FSGW 2025 Getaway Alphabetical List of Session Descriptions

Here are links to other forms of the schedule. The individual room schedules may be useful to those using a small screen device. The version with no tables is a text only version suitable for those who have trouble reading tables.


Singaround Descriptions

Session NameDayTimeVenueHostsDescription
Absent FriendsSunday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Nature Center Susannah Rose and
Laura Sailer		We've lost so many friends in recent years – here's a chance to remember and honor them in song.
Ballads About Living in DisguiseSaturday4:00 PM EDT to
5:00 PM		Peace Lodge Lorraine Van BurenSongs involving cross-dressing and other ways of pretending to be something or someone you're not appear in the tradition from time to time. Sing us your favorites!
Ballads Too Young to Be the ChildSaturday3:00 PM EDT to
4:00 PM		Peace Lodge Joanne LaessigFrancis James Child published his famous collection of “Child Ballads” starting in 1882, but folks have gone on writing ballads ever since. Here's a chance to share some of those newer ones.
Ballads With Happy EndingsSaturday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Peace Lodge Sarah WhiteMany ballads finish with sadness or regret, but not all of them. Celebrate the sung stories that turn out well in the end.
BirdsSaturday10:15 AM EDT to
11:15 AM		Retreat Center Nancy King, Kathy Westra Stephens and
George Stephens		Lots of songs include birds, sometimes as real creatures and sometimes allegorically.
CampfireSaturday10:30 PM EDT to
11:30 PM		Vesper Point Pete the SpyIf it isn't raining or freezing, we'll meet at Vesper Point after the evening concert and snack for a chance to share all those great campfire songs from the summers of our youth – and maybe some more recent ones, too.
Doo WopSunday4:00 PM EDT to
5:00 PM		Nature Center Al Kehs, Bill Kimmons and
Becky Kimmons		The distinctive vocal style of the fifties is a lot of fun and brings back memories!
Folk Scare of the '60sSaturday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Nature Center Al Kehs and
Leo Wermers		Many of us remember and love those songs that were so popular back then!
Foreign Language SongsSunday3:00 PM EDT to
4:00 PM		Nature Center Charlie Baum and
Brian Dolphin		Plenty of great songs are in languages other than English. Let your worldliness show!
Fresh & Saltwater FishingSunday11:00 AM EDT to
12:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall George Stephens and
Kathy Westra Stephens		The ancient occupation of fishing, whether on the sea or lakes, rivers, and streams, has inspired many fine songs.
GospelSunday10:00 AM EDT to
11:30 AM		Retreat Center Dock Cutlip, Bill Kimmons and
Becky Kimmons		Hallelujah!
Great Lakes Region SongsSunday1:00 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Judy Cook and
Joanne Laessig		America's Great Lakes cover a vast area. There are many songs originating from that region and celebrating life and events on the Lakes.
Humorous and Silly SongsSaturday11:00 AM EDT to
12:00 PM		Nature Center David Diamond and
Brad Graham		It's always time for a good laugh!
Irish/CelticSunday1:45 PM EDT to
2:45 PM		Retreat Center David Ingerson and
Sarah White		Here's a chance to share some of the many songs of the Emerald Isle.
Occupations and LaborSaturday11:00 AM EDT to
12:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Al Kehs and
Dan Schatz		Working folks have always sung about their own – and others' – endeavors.
Parting SongsSunday3:30 PM EDT to
5:00 PM		Retreat Center Joanne Laessig and
Lorraine Van Buren		Goodbye, adios, so long, farewell...
Protest Songs, Past and PresentSunday11:00 AM EDT to
12:00 PM		Nature Center Martha Burns and
Lafayette Matthews		Over the centuries, people have made their contrary opinions into songs, many of which have served to rally support for their causes.
Pub SongsSaturday3:45 PM EDT to
4:45 PM		Retreat Center Darriel Day, Lafayette Matthews and
Pete the Spy		Raise a (figurative) glass and join the singing!
Remembering Tom LehrerSunday4:00 PM EDT to
5:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Val Fowler and
George Stephens		Lehrer's recent passing has reminded us of his many songs – often rather dark, but almost always complex and hilarious.
Sea Songs & ChantiesSunday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Brad Graham and
Pete the Spy		Chanties, forebitters, and other songs of the sea and ships.
Slow JamSaturday1:00 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Susannah Rose and
David Scheim		Want to learn to play in a group? Here's a chance to get a few pointers and practice at a moderate pace. All Instruments – not just guitars – are welcome.
Songs I Learned from JoeSaturday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Retreat Center Kathy Westra StephensJoe Hickerson was known as a finder—and sharer—of some of the most singable traditional songs. He recorded many of them and kept sharing them with friends until his recent death at the age of 89. We’ll miss Joe, but the songs are ours to keep. We’ll celebrate the singer and the songs in this workshop.
Songs of AppalachiaSaturday4:00 PM EDT to
5:00 PM		Nature Center Dock Cutlip, Brian Dolphin, Bill Kimmons, Becky Kimmons, Sandy LaPrelle and
Elizabeth LaPrelle		The mountainous regions of the eastern U.S. have long been a cradle of folk songs. Join a sing-around of music of the region.
Songs of Hope and EncouragementSaturday1:00 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Nature Center Judy Cook and
Dan Schatz		Hope and encouragement are just what we need right now!
Songs of Social JusticeSunday1:00 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Nature Center Dan Schatz and
Fred Stollnitz		Social movements – voting rights, civil rights, judicial reform, and others – often express important ideas in song. What songs speak to you?
Songs of the Chesapeake BaySunday3:00 PM EDT to
4:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Bob Zentz and
Jeanne McDougall Zentz		As we gather on a tributary of the Chesapeake, let's share some songs of this historic and beautiful area.
Songwriters ShowcaseSunday10:00 AM EDT to
11:00 AM		Nature Center David Diamond and
Brian Dolphin		Bring your own songs and hear the creations of the many songwriters among us.
Supernatural BalladsSaturday1:00 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Peace Lodge Liz MilnerSpooky stuff!

Concert Descriptions

Session NameDayTimeVenueHostsDescription
Bare BonesSunday1:00 PM EDT to
1:45 PM		Retreat Center Dock Cutlip, Bill Kimmons and
Becky Kimmons		Bare Bones is an a capella trio that has been interpreting a wide variety of songs since the early 1980s. Soak up their spot-on harmonies and intricate arrangements of old Appalachian and gospel songs, as well as more recent pieces.
Bob and Jeanne ZentzSaturday11:15 AM EDT to
12:00 PM		Retreat Center Bob Zentz and
Jeanne McDougall Zentz		Multi-instrumentalist Bob has been a mainstay of the folk world for decades, both performing and providing all things folkie from his “Ramblin' Conrad's” store in Norfolk, VA. Jeanne, a scholar, fine singer and instrumentalist, has joined him in recent years to make a fine duo.
Elizabeth LaPrelle, Brian Dolphin & Sandy LaprelleSaturday3:00 PM EDT to
3:45 PM		Retreat Center Brian Dolphin, Sandy LaPrelle and
Elizabeth LaPrelle		This wonderful family trio brings songs from the Appalachian mountains and lots of other places as well. We can expect a wide variety of old and new musical offerings.
Pete the SpySaturday1:15 PM EDT to
2:00 PM		Retreat Center Pete the SpyPete The Spy came to his first Getaway in 1971, where he experienced the life-changing realization that he, anyone, could make their own music. Scottish, Irish, English, chanties, pub songs, goofy stuff - then, and now, he sings what he loves.
Stops Along the WaySunday2:45 PM EDT to
3:30 PM		Retreat Center George Stephens and
Kathy Westra Stephens		Kathy and George were mainstays of FSGW and the Getaway for many years, and now are living on the coast of Maine. They are still singing lovely songs of places and creatures and conservation.

Presentation Descriptions

Session NameDayTimeVenueHostsDescription
"The End of an Old Song"Saturday10:00 AM EDT to
11:00 AM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Elizabeth LaPrelleJohn Cohen (remembered as a member of the New Lost City Ramblers) made this film about ballad singers in western North Carolina, which should serve as a great starting point for conversation about songs, singers, traditions, and other things as well.
Care and Feeding of InstrumentsSunday2:30 PM EDT to
3:30 PM		Peace Lodge Eric ColeEric knows a lot about taking care of instruments. Come and learn some new tricks, and share your own tips as well.
Ebenezer ProjectSaturday2:00 PM EDT to
3:00 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Ann Bauer and
Steve Woodbury		A treasure-trove of songs collected in central NC in the ‘30’s, unearthed by a couple of curious folk-singers. The collector, Mercedes Steely, wrote, "I hope these songs live and are not relegated to the graveyard of songs. They are too beautiful to die.” We agree. Come hear what we have found.
Fingerpicking GuitarSaturday10:00 AM EDT to
11:00 AM		Nature Center Dock Cutlip and
Val Fowler		Val and Dock are two fine guitar pickers who will share some techniques and tips, and welcome some from others. Bring your guitar!
Making a Song Your OwnSaturday3:00 PM EDT to
4:00 PM		Nature Center Val FowlerMost songwriters appreciate that others sing their songs, but you don't need to sing it exactly as you heard it. What does the song mean to you? Let's explore how we can add our own life to the song's life.
Sound SystemsSaturday3:00 PM EDT to
3:45 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Eric Cole and
Dennis Cook		Learn how to set up and operate sound equipment.
UkuleleSunday10:00 AM EDT to
11:00 AM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Bob Zentz and
Jeanne McDougall Zentz		Ukuleles have become very popular in recent years, though they've been around for quite a while. Bob and Jeanne will show some techniques and give a few hints on playing, and will welcome tips from others as well. Bring your uke!
Using a Sound SystemSaturday3:45 PM EDT to
4:30 PM		Ehlers Memorial Hall Eric Cole, Dennis Cook and
Fedya Dolak		Here's your chance to learn how best to use a sound system when performing.

Master Class Descriptions

Session NameDayTimeVenueHostsDescription
Vocal Techniques/stylesSunday1:00 PM EDT to
2:30 PM		Peace Lodge Elizabeth LaPrelleElizabeth will provide personal coaching for several people on how to use the voice. Come to watch, listen, and learn.