May 20, 2022
As we're finally getting going on the summer (dulcimer) festival season, I took a moment to look back through my photo archives. Here's a photo from February of 2012, just a bit over ten years ago. I'm standing in a community center in Dunedin, Florida, with clinician Tull Glazener (he's on the left, if you're one of those very rare people that doesn't recognize Tull!), and club leader Roxie Smith. Tull was teaching at Roxie's club that day, and I was in the area for another festival and was invited to set up a small display.
It was a nice time - seeing Tull again, meeting Roxie, and hanging out with a building full of dulcimer players.
Tull Glazener, Roxie Smith, and Richard Ash
Now it's the start of festival season 2022 - this'll be the first full season since 2019. There have been a few outliers (thank you, Black Mountain Music Fest!), but most festivals have been shut down the last few years. Even the events here at Folkcraft - jams, clinics, festivals - have been largely curtailed. This summer and fall, I'll be seeing lots of you at KMW, Evart, BMMF, and a whole series of Second Saturday Clinics here at Folkcraft. Our weekly jams (Woodburn Dulcimer Club, Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the Folkcraft shop) resumed last fall, so those are in full swing for the summer and fall, too.
I've talked with a lot of you about virtual festivals versus in-person festivals. There's a lot to be said for virtual festivals, but as a student, and as a teacher, I really prefer seeing people "for real." I like the interaction, sharing the space, hearing their instruments. I can't wait to start seeing more and more of you at this year's festivals.
Here's a link to our upcoming events page - where I'll generally be vending, teaching, and doing repairs, or some combination, at each of these festivals/clinics.
See you there!
