2007

Lee Cagle's Blue Smoke Risin' on the Mountain -- Dulcimer News and Information, Memphis, Tennessee

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The Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival 2007

The Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival 2007 was held on September 28 & 29, 2007 at Lindenwood Christian Church. Instructors for this year were Lee Cagle, Thomasina Levy, Terry & Pam Lewis, Jim Miller, and Rick Thum.

Many thanks to the instructors, vendors, performing artists and many volunteers who worked so hard to support The Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival 2007. The festival could not happen without the support of each of you, and your dedication is very much appreciated.

We had a great time, and pictures will be on the website soon.

We had 51 "full event" registrants, a large group of general public attendees during the mid-day demonstrations, and over 100 at the finale concert on Saturday night.

Winners of the door prizes were:

Sherril Blair -- Rick Thum Traveler model hammered dulcimer

Marie Kirby -- Thistledew Acres tote bag & Annabelle Meacham print

Gilfa Merrill -- one year subscription to Dulcimer Players News

Barbara Reinhardt -- Terry Lewis turned pen

Jae Graves -- Concert CD package (9 CDs donated by 2007 artists)

Thank you to all who donated prizes!

Special thanks to Fiddler's Green Music Shop for sponsoring this year's festival, to Lindenwood for the use of their fabulous space, and to Loyal Murphy, James Greene and Marie Kirby for photographs of the entire event. Last, but far from least, thanks to Betty Dawson, who dedicated many hours making sure that all details were covered and that everything went smoothly for the entire weekend. Betty's dedication, support and friendship were the cornerstone of this year's festival.

If you were not able to attend this year, it is not too late to make plans for next year. The dates for The Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival 2008 are September 26 & 27, 2008. We are excited to announce that Rick Thum , Jim Miller and Lee Cagle will return next year, along with Aubrey Atwater , Steve Eulberg and Betty Dawson. Watch this website for updated information about other instructors and the location for next year.

You can view the class schedule and class descriptions for this year's festival by clicking here.

Rick Thum with Bob Hastings, 2006 hammered dulcimer winner

Annabelle Meacham print

Sherril Blair, 2007 HD winner

The finale concert on Saturday opened with a Celtic blessing, followed by an Irish dance demonstration presented by students from Mary Sweeney's Inis Acla School of Irish Dance.

Celtic Blessing

May the blessing of light be on you. Light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire, So that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it. And may light shine out of the two eyes of you, Like a candle set in the window of a house, Bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm. May the blessing of the rain be on you, May it beat upon your Spirit And wash it fair and clean, And leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines, And sometimes a star. May the blessing of the earth be on you, Soft under your feet as you pass along the roads, Soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day; And may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it. May it rest so lightly over you That your soul may be out from under it quickly; Up and off and on its way to God.

Write to Lee