With thousands of old time and bluegrass enthusiasts converging this week for the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, VA, the city’s Chestnut Creek School of the Arts has scheduled a week’s worth of activities related to the festival in its two Galax facilities.
Located a short walk from Felts Park where the festival is sited, Chestnut Creek will host a pair of exhibits relating to the festival at their main building on Main Street, with open jam sessions at their Woodworking Studio another block away. Special classes and musical demonstrations will be held through the week, with a flatfoot dancing workshop on Friday morning at the nearby Rex Theater.
Here is this week’s schedule:
Monday-Saturday (8/8-13)
- Fiddlers Convention Through the Decades and 7 Days in August exhibits
Wednesday (8/10)
- 1:00 p.m. – Banjo and Fiddle Duets Showcase with Eddie Bond, Kirk Sutphin, Billy Hurt, Brennen Ernst, Corrina Logston Stephens, and Jeremy Stephens
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Open Jam at the Woodworking Studio
Thursday (8/11)
- 11:00 a.m. – Photography Workshop with Pat Jarrett ($10)
- 1:00 p.m. – Bluegrass and Old-time Music Showcase with Kilby Spencer, Peco Watson, Wayne Dye, Bobby Lundy Grace Wilson, Sammy Shelor, and Billy Hawks
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Open Jam at the Woodworking Studio
Friday (8/12)
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Artists/Market Demonstration: The market includes items hand-crafted by local artists as well as demonstrations. Come meet the artists and watch them at work.
- 11:00 a.m. – Flatfooting Workshop with Julie Shepherd-Powell at the Rex Theater ($10)
- 1:00-4:00 p.m. – Hands-on at the Woodworking Studio: make a step-a-tune ($20 includes materials)
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Open Jam at the Woodworking Studio
Saturday (8/13)
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Artists Market
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Luthier Day Demonstration at the Woodworking Studio with Chris Testerman, Jackson Cunningham, Harrol Blevins, Jeff Sebens, Jayne Henderson, John Hollandsworth, and Bill Anderson, who will offer a seminar on Instrument Care and Repair at 11:00 a.m.
Lots of veteran Galaxers like to get out of the park for a little while each day, even if only to stretch their legs and grab a bite to eat. With all these events within three blocks of the festival, it may be worth a visit this week.
You can check this week’s schedule at the Chestnut Creek web site.
