I have attended just about every Fiddle Hell Massachusetts since its inception, and I don't even play the fiddle!
If you do, you can take workshops from some of the finest fiddlers in their genres in the world.
If you do not, come Saturday for the concert and contradance.

See you in (Fiddle) Hell!

Plan now for Fiddle Hell Weekend, Nov. 4-6, Westford, MA!

Bruce Molsky and Andrea Beaton (and our 50 other workshop and jam leaders) want to remind you that our fantastic musical weekend is just six weeks away!  We'll be back at the Westford Regency with lots of free parking. More infohere. I just posted the details of all 270 workshops and jams here,  Click on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday Schedule on the left.  This is an incredible set of workshops and jams; having to choose which ones to join is truly the "hellish" aspect of Fiddle Hell!  To see details on the leaders, click on Session Leaderson the left. Sign up for the weekend now: You can prepay here and save a little money. Or just pay when you arrive.  We have discounts for seniors, young adults, and kids, and a few scholarships if you can't afford the fee. Book your room now if you need one: The Westford Regency is sold out on Friday and Saturday nights (although it never hurts to check at 978-692-8200).  However, there are rooms available at the Residence Inn Boston Westford at 978-392-1407 (8 minutes walk, across the road) and at the Hampton Inn and Suites 978-392-1555 (a mile or so down the road). Take a look at our new common tune list:  For 2016, we've created a new list of 52 common tunes in addition to the original list, based on your suggestionson the Fiddle Hell survey over the last 3 years. Tell your friends about the Saturday night concert (Nov 5th, 7PM): Twenty fiddlers, followed by a contra dance (dance or sit in with the band). Free parking, doors open at 6:30PM.

New instructors for 2016 include Bruce Molsky (oldtime), Katie McNally(Scottish), Skip Gorman (bluegrass, cowboy), Ellery Klein (Irish), Autumn Rose Lester (New England), David Surette (mandolin), Rachel Maloney and Chris Turner (oldtime, blues, East European, harmonica, and the new Friday nightt Whomp!) and Gretchen Koehler (New England, Canadian).  Susie Burke and Emy Phelps will also help with a workshop or two. Returning instructors Alan Kaufman, Art Schatz, Andrea Beaton, Andy Reiner, Art Bryan, Becky Tracy, Bennett Hammond, Bethany Waickman, Bob Alessio, Cathy Mason, Clayton March, Darol Anger, Dave Reiner, David Kaynor, David Moultrup, Ed Pearlman, Ellen Carlson, Eric Eid-Reiner, Eric Favreau, Frank Ferrel, George Fowler, Jason Anick, Jenna Moynihan, Jerry Wile, John Chambers, John Robinson, Joy Adams (cello), Julie Metcalf, Laurel Martin, Lissa Schneckenburger, Lorraine Hammond, Mariel Vandersteel, Mark Simos, Marshall Racowsky, Michelle Kaminsky, Oliver Scanlon, Paul Harty, Pete Anick, Pete Sutherland, Rob Flax, Shana AIsenberg, Tim Rowell, and Tom Morley will be back again to teach tunes and techniques at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, and to lead jams in various styles. Click here and then click on Session Leaders 2016 on the left to see details about our 2016 instructors, who are great players and experienced, supportive teachers. In addition to fiddlers, mandolin players, violists and cellists are welcome. Other instrumentalists will need to check with me first.  We've added quite a few singing sessions and mandolin sessions in 2016, and there are alsooldtime banjo and guitar workshops.

Helpful Links Fiddle Hell logistics, lodging, and leaders  Fiddle Hell schedule (has daily schedules and details for 2016, overall grid coming in October)) New list of 52 common tunes and 2-CD set of original common tunes played fast and slow Join the Facebook Group for Fiddle Hell Massachusetts    Join the 2016 Fiddle Hell Facebook Event   Follow Fiddle Hell Massachusetts (@FiddleHell) on Twitter  Offer a ride or request one for Fiddle Hell 2016 at this free carpool site

Happy #ArtsMatterDay!

Just do it!

Happy #ArtsMatterDay! Join hundreds of organizations and artists for an online celebration of arts & culture by sharing why arts matter to you. Let's take social media by storm and prove that arts matter in Massachusetts! 

Here’s what you can do:

Take an #ArtsMatter picture or video.

Follow MASSCreative on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Share #ArtsMatter stories, pictures, and videos from your favorite arts organizations.

Check out our participating arts & cultural organizations. While you're out at arts & cultural events, post about it with the hashtag, #ArtsMatterDay.

We're partnering with cities and towns across the Commonwealth to get candidates and voters talking about arts and culture leading up to Election Day on Nov 8. Ask the candidates via social media why #ArtsMatter to them.

Keep up the good work,

Matt Wilson, MASSCreative
http://www.mass-creative.org/

Arlo Guthrie to perform at the Somerville Theatre on November 3rd

Fresh off the heels of a hugely successful Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour, the Running Down The Road Tour comes to Somerville

Dan Smalls Presents:
Arlo Guthrie - Running Down The Road Tour
Thursday, November 3rd
8:00pm
The Somerville Theatre, Somerville MA

Tickets are on sale now at The Somerville Theatre box office, online at http://somervilletheatre.com/live-events/ 

Click for hi res

Folk music icon Arlo Guthrie is a legendary artist who shares timeless stories and unforgettable classic songs as he carries on the Guthrie family legacy. With his singular voice as both a singer-songwriter and social commentator, he has maintained a dedicated fan base that spans the globe.

On the heels of the sold-out Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour, Arlo Guthrie plunges into another musical trip certain to be a flashback-inducing, mind-expanding show. For the Running Down The Road Tour, Arlo will again hit the road with his band to fully embody the best of Guthrie's catalogue from the late sixties
and early seventies.

Featuring the most outstanding cuts from Arlo (1968), Running Down The Road (1969), Washington County (1970) along with many others, this tour exemplifies the sound that shaped a generation. Guthrie's upcoming tour promises to take the audience back to the most remarkable, far-out era.

Tickets for Arlo Guthrie- Running Down The Road Tour at the Somerville Theatre on Thursday, November 3rd are on sale now at the Somerville Theatre box office and online at http://somervilletheatre.com/live-events/