May 30, 2013. The Town of Boone’s Cultural Resources department and Downtown Boone Development Association announce Jones House Pickin’ Parties – a series of free musical evenings at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center on Thursdays in June, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Pickin’ Party events will feature a “slow jam” and an instrument “petting zoo” with banjos, fiddles, dulcimers, ukuleles, guitars, and mandolins. “The slow jam is an opportunity for musicians to join a group jam session that is catered to advanced beginners and intermediate players,” says Cultural Resources Coordinator, Mark Freed. “It is ideal for people who can play, but don’t have a lot of experience playing with others.”
In a slow jam, fiddle tunes are played at a moderate pace, very gradually picking up speed with the help of a leader. The instrument “petting zoo” will be available to give beginners and those considering trying a new instrument opportunities to have a hands-on experience. Instructors will be on hand to help tune instruments, demonstrate playing techniques, and talk with participants about the instruments and music lessons.
The instruments were purchased through a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, and they will be available for rent during music lessons offered at the Jones House starting on July 11. Lessons are offered in 5-week sessions, meeting each Thursday at the Jones House. Lessons are taught in groups, beginning from ages seven through adult.
Local instructors steeped in old-time and bluegrass traditions teach the lessons in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, and ukulele, from beginning through intermediate levels. The cost is $50 for each five-lesson session.
Anyone is welcome to participate in the free evenings on Thursdays in June for “slow jams” and the instrument “petting zoo,” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The events will be followed by the weekly Jones House Jam that takes place from 7:30-11:00 p.m. every Thursday. The music lessons that begin in July cost $50 for a five-week session.
To register for music lessons, or to find out more information about the musical evenings in June, please contact Mark Freed at (828) 262-4576 or (828) 268-6282 or send an email to mark.freed@townofboone.net
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