2012 Banjo Collectors Gathering, Ferrum, VA (October 4-7, 2012)

[Greg Adams]

Dear Forum Members,

I was in recent correspondence with banjo collector extraordinaire and he asked that I share information here about the latest Collectors Gathering event. 

Thank you,

Greg

<BEGIN BCG INFO>

Banjo Friends,

We're pleased to announce that the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum will host the 14th Annual Banjo Gathering in Ferrum, VA, on October 4-7, 2012. This is the extended Columbus Day weekend.

The Blue Ridge Institute, directed by Banjo Gathering member Roddy Moore, has pioneered in documenting and presenting the folkways of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We will have access to their permanent collection of folk instruments as well as their major research library and recording archives.

The program, extending from Thursday after dinner through Sunday morning, is one of the most varied and exciting yet. While we’re still making final arrangements,  the programs include: 

• Commodore Perry’s  Olio Minstrels ( Thursday evening ) : 
  • Robert Fraker  and Philip Gura will introduce us to recently discovered documents related to Commodore Perry’s seduction of Japan through minstrelsy and the banjo.
• Boucher banjos ( Friday morning ) :
  • A Dream Team of scholars Greg Adams, Pete Ross and Bob Winans, along with commentary by Roddy Moore, our host and pioneering Boucher collector, will review what we know about the man; shower us with a cornucopia of Boucher imagery; and present a survey of many of the 40+ extant Boucher banjos. We’re also putting together a study collection for the Gathering, which will be the largest collection of Boucher banjos ever amassed.
• Kyle Creed banjos ( Friday afternoon ) :
  • There will be scholarly presentations  by Tom Mylet and Kevin Fore— and remembrances of Kyle — as well as a major study collection of Creed banjos and artifacts . In addition there will be a panel discussion on revivalist Creed -style banjos on Friday evening.
• Craig Evans , Videographer ( Friday afternoon ) :
  • Craig will present his latest banjo videos- focusing on several important American collections.
• The  History of the Plectrum Banjo ( Friday afternoon ) :
  • John Hoft will present another of his excellent lectures on 20th century banjos - namely the birth of the plectrum banjo.
• The Tsumura Collection ( Saturday morning) :
  • Banjo history scholar extraordinaire,  Eli Kaufman,  will take us on a virtual tour of The Hamamatsu Museum which currently houses the bulk of  Akira Tsumura's 19th Century banjo collection.
• Oddball Fairbanks-Vega Instruments  ( Saturday morning ):
  • Andy Fitzgibbon will present a photo essay of some of the weirdest stringed instruments ever produced by these two Boston firms
• Mountain banjos ( Saturday afternoon ) :
  • Roddy Moore will demystify  Appalachian mountain banjos , showing  their regional styles. A wide array of mountain banjos will be on display. There will be free time on Saturday afternoon to tour the collections of the Blueridge Institute.
• Mike Seeger Collection ( Saturday evening ):
  • Bob Carlin, Fred Oster and Mike’s wife, Alexia Smith, will give us an insider’s view of Mike’s instrument collection.
• Black Banjo Players ( Sunday morning) :
  • Tony Thomas will present " The Black Banjo Players of the Digital Libraray of Appalachia ".
  • Cece Conway will show more of her incredible videos of black banjo players.

There will be hundreds of period banjos on display, many of them for sale or trade, as well as many banjo-related artifacts and ephemera. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments for show & tell and for sale.

 Our meeting room on the beautiful campus of Ferrum College is the most commodious ever - an enormous ballroom on the second floor of the 2-story college conference center with a floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the campus on three sides. The room is large enough to accommodate our presentations and as many display tables as we desire. There is a large lobby adjacent to the meeting room for informal chats and jams.

In the same complex is a large cafeteria that serves vegan as well as normal fare. There are also several fast food establishments downstairs: a Poppa John's Pizza, Subway and a Starbuck's. The college will host a banquet dinner one evening and an outdoor pig roast on a second evening. For those who desire more urbane fare, fine restaurants in Roanoke are a 45-minute drive away. 

HOTELS:

Holiday Inn Express, Rocky Mount

We’re sorry that you’ve had difficulties with the Holiday Inn Express confirming the Banjo Gathering special room rate for single or double occupancy of $80.95 + tax including breakfast. They’ve assured us that they have their act together and confirmed the $80.95 rate.

If you’ve already made a reservation please let Peter know ([e-mail]) and he’ll confirm with the hotel that you’re locked into the lower rate.

If you haven’t reserved a room yet, call 540-489-5001 for reservations and mention the BANJO GATHERING to qualify for the special room rate.

Comfort Inn, Rocky Mount

Rooms are also available at the more Spartan Comfort Inn, Rocky Mount, $66.00 + tax.  Call 504-489-4000 for reservations and mention the BANJO GATHERING to qualify for the special room rate.

Remember to let either hotel know if you want a non-smoking room.

IMPORTANT: THE CUTOFF DATE FOR BLOCK ROOM RESERVATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 17! The quantity of rooms is limited, so we recommend making your reservations as soon as possible. We need to know immediately if you are planning to attend so that the Institute can deal with various logistical issues. You can pay the registration  fee later at your conveniece.

As we’ve previously mentioned, Rocky Mount is an easy 10-mile drive from Ferrum College where all the Banjo Gathering events will take place. We'll work out car pool system back and forth.

We need to know arrival and departure times if you're planning to fly into Roanoke airport ( about 35 miles from Ferrum) . There will be limited van service to Ferrum but only for folks who let us know soon.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee for the Gathering is $225. As always, we recommend signing up early to avoid disappointment as we can only accommodate a limited number of participants. We do allow first time participants to attend one day of their choice for half the registration fee ( $112.50 ).

We offer a 50% discounted registration fee for the second member of a couple both of whom plan on actively participating in the Gathering. So the total registration fee for a two-participant couple is $337.50. 

Registration payments should be made to:

Peter Szego

2 Beekman Lane

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

If you have any questions you can email Peter at [e-mail] or Jim at [e-mail].

Jim Bollman

Peter Szego

If you're not already on our mailing list and would like to be added please contact :    Hank Schwartz  [e-mail]

 We hope to see you in October.    Peter, Jim, and Hank

[Trapdoor2]

I've been lobbying Miz Diane to attend. Still can't commit...though it is an easy 9hr drive.

I'll keep working on her!