Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:07:30 -0400
From: Shakori Hills
Subject: 5th Annual Hoppin’ John FIddlers’ Convention – Sept. 15-17, 2011
The 5th Annual Hoppin’ John Old-Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention Sept 15-17, 2011
Shakori Hills Community Arts Center presents The Hoppin’ John Old-Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention, now in its 5th year.
Hoppin’ John is a three-day event for musicians, dancers and music-lovers to come together and celebrate the traditions of old-time and bluegrass music. There are dance, instrument and band contests for all ages, square dances, a cook-off, and many unscheduled special musical moments!
The convention helps keep traditional music alive and provides an opportunity for young people to play on stage and be exposed to some of the musicians who have helped inspire them in their love of traditional music. North Carolina is known for old-time and bluegrass fiddlers’ conventions and Hoppin’ John is bound to be the new favorite in the state!
The event will kick off on Thursday night this year with local boys Big Fat Gap at 7pm and a Rowdy Square Dance with the Five Points Rounders at 9pm . Individual contests will begin on Friday afternoon and run throughout Saturday. On Friday night at 9pm and Saturday after the contests wrap up, the convention welcomes <http://www.thefreighthoppers.com/>The Freight Hoppers, a high energy old-time band from the cradle of the Smoky Mountains, to the Dance Tent.
This year’s Hoppin’ John will be celebrating the 40th Reunion of the Green Grass Cloggers, the premiere clogging group of North Carolina. The Green Grass Cloggers will be performing and offering workshops throughout the day on Saturday.
As always, there will be a Hoppin’ John Cook-off. Contests include: band (old-time, bluegrass, and non-traditional), old-time and bluegrass instrument (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass), folk song, and dance. There will also be contest for youth musicianship. $3550 total in cash prizes!
Tickets & Admission (purchased at the gate only):
Contestant Tickets: $20 w/ $10 refund
Friday Admission: $8
Saturday Admission: $12
Camping: $10 per vehicle per night – $15 per night for RVs
Day Parking is Free!
There will be great craft and musical instrument vendors as well as food vendors, including the Shakori Hills Pizza Shack and BBQ so prepare to bring the family and stay for the weekend!
More info available at <http://www.hoppinjohn.org>www.hoppinjohn.org.
—
Sara Waters
Co-coordinator / Public Relations / Booking
Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival: October 6-9, 2011
1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd.
Silk Hope, NC 27312
http://www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org/
919-542-8142
Donate to the Land Fund for Shakori Hills Community Arts Center!
http://www.grassrootsstore.org/store/home.php?cat=255