other types that require no skill level.
NOTE There will be one-hour medium-paced jams led by staff, both Friday and Saturday nights after the public events. They will be held in the Kitchen Area of the Community Center.
BEG- Very little experience with your instrument, need basic skills.
INT- Have basic skills, be able to tune your instrument, play scales or chords, play a few tunes.
ADV- Very at ease with your instrument and want to learn tunes quickly, focus on technique.
OPEN- These workshops may be repertoire, concerts, or other types that require no skill level.
NOTE There will be one-hour medium-paced jams led by staff, both Friday and Saturday nights after the public events. They will be held in the Kitchen Area of the Community Center.