A Big Thank You to all the folks who made the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival’s 10th Anniversary very special.
As director of the SSMF I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors and volunteers who came to the front lines to help out with this event. Tania and Tobin Spurkland, Suzie and Jerry Stranik, Laurel Hilts, Sadi Syn, Felicia Rowland, Bob Moser, Rose McInnes, Happy Schnieder, Darlene Crawford, Betsy Scott, Monty Hingley, Rob Rurka, Dan McElrath, Kathleen George, and myself took on major committees to spearhead the event.
Others stepped forward to help: Sherri Burt, Jackie Graese, Susan Zerwick, Daryl Scherkenbach, Byron McCord, Veda McElrath, Keith Gain and the ladies who provided food and snacks for the event. Thank you all!!!!
This year the event featured three days of fun, beginning with two free events. While riding Tustemena ferry Thursday afternoon the group of musicians en route to the festival got to know each other by jamming all the way to Seldovia. After another great “get to know you” event and dinner at the Linwood, some festival goers and locals participated in the festivals first open mike at SBE School. Some who had never attended made a debut!! Participant numbers swelled from three sign-ups to over 13 acts. Great fun!!
On Friday morning early birds got up to stretch with Betsy Scott at Yoga and then on to Matt Hammer’s Performance workshop at 10 AM. Several of us got pointers in presenting ourselves and our music on stage. I, for one, look at performing a bit differently!
Friday evening’s performances were outrageous, featuring headliner Danny Schmidt with Carrie Elkin. Liz Malys, Billy Goat, Milo Matthews, Alex De Pue , Miguel De Hoyos and Matt Hammer filled out the night. What magic can happen on our small stage here in Seldovia. .
Saturday morning early yoga was followed by a jam at the Tide Pool Café. This is always a great way to take a look at our wonderful harbor, spoon up some great eats, and enjoy the camaraderie of homemade music.
Saturday afternoon workshops were outstanding featuring : drumming (Kippy Lanz) , songwriting (Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin), fiddle facts from soup to nuts..and some one-on-one instruction (Alex De Pue, right hand guitar styles (Miguel De Hoyos), Technigues for Singing in Tune (Esther Golton), slow jamming (Kevin Cassidy), Blue Licks (Rob Rurka) Sound Healing (Shawn Zuke) and a Bass workshop (Milo Matthews.
Milo Matthews lead some workshop attendees in a Collaboration piece that was later performed on stage.. All eyes were on Milo and the piece was artfully accomplished in about an hour The group included almost complete strangers. I was completely impressed!!
Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival 