Every year as the fest comes to a close there is a sense of relief that we get a small break before gearing up for the next year, and a sense that we did it again… we put together an awesome festival with a barebones volunteer board, brought in a heck of a line up, and along with countless fest volunteers for two days worked our hearts out. This year was no different, anyone who left before Karl and the Country Dutchmen missed a super fine show, and as I sat at the back of the tent in my perch at the mercantile, watching the tuba rock on… I was sad that it was over so quickly. I am home today with only a few loose ends to tie up, and no pressing fest business, only a promise that next year August 3rd and 4th , if karma is in my favor I will be there again, this festival truly holds a piece of my heart and I hope many of you feel the same way…. Okay so enough of my emotional, sad little ramblings….

FLTMC , the nonprofit producers of The Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival need to thank the following people:

Board members: Bob Batyko; President… Mark Schlutt; treasurer…. Kirsten Moore; Secretary… Stephanie Ramer; board member … Brian Ray; board member, Uber-Volunteers… Pat Logterman, Peter Bernstein, Al and Claudia Watson, Graphic Designer; Allyson Casey, our artists, emcee; interviewers, jam tenters, food vendors, Dane County Parks, festival volunteers, and about a thousand other folks.

If we owe you thanks, Thanks, if we owe you money, the check is in the mail …. I promiseJ.

We have lost and found- so if you have lost something email us and we will check our inventory. We hold on to things for a month or so and then donate or divide up the good stuff.

If you have comments, suggestions, concerns, let us know.

Thanks and we will see you on the flip side,

Theresa
FLTMC Board Vice President
Merchandise queen.

Joe and the boys play two sets Saturday. You can catch Joe’s and Bruce Molsky’s workshop for Bluegrass and Old-time banjo. You’ll also hear Evan McGregor as part of our Fiddlers in the Round workshop.

Get your tickets!

]]> http://sugarmaplefest.org/2011/07/greg-and-bo/feed/ 0 http://sugarmaplefest.org/2011/07/sugar-maple-fest-checklist/ http://sugarmaplefest.org/2011/07/sugar-maple-fest-checklist/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:08:11 +0000 dasspunk http://sugarmaplefest.org/?p=1133 The festival is officially a week away and as glad as we all are to see the rain today , we are hoping for beautiful weather for next Friday and Saturday. We are so excited to have you over to our little fest, to make it more smooth for everyone, here are some tips for the festival:

• We are a rain or shine event, all of our artists perform under tents or shelters. Bring sun screen, ponchos, a hand fan and bug dope.
• Bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, we have a limited number of chairs, and yours are more comfortable anyway.
• Please leave all pets at home, we all love our pets, but we are in close quarters and you never know who has an allergy to your dog, guinea pig, iguana, etc.
• Buying tickets in advance is your best deal, tickets at the door are a few dollars more expensive, you know you love us so save a few bucks and buy an advance ticket, they are available until Thursday at Willy Coop East, Whole Foods, Spruce Tree Music and online.
• Bring the kids, they are free! And we will have activities just for them!
• If you have an instrument, bring it and we can Jam in the Jam Tent. Even you newbies, skill and talent are optional, we are here to have a good time.
• Camping closest to the festival is rustic, primitive, and fun. Tents only, that means no cars, no westies, no RV’s in the camping area. If you have to have your car (under 20 ft in length) parked in the camping area its an additional $25, but you have to sleep in a tent. The fun part is that the jamming goes on all night, so if you are a light sleeper bring earplugs, or stay up and join in.
• Bring Cash, we try to have an ATM, but if you have some $ in your pocket when you come you will be all set.
• We have a great selection of food vendors; Santa Fe Trailer, FIBS, Curt’s Popcorn, La Fortuna Pizza and Cousins Subs/Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, and Tyranena beer, but you are also allowed to bring a picnic.
• Gates open at 1 including camping, prior to that you may be enlisted to help, the toilets always need a good scrub. So do us a favor and come after 1pm so we can get set up.

Any other questions let us know!

The workshop’s instructor is Madison’s own Chris Wagoner. An experience fiddle teacher and a founding member of Harmonious Wail, The Common Faces, The Bob Westfall Quartet, and The Moon Gypsies, Chris has had his foot in just about every musical circle in Madison. Classically trained as a violinist, Chris has been an in-demand performer and session musician in the region for almost two decades. He is the author of Hal Leonard’s Fiddle Method: Book 1 and is co-host of WORT’s Mad Toast Live. Chris and his band, the Stellanovas, will bring their swinging, original, and dynamic music to the Sugar Maple Festival’s Main Stage on Friday (July 29) night.

Open to Suzuki students, classical violinists who are interested in fiddling, or any other violinists, attendees should have 2-3 years of experience or be in the Suzuki Violin Book 2. The workshop will focus on one tune, Fire on the Mountain, which according to Chris is a quick and easy song to pick up by ear. “This will leave me some time to demonstrate different fiddle bowing techniques,” says Chris. “Bowing for fiddle is quite a bit different from classical bowing. It’s what gives this type of music its drive.”

Printed music will be available, although the ability to read music is not required. Students should bring their violin and a small music stand if using the printed music. Recording devises are also recommended.

If you are interested, please (with sugar on top and all over the place) email Stephanie Ramer. All volunteers are rewarded with a festival t-shirt, but they do buy their own ticket for the festival.

The Modern Sounds is a Chicago based trio featuring Joel Paterson on guitar and vocals; Beau Sample on string bass and vocals; Alex Hall on drums and vocals. This big little band is dedicated to performing traditional American music; specializing in rockabilly, hot jazz, western swing, classic blues and everything in between.

The Currach, features Darl Ridgley on bodhrán, Josh Perkins on guitar and Daithi Wolf on fiddle. This group is a Madison institution in the Irish traditional music scene, treating audiences with lively jigs and reels—“the stuff that’s been played in Irish pubs for hundreds of years,” according to Daithi Wolfe.

During the show, fans will have the opportunity to purchase weekend passes to the 2011 Sugar Maple Festival at a special Kick Off Show price of only $25! Amongst the acts lined up for this year’s Fest are Chulrua, a traditional Irish band who delivers music that has been handed down from generation to generation in Ireland, and folk legend Greg Brown, whose songwriting has been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Shawn Colvin, and many more.