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Boone’s Cultural Resources Department, DBDA Announce Jones House Pickin’ Parties on Thursdays

Photo courtesy of Mark Freed
Photo courtesy of Mark Freed

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.” 

Photo courtesy of Mark Freed
Photo courtesy of Mark Freed

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