Galax, VA -- Youth TradFest! at the Blue Ridge Music Center kicks off the 2012 Summer Concert Series Memorial Weekend in Galax, Virginia! Down through the centuries, families in Blue Ridge have passed down musical traditions from one generation to the next. When renowned collector, Alan Lomax visited Galax in the 1940's he said this area was "the richest breeding ground for traditional music." It remains so today.
Many local children and teens are very accomplished players and have received awards and recognition for their musical gifts. The Blue Ridge Music Center will be celebrating this cultural heritage on May 26th, when many of the region's remarkable young musicians will be showcased in special events at Youth TradFest! There will be activities all day (12-5pm) including: a youth jam, instrument petting zoo, a singing workshop, youth luthier displays, performance-talk, "Growing Up in Music" and an afternoon concert featuring some of the best youth bands & musicians in the Blue Ridge including: Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder, The Iron Mountain Ridge Runners, Loose Strings, Carson Peters, and the Sparta/Watauga Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM).
Bring the family for this fun day of music and show your support for these wonderful young artists who are the next generation of great mountain musicians. Schedule of Youth TradFest! Events: Instrument Petting Zoo (Luthier shop) - try out a variety of stringed instruments for fun. Hosted by the Blue Ridge Music Makers Guild: 12pm-5pm. Free "Musical Families: Growing up in Music" Performance-Talk (small theater).
Limited seating. Reserve in advance. 1-2pm. Free. "Singing Workshop" (classroom) -- Meet the young singers in this interactive vocal session. Limited seating. Reserve in advance. 1-2pm. Free. Luthier Displays (luthier shop): Teenage luthiers will display their instruments, tell you how they did it and what inspired them. Free.
Youth Jam (breezeway) -- Everyone welcome including the "young at heart!" Bring your instrument! 12-2:30pm. Free. Next Generation Concert (amphitheater) Come hear these rising stars of the Blue Ridge on the BRMC mainstage! - Carson Peters /Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder, Iron Mountain Ridge Runners, Loose Strings, Sparta & Watauga Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM). 3pm. $5 students & seniors. Children 12 and under are free.
Upcoming events:
- June 2 (3pm) WBOB "Afternoon Jamboree" Reunion hosted by Harold Mitchell. $10/$5 students & seniors
- June 9 Big Country Bluegrass with Don Rigsby, Whitetop Mountain Band $12/$10 students & seniors
- June 15 Gibson Brothers, Wayne Henderson & Friends $10/$8 students & seniors
- June 23 Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Snyder Family $10/$8 students & seniors
- June 30 Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Buckstankle Boys $12/$10 students & seniors
- July 7 Flatfoot DanceFest: Mountain Park Old-Time Band, New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters $5
- July 14 Appalachian Songsmiths: Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road. $12/$10 students & seniors
- July 22 (3pm) Gospel Picnic: Moose Family, Church Sisters, Good Shepherd Quartet $10/$5 students & seniors
- July 28 Patrick County Tribute: The Country Boys, Slate Mountain Ramblers $8/$5 students & seniors
- Aug. 5 James King Homecoming, Cana Ramblers $10/$8 students & seniors
- Aug. 18 Country Bluesmen: Dom Flemons, Boo Hanks, Lightnin' Wells $10/$8 students & seniors
- Aug. 25 Hot Pickers, New Bands! Jus' Cauz, Old-Time Pals $8/$5 students & seniors
- Sep. 1 Travers Chandler & Avery County, Dry Hill Draggers $10/$8 students & seniors
- Sep. 8 Last Chance to Dance! Jack Krack & The Bing Brothers, Giles Mountain Stringband $10/$8 students & seniors
- Sep. 15 Celebrating 100 Years of Banjo Master Kyle Creed $10/$8 students & seniors Children 12 & under free.
Concerts are at 7pm unless otherwise noted. Seating opens at 5:30 pm. Bring a picnic, folding chairs, your friends and the whole family! No alcohol or pets. Smokehouse BBQ available on concert nights. The Blue Ridge Music Center has evening concerts every weekend all summer through mid-September in the outdoor amphitheater at the foot of beautiful Fisher Peak (only 10 miles from Galax, virginia).
The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org For More Information Call: (276) 236-5309 x112