The Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective is proud to sponsor and take part in, The 2nd Annual Spring String Gathering!

Hosted at the Clarion Convention Center in Baraboo, WI, The fest will feature impromptu jamming, showcases and workshops, and will coincide with an evening concert at the historic Al Ringling Theater.

The String Gathering is an indoor, Bluegrass and Old-time music jam-festival, in Baraboo, WI. The fest provides an opportunity for Bluegrass and Old-Time musicians all across Wisconsin, it’s bordering states and beyond, to come together and celebrate their common love of music, and shake off the long Midwestern winter.

For 2014, the host bands are Art Stevenson & High Water (bluegrass) and White Mule (old-time). Both bands will be leading workshops at the hotel, as well as jamming throughout the night. They will also be performing a special concert Saturday night at the Al Ringling Theater, in downtown Baraboo.

New in 2014, the Gathering doubles down! They’ve added a day to the fest… twice the jams; twice the fun. And there will be an old-time contra dance Friday night, featuring host band, White Mule (and very likely Chirps Smith), with caller Dot Kent. All are welcome at the dance; you don’t need a partner or experience. Just show up ready to have fun.

For more information, see their website at www.stringgathering.org

Friday

6:00 PM Dave Landau (music for kids)
7:15 PM Kiki’s House of Righteous Music  presents Dietrich Gosser

Saturday

10:30 AM Bloody mary jam with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
12:30 PM Chris Wagoner Honky Tonkin’ fiddle workshop
2:00 PM Martha Redbone Roots Project workshop
3:45 PM Dave Landau (music for kids)
4:30 PM Don Stiernberg Trio swing workshop
6:00 PM Kevin Prater Bluegrass Band Workshop
7:00 PM Cajun Dance Class with Karen Holden
8:15 PM Madison Singer/Songwriters Stage with Rich Baumann, John Dugglebyand Tracy Jane Comer

This year Sugar Maple is proud to offer a Suzuki to Roots Fiddle Workshop on the Roots & Reason Stage on Saturday, July 30 at 12:30 pm.

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.

Chulrua (pronounced cool-ROO-ah) is an internationally acclaimed trio of the most respected and unique exponents of Irish traditional music. Their music, which is comprised of the old instrumental dance melodies of Ireland: jigs, reels, and hornpipes, will transport you to the Emerald Isle and make you dream of Erin. Button accordion icon Paddy O’Brien is a true master and is revered by Irish music aficionados worldwide. Together with Dale Russ (fiddle) and Brian Miller (guitar and vocals) they have almost 70 years of experience performing at community fairs and festivals, colleges and universities, folk clubs, and a variety of other venues—doing concerts, workshops, dances, and school residencies all over the United States. Chulrua concerts are in keeping with the old tradition—music in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, and tunes offered as they were handed down from generation to generation in Ireland. Prepare to be enchanted and delighted. You may even catch yourself doing a jig.

You can catch Chulrua several times during the festival-performing on the Main stage and in a more intimate, workshop setting on the Roots & Reasons stage Friday night!

This marks the eighth year in a row Dave Landau has entertained children of all ages at the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival. Storytelling and performing children’s music are two of Dave’s passions and talents. A former elementary school teacher, Dave has been performing as a full-time musician for the past eight years. A singer and guitarist with Madison based Cork n’ Bottle Bluegrass Band, his musical programs are educational, entertaining, and motivating.

Catch this award winning children’s entertainer at the Roots & Reason Stage both Friday and Saturday.