Thanks…

!!Dan Crary and Thunderation

A concert by Thunderation is whistling winds in the pines, rambling boys and tragic girls, joys and laughter from old times, fast and furious instrumental tunes and a little touch of glory-to-god. And it’s ghosts of Jimmie Rogers and The Carter Family and Bill and Lester and Earl and Woodie Guthrie and all the greats who showed us the way

When Thunderation plays, you may “shiver when the cold wind blows,” but it’s OK because pretty soon, “sun’s gonna’ shine in my back door someday.”

DAN CRARY is the musical legend, master of the guitar, a founder and pioneer of flatpicking, and a stylist with an international reputation for innovation, taste, and brilliance. His performance style blends traditional material from a variety of American sources and continues to blaze exciting new territory in his recordings and personal appearances today. Dan is a veteran of tours in more than thirty countries as he connects musically and personally with fans throughout the world. If creativity, quality, and longevity are hallmarks of artistic achievement, then Dan Crary must be recognized as one of the greatest traditional artists of our day.

STEVE SPURGIN is a native son of the Lone Star State whose song writing, recording, and performing have spanned the globe and earned him wide acclaim and a multitude of fans. As a former Nashville staff writer penning songs for the publishing companies of Gene Watson and Reba McEntire, Steve has several major country music hits to his credit and has received awards from BMI and IBMA, as well as being a “New Folk” winner at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival. His “performed with” resume’ includes, among others, the super group California, Byron Berline and Sundance, Mason Williams, Freddy Fender, and The Limelighters.

MARTIN STEVENS already packs a musical wallop. He has a decade of experience and a substantial reputation in the Pacific northwest. He is destined to become a force to be reckoned with in American roots music.

James Lee Stanley and Cliff Eberhardt  All Wood and Doors

Fans of The Doors, acoustic guitar aficionados, as well as Crosby Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield, Rubber Soul, the Eagles, or classic Beach Boys harmonies are in for a real treat.

Can you imagine what The Doors songs would have sounded like if they had been created with acoustic guitars? Would Light My Fire, Riders On the Storm or Touch Me been as powerful played on acoustic guitars and filled with vocal harmonies?

The idea behind James Lee Stanley and Cliff Eberhardt going into the studio in May of 2010 was to make a recording like no other you’ve ever heard. The secret? Take classic Doors songs and rearrange them through their (James & Cliff’s) own sensibilities of acoustic guitars and rich vocal harmonies, tempered through thirty years of making acoustic rock music. Both James Lee and Cliff are well equipped to deliver the goods.

FI magazine called James Lee Stanley’s solo guitar and voice cd, Freelance Human Being, “a masterpiece and one of the all time great recordings.” Sing Out magazine said of Cliff Eberhardt’s latest solo effort, “palpable intimacy and passion… it’s Eberhardt’s soulful renditions, mixed with the CD’s perfect acoustics, that fools you into thinking Cliff was performing in your living room.”

Between them Cliff and James Lee have recorded over 30 acoustic rock music albums. Then they came together and created a genuine masterpiece. All Wood and Doors will serve to reintroduce the musical genius of James Lee Stanley and Cliff Eberhardt to the world.

James Lee and Cliff spent the better part of 2010 picking and arranging the songs, recording and producing, mixing and mastering what Beachwood Recordings considers to be one of the crown jewels in its catalog. James Lee was either in the studio recording his latest solo CD, Backstage At The Resurrection or recording All Wood and Doors with Cliff for the entire year. Cliff has been on tour promoting his latest solo CD, 500 Miles: The Blue Rock Sesssions, when he wasn’t in the studio with James Lee recording All Wood and Doors. James will be returning to Seldovia as a headliner and Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Look for more surprises to come as we continue to fill our schedule:  Supporting acts will be accepted until March 1.. and festival participants will be notified by March 15.

New festival email address: solsticefestO@gmail.com    Applications can be found here on site:  Mail them to Box 41, Seldovia, Alaska..99663

Streching not only your imagination....

Ferry jam getting started.Moira teaching a song.

Streching not only your imagination…

Chefs

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practicing with Dan McElrath

Slow hand jam techniques..with Kevin Cassidy

Moria Smiley and Voco’s harmony workshop.

Robin Hopper's Choirchimes and Boomwackers

The Nelezen's dance

Songwriting intensive with Robin Hopper

Songwriting workshop with Jaime Michaels and Paul Thompson

Meet and greet at the local pub

jamming on the ferry, Tustemena

jamming in the sunshine

moira and VOCO get creative

Boomwacking with Robin Hopper

Songwriting intensive with Robin Hopper

moira and VOCO harmony and body percussion

J

June 17
8 AM yoga for everyone
10 AM Contra dance workshop
10 Am Writers workshop
10 Am Sound check for headliners
1-4 PM Sound checks see schedule

7:00 PM
Festival Mainstage

June 18
8 am yoga for everyone
10 AM Tide Pool Song Circle
1-4 Workshops
4-6ish.. Performer Dinner
7:00
Festival Mainstage

June 19
2 PM Gospel Jam

Both are award winning performers in their genre. (see individual biographies in the column to the right.)

Other performers include a mix of national and international pros and Local Seldovian favorites. Those performers are: Paul Thompson from the United Kingdom, Bianca De Leon from Austen, Texas, Karen and Don Mc Natt from Nashville, Diamonds in the Rough , from Illinois,Anne and Rob Nelezen from Wisconsin, Anchorage area performers, Mt. Echo,

Dan McElrath, Robin Hopper and the Acoustic Banana and local performers, Betsy Scott, the Rob Rurka Band and Brian Slover and Billy Goat!

Participants and performers alike can begin the festival on June 16, while attending the Ferry Jam on the Alaska Marine Highway ship, Tustemena, then follow up with an evening of open mike participation. Those who bring their instruments and talent to Seldovia, yet are not on the roster can be a big part of these events.

Friday morning will include workshops in songwriting, and contra-dance, a session of yoga and a chance to get some sight-seeing done. Friday evening the first main-stage event will take place. Be there at 7 PM for an evening of fine performances.

Saturday morning get up early for a session of yoga for musicians and then head on down to the Tide Pool Cafe for a song circle. Saturday afternoon 1:30-4 workshops of all types for all ages will be part of the fun. Again in the evening 7PM great performances on the mainstage.

Sunday at 2 PM you can join the gospel jam on the

porch of Dancing Eagles Lodge.

More events will be added so keep an eye on this post..

A Big Thank You

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!!

These events precede the official start of the festival which will begin Friday morning, June 18 at 10 AM with a Performance workshop taught by Alaskan Songwriter and longtime performer, Matt Hammer. In this workshop you can hone your stage presence, work on mike handling and more.

Friday evening at 7:00 the festival main stage will feature a variety of Alaskan, National and International touring acts.

Saturday at 10 AM there will be a song circle lead  by headliner Danny Schmidt.  You can enjoy breakfast and coffee at the Tidepool Restaurant as you join in.

A variety of music related workshops will run simultaneously at 1:00 PM.  Try  a drumming circle with Kippy Lanz, learn some interesting fiddle facts from Alex De Pue,  hone your guitar skills with Miguel De Hoyos,  get some tips on singing  in tune with Esther Golton, or harmonizing with  Kevin Cassidy, Kippy Lanz and Liza Jaimeson.  All of us kids will enjoy a puppet show with Crista Cady. We can try song writing with Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin, and we can attend a sound healing workshop with  Shawn Zuke.  Milo Matthews will head up the collaboration of artists this year. Are we having fun yet?  There is a lot more.

After the workshops there will be a Performer/Volunteer dinner- preshowtime 4:30- 6:00 .. All performers and volunteers  are welcome to join in for a delightful dinner prepared by our Hospitality Committee.

Saturday evening at 7:00 is the second half of the main stage presentations.

After the show listen for jam sites.

Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM you can sit out on the porch at “Dancing Eagles” and sing along in the Gospel Sing.

Headlining acts this year include Alex De Pue and Miguel De Hoyos. Alex is an extraordinary violinist who has won many awards for his sizzling strings and facility in many fiddle styles. He was born to classically trained parents, and has brothers who carry the family tradition. He is one of the virtuoso De Pue Brothers but Alex takes the fiddle to a whole new level .  He recently was chosen to be the fiddler of the Stevie Vai band, touring since 2007.  He often partners with Miguel De Hoyos who is one of Mexico’s finest guitarists.  Miguel has flawlessly entertained heads of state and foreign dignitaries in a classical style. When playing together a jaw dropping synergy that suspends belief is created.   Alex and Miguel branch off into rock classics, bluegrass, and more in their truly awesome performances.

Headliner Danny Schmidt from Austin, Texas is a truly gifted songwriter –poet. His compelling songs are those you bend your ears to capture.  His a gentle intricate style and accomplished musicianship complements his inspired imagery. His songs echo many of his viewpoints about life in general and about what is truly important.   Danny will be accompanied by edgy Austin songstress Carrie Elkin, a star in her own right.

Timeline:

By two paid head-ling acts are selected.  If you wish to be considered for this, please contact us between July and November.  Acts that have been personally previewed will be considered first.  Notification of headlining acts will be January.

Beginning in January applications for  25 minute unpaid positions will be taken.  Acts chosen for these slots will receive transportation across the bay from Homer and housing while in Seldovia.

Send us:

Name of Act:

Band Members:
Describe a Workshop you would like to teach.

Stage Requirements Mikes, stands, chairs etc.

Housing Requirements  (Can you share a room etc.)
Transportation requirements (How do you plan to come to Seldovia?)

Biography of group for program.. Recommendations from media…a digital picture…
Send applications (postmarked by March 1)

Susan Mumma

Festival Director

Seldovia Arts Counci

Box 41  Seldovia,  Alaska

OR   Please send applications via email to seldovia.festival.gmail.com

Headlining this year’s Festival will be Mary Jane Lamond Gaelic Singer and Wendy MacIsaac,  Cape Breton Fiddler and Patrick Gillis, guitarist, also from Cape Breton Island.

Also heading this year’s festival is commedian Robert Post. The zany gentleman will act as master of ceremonies and treat us to some

very funny dramatic pieces as well.

Adding spice to the mix will be a wide variety of local and Alaskan acts, such asfavorite singer -songwriters, Robin Hopper and Eric Braendel and jazz dance bands like theDan Mac Trio. We will also be hosting professional touring artists from across the United States and Canada. Jaime Michaels and Emily Kurn will be new the festival. Returning boogie woogie pianistRadoslav Lorkovic will be creating a special collaboration of artists and teaching piano workshops for the festival ,a great surprise for everyone concerned! Popular Anchorage bluegrass group Town Creekand jazz group Hot Club of Nunaka are hoping that you will bring your dancing shoes. Celtic artists, Faolanand Back Alley Banned will add to the Celtic celebration. Seldovian artists, Tim Davis, Rob Rurka’ s Red Moutain Ramblers , Betsy Scott, Simone de Biblioteque and Billy Goat will be featured as well. World music will step in time with Relatively Famous.

A special ferry jam on the “Tusty” will preceed the festival on Thursday. Shows will take place on Friday and Saturday Evenings beginning at  6:30 .We have added a Friday  Morning songwriting seminar featuring the skills of Alaskan Robin Hopper.  Saturday morning there will be song circles and jamming around town. Workshops, such as song writing, Irish flute, piano, drumming, singing and harmonizing and more will fill out Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 pm.