Here's the press release and the weekend schedule.
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New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers Association
1121 Comins Rd. Osceola
PO Box 24, Redfield, N.Y. 13437
July 11, 2013
http://www.nysotfa.com
SPECIAL PRESS RELEASE
Don Perkins, Northern Adirondack fiddling favorite and Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame Inductee will make a long-anticipated return engagement as featured artist at the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association’s 41st ANNUAL FIDDLERS PICNIC FESTIVAL, Thursday evening, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, at the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum, 1121 Comins Road, Osceola. The Fiddlers’ Picnic Festival is made possible in part through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency.
Don Perkins comes from a family of musicians with French-Canadian, Scottish and Irish roots, steeped in musical tradition. Old-time fiddling has long been an important part of the Perkins family heritage. Stories passed down through the years tell of generations of family members fiddling at kitchen dances until the wee hours of the morning, arriving home just in time to milk the cows.
Don received his first fiddle at age 5, took to it quickly, and played his first square dance at age 10. He has won first prize in fiddle contests in Vermont, Canada and New York. In 2001 he was inducted into the Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame for New York State, and he also had the honor of playing before former New York State First Lady Matilda Cuomo, at the Capitol in Albany. In 2002 the Perkins Family was presented the Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) North Country Heritage Award, given to individuals or groups for their mastery of and creative commitment to local traditions, customs and arts, and for their dedication to community and to the teaching of others. Don also plays electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass and 5-string banjo. He will be accompanied by his sister Phyllis and other family members on guitar and bass.
Local musicians are invited to enjoy swapping tunes with Don Perkins at the Free Pre- Festival Campfire Jam Session, Thursday evening, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame Pavilion, rain or shine. Don will also instruct fiddle classes at the Day-Long Paid Fiddle Workshops, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 26. (Other instructors are Gail and Phil Banaszak of Buffalo and Mark Weeg, of Rochester.) The fee for the Day-Long Friday Fiddle Workshops is $45 including lunch ($35 for NYSOTFA members.) Pre-registration is requested. To register and reserve a lunch, visit http://www.nysotfa.com or call 315-487-8806, or 315-599-7009 and leave a message.
Fiddlers’ Picnic Festival Schedule
Thursday, July 25
7:00 p.m. FREE campfire jam session, Fiddlers’ Pavilion, rain or shine. Friday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 26
9th Annual Day-Long Fiddlers’ Workshops: $45 ($35 for members)
Given by DON PERKINS, Gretchen & Phil Banaszak of Buffalo, NY and Mark Weeg of Rochester, NY
Friday eve., July 26
6:30 p.m. Gate opens; $8 ($5 for members). Weekend pass; $20 ($12 for members) “Festival Special” price of $12 for first-time new members.
7:00 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
8:00 p.m. Round/Square Dancing
Saturday, July 27
9:30 a.m. FREE Beginner workshops in fiddle and back-up guitar and piano – local instructors
10:45 a.m. FREE fiddle workshop with DON PERKINS
12:00 p.m. Gate opens; Admission: $8 ($5 for members)
12:30 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
1:30 p.m. Youth Program
2:30 p.m. Open Mike Performers
4:30 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
5:30 p.m. Open Mike Performers
7:30 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
8:30 p.m. Jamming and Dancing
Sunday, July 29
9:30 a.m. FREE coffee & donuts
10:00 a.m. Gospel Music Program
12:00 p.m. Gate opens: $8 ($5 for members)
12:30 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
1:30 p.m. Open Mike Performers
3:00 p.m. Awards-Inductions-Inductees’ Show
5:00 p.m. DON PERKINS CONCERT
All events take place in handicapped accessible facilities that include a covered, enclosable pavilion with stage and areas for seating and dancing, opening onto a patio with umbrella tables where patrons may hear and watch the show while enjoying refreshments available from a food vendor. The Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum is open during all the events. Public campsites are no longer available on Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame grounds, but space may be reserved at the adjacent Cedar Pine campground, www.cedarpine.net or (315) 599-7372. For directions or info about the Festival or to register for the Day-Long Fiddle Workshops visit www.nysotfa.com or call 315-599-7009 and leave a message.
