Thanks to a grant from The Foundation For Bluegrass Music, The Gaston School of the Arts in Gastonia, North Carolina will be hosting The Bluegrass Project on October 14-15, 2011. The project consists of activities for both students and teachers, including workshops, panel discussions, music instruction for students, jam sessions and performances by professional musicians.
The purpose of the event is to both educate the students, and provide the teachers in attendance with tools to teach their classes, about the history and cultural significance of bluegrass and traditional music in the region. As most devoted bluegrass fans know, North Carolina produced Snuffy Jenkins and Earl Scruggs, but also country music’s Don Gibson, and many more modern era bluegrass artists.
Participating presenters and performers will include Darin Aldridge, who teaches at the Gaston School of the Arts when his touring schedule permits, Jason Burleson, notable bluegrass fiction writer Dr. Tom Bibey, sociologist and singer-songwriter Al Dunkleman, Reggie Harris, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge band members Rachel Johnson and Dwayne Anderson.
The public is invited to a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (10/15), which will feature faculty members and guest artists. A nominal admission cost of $5.00 will be collected to cover concert production costs.
For directions to the school or other information about The Bluegrass Project, contact the Gaston School of the Arts by phone at 704 866-8882, or by email.
