Young Traditions Weekend Coming in May
During the 3rd weekend in May, at a variety of downtown Burlington locations, the 5th Young Tradition Weekend will feature a wide range of children, youth and young adults who sing, play or dance in folk and traditional styles.
Events will include a contra dance, workshops, a contest, a reception/awards presentation, an evening concert and an open sing, featuring performers from throughout New England and Quebec. Featured will be dozens of singers, players and dancers, including past showcase winners and special guests David Boulanger, Glass of Water, Rebecca Lay, Owen and Elly Marshall, Mayfly, Pale Fire, Les Poules a Colin and many others.
The weekend is a presentation of Events for Tom and Burlington Parks and Recreation with support from Big Heavy World, Celebrate Champlain, the Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Festival Memorie et Racines, Fiddleheads, the Quebec Delegation in Boston, Queen City Contras, WOMM-LP 105.9FM 'The Radiator' and others.
For more information contact www.myspace.com/youngtradition
Performer Invitation to participate in the 5/16/09 Young Tradition Showcase:
The Saturday showcase ‘contest’ at Waterfront Park in Burlington has been the primary focus of the annual Young Tradition event in past years, and remains a major component of the Young Tradition Weekend in an expanded format (full schedule on the web site). The program for the contest starts in the mid/late morning on 5/16/09 and finishes by 3pm, and runs simultaneously with Kids Day at Waterfront Park. It is designed so that young singers, players and dancers in single, duo or groups formats can perform 2 or 3 numbers each, usually no more than about 10 minutes.
The audience selects their favorites by filling out a form and handing it in before the end of the afternoon. Prizes include showcase performances at a variety of concerts, festivals, coffeehouses and tours, cash (1st, 2nd and 3rd place), recording studio time, contribution to a CD project, and more to be announced. There are no judges for the contest and all styles and genres that fit under the ‘folk and traditional’ umbrella are welcome. There is time for about 20 ‘acts’ and we strive to make sure that what is presented at the contest is either directly related or inspired by what is generally considered folk and traditional music or dance..... chances are if you think it fits, it probably does!
Prospective performers who have not participated in the past are asked to submit an audio and/or video sample (please include electronic contact information for replies). Samples will be returned if self-addressed, postage-paid packaging is included with the application. Samples will be reviewed and contacted by Julia Wayne and Mark Sustic. Samples should be e-mailed to mrksustc@together.net or mailed to: Young Tradition Weekend, PO Box 163, Fairfax, VT 05454. We will strive for balance in the genres presented, the instruments used, and the traditions presented, etc. (e.g. we try to not have just fiddlers, just dancers, just singers, etc.).