David M. - Posted - 09/02/2010:  07:35:25

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Fiddlers Picnic in Iowa City is coming up soon. This was mentioned in another thread, so I thought I'd repost the link. It's a full afternoon of lots of music, stage shows, workshops, and jams in the barns, parking lots, and fields. There are usually instrument vendors, too, so it's a good place to look for a new fiddle and test drive some.

fiddlerspicnic.org/

I think on the night before on the 18th at Uptown Bill's in Iowa City, there's a Fiddlers Showcase of some of the local area's fiddle players like Al Murphy, Norbert Sarsfield, Guy Drollinger and several others. All proceeds from the hat will go to Uptown Bill's, a non-profit organization. So, if any out of towners are there Sat. night, hit that up as well.

uptownbills.org/

See yall there!

Percy - Posted - 09/02/2010:  08:51:03

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This sounds like a wonderful time. I'm going to try like crazy to make it!

woodwiz - Posted - 09/02/2010:  09:22:37

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I'd love to come, but let me think a moment.

Let's see, Iowa, Winfield, Iowa, Winfield, Iowa, Winfield, Iowa, Winfield..........

And the winner is.....................

David M. - Posted - 09/02/2010:  09:24:10

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Hey, Winfield would DEFINITELY be fun, for sure.

DougD - Posted - 09/02/2010:  10:04:18

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Would someone please order me a pizza from the Mill?

scrubber - Posted - 09/02/2010:  11:13:34

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I lived in Iowa City from '87 to '93 -- never once heard of this event! Now that I live hundreds of miles away, I wish I could be there! (So it goes..).

I do remember 'the Mill', however, and would also like a pizza....

dave

David M. - Posted - 09/02/2010:  11:24:36

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quote:

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Originally posted by scrubber

I lived in Iowa City from '87 to '93 -- never once heard of this event! Now that I live hundreds of miles away, I wish I could be there! (So it goes..).

I do remember 'the Mill', however, and would also like a pizza....

dave

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Dave, do you remember the Tues. night jam sessions at The Mill? They were there for something like 25+ years. It's now at the Hilltop Tap, but it's mostly Irish (not sayin' that's a bad thing...). The Fiddlers Picnic's been happening for something like 35 or so. Too bad you didn't hear about it back then.

RobBob - Posted - 09/02/2010:  13:13:58

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I wonder if my old fiddling buddy, Leon Johnson knows about this?

alaskafiddler - Posted - 09/02/2010:  13:21:58

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The Fiddler's Picnic brings back fond memories. Used to go 30 years ago, where I met John Kasper, and bought my first fiddle from him.

I remember the Tuesday night Mill session as well. Used stop in when I was visiting my family. Had a great time playing with Guy and Al. Was back in IC in June, I didn't find out about the Hilltop Jam until Wednesday. Maybe next time.

Is my IFOTM card from 1980 still good?

David M. - Posted - 09/02/2010:  13:30:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by alaskafiddler



Is my IFOTM card from 1980 still good?

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Not sure. You'd have to check with Dennis Roseman. I guess Keith Dempster sold the Mill to someone. That's when the Tues. night jam moved. It's been several places, but finally found a good home. I've only been to Hilltop to jam once, the Tues. before last T'giving. Good bunch of fiddlers including Al. He's quite a fiddler.

ChickenMan - Posted - 09/03/2010:  07:20:56

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Glad you posted this. I will most likely come as I think my calendar is open for that weekend.

Will there be much southern old time playing, or will it be the standard Midwest/Texas-ish style that I hear so much of?
Not that I don't like that, but I've heard Black Mt Rag, Back Up and Push, and the other various "hokum bow" tunes
about 200 times since I discovered the various fiddle events of Iowa, and am about full, thank you. I don't actually know
the names of most of the tunes I hear, but I recognize that lots of Iowa fiddlers play these same tunes.
Every time I play at Fiddle Club, the regulars seldom know my tune selection and the back up musicians never do.
I suppose I need to learn some of these tunes despite the fact that they generally don't excite me, just so I can play with others.

David M. - Posted - 09/03/2010:  07:33:33

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Billy: Yeah, you hear those tunes in the Iowa State Fair, alot, too just like you do in your fiddle club meetings. :)

There'll be some good old time. There'll also be some Irish and bluegrass. Some jams will be regular everyday tunes. Some are geared only towards more obscure OT tunes (these are the ones I like getting in). Some of my band folks will be there and they play in another OT band The Gilded Bats, which is strictly good, real OT tunes.

I think the O'Herns are planning to come. Might want to carpool with them. We need to hook up if you come over.

Shawn Craver - Posted - 09/07/2010:  19:03:59

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Im actually considering drinfing u to Ioway for this... it seems I need a road trip... maybe. Who is going?

fiddlr1 - Posted - 09/14/2010:  07:29:42

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I'll be with there, wouldn't miss it for anything. See everybody Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!

David M. - Posted - 09/14/2010:  10:25:21

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I just posted a thread with info on the Fiddlers Showcase at Uptown Bill's the night before the Fiddlers Picnic. Check it out.

Marc - Posted - 09/24/2010:  08:21:50

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The Fiddlers Picnic was a bit rainy, but it was a great time! Lots of great old time music, but standard and obscure. Wish we could do this a couple times a year instead of just once.

Hurley - Posted - 09/24/2010:  12:12:49

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Damn! I shoulda read this topic six days ago

I'm only about an hour south on Hwy 218. I woulda been there had I read this earlier.

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Edited by - Hurley on 09/24/2010 12:13:30

David M. - Posted - 09/24/2010:  12:14:35

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Where, Hurley, Mt. Pleasant? We have a jam here in Muscatine on Monday nights, FYI.