Nic Gareiss with flying feet performs Friday.
By T-Claw Crawford
Guest Writer
Singing and dancing are among July events at the John C. Campbell Folk School.
• From 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 7 English country dancers fill the halls of Keith House with beautiful choreography and the sweet grand piano and violin music of Oregonians Betsy Branch and Sue Songer.
If it is your first time, enjoy simple walk-throughs and instruction on the earlier easier dances. Listeners are welcome.
• At 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 8-12 dance musicians’ week staff and student bands will offer dancing in various venues in Brasstown. Visit: www.folkschool.org/calendar for details.
• From 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 12 will kick off with a concert in the round. Nic Gareiss and Jack Devereux are fantastic performers on fiddle and feet. We plan to set up concert seating in the round so you get a 360-degree acoustic concert. After this we’ll segue into audience participatory dances with various bands and callers. See concert videos at: www.nicgareiss.com.
• From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13 we celebrate in our 29th annual All-Day Shape Note Singing in Open House (by the Folk School Gardens). Beginning at 9 a.m. there will be an introduction to singing Sacred Harp and Christian Harmony music for beginners. Loaner books are available. Sing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and bring a dish for dinner on the grounds at 12 p.m.
Come learn the shapes, contemplate the poetry and relish the power of voices raised together in song. We welcome first-timer and experienced shape-note singers to use Christian Harmony and Sacred Harp tune books. Experience the beauty of unaccompanied four-part harmony.
Singings are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
Lineup and schedule are subject to change. A donation of $5-10 per adult is suggested for most events, but all are welcome regardless of contribution. Any funds raised support traditional arts and help with equitable pay for performers.