Today is Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Keeping Folk Music Alive for the Next Generation

CTMS News & Updates

Next House Concert
CTMS House Concert Series:
Friday, May 16th, at 8:00 pm
Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder

The California Traditional Music Society is proud to present Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder, in concert on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8pm, at The CTMS Center for Folk Music, 16953 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 91316. Unreserved tickets are $15.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door with reserved tickets higher.

“...Subtle and energetic at the same time...One can only gasp in admiration.” Sing Out! Magazine

One of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today, Jamie Laval consistently creates rapt audiences with his intensely passionate performances that run the gamut from tender and melancholy to wildly jubilant.

Winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, Jamie was recently heralded in Scotland as “A new star for the Old World” (FiddleOn Magazine). The Olympian newspaper reported, “A fantastic fiddler… Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment and yearning.” And Virginia concert promoter Deborah Greer raved, “I’ve been producing shows here for 10 years and I have never seen a standing ovation after the first tune. Unbelievable! I have never seen a better band on this stage.”

Major performances include Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina, Swallow Hill Productions in Colorado, The Yachats Celtic Festival in Oregon, the Freight & Salvage in California, the "Blue Plate" radio show on WDVX 89.9-fm in Knoxville, TN, the Northwest Folklife Festival’s Fiddler Showcase in Washington, the Scots Fiddle Festival in Scotland, and a private appearance for Her Majesty the Queen of England.

In the recording arena Jamie is widely respected for his solos on the movie soundtracks Wild America, Finding Home, the Emmy-nominated theme for the TV drama Everwood, and for his participation in Dave Matthews’ CD Some Devil.

Jamie’s solo CD Shades of Green has received unanimous critical praise and nationwide radio airplay, eliciting reviews such as, “tune after tune evokes an ancient tradition of Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany… Fiona’s Waltz is one of the most moving fiddle pieces I’ve heard in a long time.” (Albany Democrat Herald)

Ashley Broder hails from Camarillo, CA and is a two-time winner of the Western Open Master Picker Championship. There is an effortlessness about Ashley’s playing. Whether it be a virtuoso mandolin solo break, a languorous 'cello line, a fancifully crafted original composition, or a clear-toned tune from her fiddle, her music spins out like a sinuous ribbon of pure fun. Ashley routinely forays into blues, jazz, bluegrass, Old-time, Irish, classical, and Brazilian music. She has been an instructor at the Mandolin Symposium and in 2004 collaborated with world-renown Mike Marshall in the creation of his Mandolin Method books.

“…Evocative...Bracingly original and warmly familiar.” The Stockton Record

“A fantastic fiddler…Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment and yearning.” The Olympian Weekender

“Jamie Laval deserves a medal for his exceptional musical expressivity, for beyond technique and delivery there is an embedded soul in his playing, giving off the quality of a human voice, speaking directly from the body and rising up from the particles of the earth.” CD Baby

“Jamie played with passion, precision and virtuosity, showing why he was the US Scottish Fiddle Champion in 2002, and why he is going to be a great star in the future.” Linda Morpurgo founder of Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop, Scotland “Rave reviews were handed out after the Laval concert...his encore of the fiddle tune, ‘Dusty Miller’s Reel’ brought the house down.” Quesnel Observer, Canada

Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder will be in concert on Friday May 16th at 8 pm at the CTMS Center for Folk Music, 16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino 91316. Learn more about Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder at their websites www.jamielaval.com and www.ashleybroder.com

Buying CTMS House Concert Tickets

Unless otherwise noted all concerts are held at the CTMS Center for Folk Music, 16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino 91316. (The building in the park)

Unreserved House Concert Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Children twelve and under are free and students 18 and under are $15 at the door.

Reserved Front Row House Concert Tickets are available in advance only for $30, which includes a $15 tax deductible donation to CTMS.

Reserved Front Section House Concert Tickets (Rows 2-4) are available in advance only for $25, which includes a $10 tax deductible donation to CTMS.


Tickets may be ordered in advance by mail with a check or on-line with a credit card. To order by credit card click here. Note that there is a small service charge when ordering by credit card.

To order by mail, send a note with your name and address with the name of the concerts and the number and kind of tickets wanted, and a check for the total amount payable to CTMS to: CTMS, 4401 Trancas Place, Tarzana, CA 91356-5399.

Mail Orders must be postmarked by one week before the first concert ordered
All Sales are final
(all ticket orders for these concerts will be held at will call)

Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards for April
The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are pleased to announce the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards" recipient for April, 2008. This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS.

The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away in 2005. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month.

**Applications are closed for fiscal year 2007-2008.

The awardee for this month is:

Extreme Klezmer Makeover
Art: klezmer music

Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy
Art: Korean folk dance and drumming

Mr. Wael Kakish
Art: Arabic singing

Ms. Nadiya Littlewarrior
Art: Native American gourd art

Maya Vision Marimba Players
Art: Mayan marimba music

Niancho Eniyaley
Art: West African drumming and dancing

Mr. Manuel Saenz
Art: Native American flute

Triple Chicken Foot
Art: Appalachian old-time music

Stefani Valadez Ensemble
Art: Ladino, Turkish, Brazilian, Celtic music

The application and guidelines are available in PDF format at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/LATreasures.asp. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call Lisa Richardson at 818-817-0094. Applicants must be folk and traditional individual artists or ensembles NOT affiliated with a nonprofit, and must be residents of L.A. County.

Applicants' proposed projects (performance, workshop or exhibit) must be within the City of L.A. Current grantees of the City of L.A. Cultural Affairs Department are not eligible as applicants or as venues for applicant events.

"L.A. Treasures" is part of the Traditional Arts Program at the California Traditional Music Society. This program provides support, develops activities, and acts as a resource for artists and organizations throughout the county. The program connects folk artists with resources through gatherings, workshops, an e-mail listserv, and funding opportunities. The program is funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

Contact: Lisa Richardson (818) 817-0094

Summer Solstice Festival Survey
Thanks to everyone who helped CTMS to improve the Summer Solstice Festival by filling out our on-line survey. The survey is now closed.

The winners of the ticket give-a-way will be announced after all the survey forms are processed.

Mel Durham has died.
All of us at CTMS were greatly saddened to learn of the death of Mel Durham on March 5, 2008. Mel was 93.

Mel as a wonderful old time fiddle player and appeared at the Summer Solstice Festival several times. There is a long article about Mel here, and a shorter article with two of Mel's Tunes you can listen to and download here.

Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards
The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are pleased to announce the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards" recipient for March, 2008. This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS.

The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away in 2005. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month.

**Application deadlines are the first of each month through April 2008. Applications must arrive at the CTMS office no later than these dates. THE NEXT DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2008.

The awardee for this month is:

Michael Lampert
Art: blues mandolin

Ms. Ahila Gulasekaram
Art: South Indian dance

The application and guidelines are available in PDF format at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/LATreasures.asp. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call Lisa Richardson at 818-817-0094. Applicants must be folk and traditional individual artists or ensembles NOT affiliated with a nonprofit, and must be residents of L.A. County.

Applicants' proposed projects (performance, workshop or exhibit) must be within the City of L.A. Current grantees of the City of L.A. Cultural Affairs Department are not eligible as applicants or as venues for applicant events.

"L.A. Treasures" is part of the Traditional Arts Program at the California Traditional Music Society. This program provides support, develops activities, and acts as a resource for artists and organizations throughout the county. The program connects folk artists with resources through gatherings, workshops, an e-mail listserv, and funding opportunities. The program is funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

Contact: Lisa Richardson (818) 817-0094

Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards
The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are pleased to announce the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards" recipient for February, 2008. This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS.

The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away in 2005. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month.

**Application deadlines are the first of each month through April 2008. Applications must arrive at the CTMS office no later than these dates. THE NEXT DEADLINE IS MARCH 1, 2008.

The awardee for this month is:

Ms. Allyson Allen
Art: African-American quilt and doll making

The application and guidelines are available in PDF format at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/LATreasures.asp. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call Lisa Richardson at 818-817-0094. Applicants must be folk and traditional individual artists or ensembles NOT affiliated with a nonprofit, and must be residents of L.A. County.

Applicants' proposed projects (performance, workshop or exhibit) must be within the City of L.A. Current grantees of the City of L.A. Cultural Affairs Department are not eligible as applicants or as venues for applicant events.

"L.A. Treasures" is part of the Traditional Arts Program at the California Traditional Music Society. This program provides support, develops activities, and acts as a resource for artists and organizations throughout the county. The program connects folk artists with resources through gatherings, workshops, an e-mail listserv, and funding opportunities. The program is funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

Contact: Lisa Richardson (818) 817-0094

Signup for CTMS Newsletter
Keep yourself up to date about events sponsored by CTMS by signing up for the CTMS email newsletter. Just fill in the form below.

Make a Donation to CTMS
MAKE A DOTATION TO CTMS
CTMS Needs Your Help
The California Traditional Music Society was formed more than twenty five years ago, by a dedicated group of music lovers. They were concerned that America’s folk musical heritage was in danger of being lost and that with it would be lost the community formed by those of us who love folk music. In a world full of constant reminders of intolerance and misunderstanding between individuals, communities and nations, we at California Traditional Music Society are in the business of bringing people together through consistently high quality programs that celebrate diversity. Folk Music has the power to open minds, hearts and spirits, and the California Traditional Music Society is a true testament to that vision.

To keep the vision alive we need your tax-deductible donation.

Donate on-line with a credit card by clicking here.

Or mail your donation by check to CTMS sent to:
Donation, CTMS, 4401 Trancas Place, 91356-5399

Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards
The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are pleased to announce the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards" recipients for December, 2007. This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS.

The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away in 2005. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month.

**Application deadlines are the first of each month through April 2008. Applications must arrive at the CTMS office no later than these dates.

The awardees are:

Mr. Dan Jenkins
Art: Thai spirit houses

Mr. Michael D. McCarty
Art: African American storytelling

Mr. Eric Rigler
Art: Irish and Scottish bagpipes

The application and guidelines are available in PDF format at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/LATreasures.asp. (Please use the above deadline dates. We will update the application dates shortly.) If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call Lisa Richardson at 818-817-0094.
Applicants must be folk and traditional individual artists or ensembles NOT affiliated with a nonprofit, and must be residents of L.A. County.
Applicants' proposed projects (performance, workshop or exhibit) must be within the City of L.A. Current grantees of the City of L.A. Cultural Affairs Department are not eligible as applicants or as venues for applicant events.

"L.A. Treasures" is part of the Traditional Arts Program at the California Traditional Music Society. This program provides support, develops activities, and acts as a resource for artists and organizations throughout the county. The program connects folk artists with resources through gatherings, workshops, an e-mail listserv, and funding opportunities. The program is funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Contact: Lisa Richardson
(818) 817-0094

Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards
The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are pleased to announce the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards" recipients for October and November, 2007. This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS.

The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away in 2005. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month.

**Application deadlines are the first of each month through April 2008. Applications must arrive at the CTMS office no later than these dates.

The awardees are:

Mr. Mani Bolouri
Art: Persian kamancheh

Mr. Michael Heralda
Art: Mexican music and stories

Ms. Yolanda Iolana Kaimikaua
Art: Hawaiian dance

Ms. Sohini Ray
Art: Indian dance

The Gwen Wyatt Chorale
Art: African American spirituals

The application and guidelines are available in PDF format at www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/LATreasures.asp. (Please use the above deadline dates. We will update the application dates shortly.) If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call Lisa Richardson at 818-817-0094.
Applicants must be folk and traditional individual artists or ensembles NOT affiliated with a nonprofit, and must be residents of L.A. County.
Applicants' proposed projects (performance, workshop or exhibit) must be within the City of L.A. Current grantees of the City of L.A. Cultural Affairs Department are not eligible as applicants or as venues for applicant events.

"L.A. Treasures" is part of the Traditional Arts Program at the California Traditional Music Society. This program provides support, develops activities, and acts as a resource for artists and organizations throughout the county. The program connects folk artists with resources through gatherings, workshops, an e-mail listserv, and funding opportunities. The program is funded by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Contact: Lisa Richardson
(818) 817-0094

Festival part of Daniel Pearl Music Day
On Sunday, October 14, The California Traditional Music Society joins with the Daniel Pearl Foundation and world-renowned artists and musicians in a united stand for tolerance, humanity, and global harmony, as part of the Sixth Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days. We dedicate our “Taste of Folk Music” Free Folk and Bluegrass Music Festival to the spirit of Daniel Pearl and the cause of cross cultural understanding. Concerts from October 6 through 15 are included in this worldwide event that calls for “Harmony for Humanity.” Click here of a complete list of Daniel Pearl Music Days Events

The “Taste of Folk Music” Festival will be presented Free to the community on Sunday October 14, 2007 by the California Traditional Music Society, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This event is held in conjunction with the Encino Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual “Taste Of Encino” street fair. The Festival is the largest gathering of Folk Music organizations and artists in Southern California. The “Taste of Folk Music” Festival will bring traditional folk, and bluegrass music, dance and storytelling of past generations to Encino Park, surrounding the California Traditional Music Society Center for Folk Music, located at 16953 Ventura Blvd. in Encino, California.

Complete details of the Festival are now available by clicking here

New Scottish Fiddle Class Cycle Begins
The new cycle of Jan Tappan's Beginning/Intermediate Scottish Fiddle Classes begins Tuesday, September 11 at the CTMS Center for Folk Music.

The class is for people who have had some experience playing the violin and would like to learn Scottish style fiddling. You will learn how to play Scottish reels, jigs, marches, airs and the uniquely Scottish dance, the strathspey. Scottish style bowing and ornamentation will be stressed.

Instructor Jan Tappan has played Scottish fiddle for 18 years and has taught workshops at the CTMS Summer Solstice Festival as well as at Highland Games all over the U.S., and is music director of the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles.

The classes are held Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, and run for 8 weeks. They cost $90 per person for the 8 week cycle. Call the CTMS Office at (818) 817-7756 or email us at info@ctmsfolkmusic.org to sign-up or for more details.

Survey Forms Online!
After each Festival we ask our Volunteers and Area Coordinators to let us know how things went. To make this as easy as possible, our survery forms are online.

Just go to the Survey Forms page and download the PDF form you need. After you complete the form, please mail it to CTMS or bring it with you to the debriefing meeting on July 15.

Thanks again to all our Volunteers! We couldn't have done it without you!

2007 Summer Festival a Success!
The 25th Annual Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival is over, thanks to the efforts of our wonderful Volunteers and Staff. Now we want to know your thoughts about how we did.

Every year we ask our volunteers and participants to tell us what they liked about the Festival, and for suggestions on how we can make things even better next year. To give us your thoughts and comments, just use our online Feedback Form. Help us make our events the best that they can be!

CTMS's Office Closes for Festival
The Center for Folk Music, CTMS's Administrative Office, is closed starting June 21th, because we are all at the 25th Annual Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival, which runs from June 22th to 24th. The Center will also be closed on Monday the 25th, so that we have a chance to recover. If you need to contact us please call our Festival Operator at 818 817-7756. The Center will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, June 26th.

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