FSGW 2025 Getaway Schedule of Events with No Tables
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.
Friday, October 3
Saturday, October 4
Saturday 10:00 AM EDT "The End of an Old Song" in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Presentation) to about 11:00 AM led by Elizabeth LaPrelle John 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. or Fingerpicking Guitar in Nature Center (Presentation) to about 11:00 AM led by 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!
Saturday 10:15 AM EDT Birds in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 11:15 AM led by Nancy King, Kathy Westra Stephens and George Stephens Lots of songs include birds, sometimes as real creatures and sometimes allegorically.
Saturday 11:00 AM EDT Occupations and Labor in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 12:00 PM led by Al Kehs and Dan Schatz Working folks have always sung about their own – and others' – endeavors. or Humorous and Silly Songs in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 12:00 PM led by David Diamond and Brad Graham It's always time for a good laugh!
Saturday 11:15 AM EDT Bob and Jeanne Zentz in Retreat Center (Concert) to about 12:00 PM led by 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.
Saturday 1:00 PM EDT Slow Jam in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 2:00 PM led by 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. or Songs of Hope and Encouragement in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 2:00 PM led by Judy Cook and Dan Schatz Hope and encouragement are just what we need right now! or Supernatural Ballads in Peace Lodge (Singaround) to about 2:00 PM led by Liz Milner Spooky stuff!
Saturday 1:15 PM EDT Pete the Spy in Retreat Center (Concert) to about 2:00 PM led by Pete the Spy Pete 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.
Saturday 2:00 PM EDT Ebenezer Project in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Presentation) to about 3:00 PM led by 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. or Folk Scare of the '60s in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 3:00 PM led by Al Kehs and Leo Wermers Many of us remember and love those songs that were so popular back then! or Ballads With Happy Endings in Peace Lodge (Singaround) to about 3:00 PM led by Sarah White Many ballads finish with sadness or regret, but not all of them. Celebrate the sung stories that turn out well in the end. or Songs I Learned from Joe in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 3:00 PM led by Kathy Westra Stephens Joe 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.
Saturday 3:00 PM EDT Sound Systems in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Presentation) to about 3:45 PM led by Eric Cole and Dennis Cook Learn how to set up and operate sound equipment. or Making a Song Your Own in Nature Center (Presentation) to about 4:00 PM led by Val Fowler Most 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. or Ballads Too Young to Be the Child in Peace Lodge (Singaround) to about 4:00 PM led by Joanne Laessig Francis 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. or Elizabeth LaPrelle, Brian Dolphin & Sandy Laprelle in Retreat Center (Concert) to about 3:45 PM led by 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.
Saturday 3:45 PM EDT Using a Sound System in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Presentation) to about 4:30 PM led by Eric Cole, Dennis Cook and Fedya Dolak Here's your chance to learn how best to use a sound system when performing. or Pub Songs in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 4:45 PM led by Darriel Day, Lafayette Matthews and Pete the Spy Raise a (figurative) glass and join the singing!
Saturday 4:00 PM EDT Songs of Appalachia in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 5:00 PM led by 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. or Ballads About Living in Disguise in Peace Lodge (Singaround) to about 5:00 PM led by Lorraine Van Buren Songs 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!
Saturday 10:30 PM EDT Campfire in Vesper Point (Singaround) to about 11:30 PM led by Pete the Spy If 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.
Sunday, October 5
Sunday 10:00 AM EDT Ukulele in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Presentation) to about 11:00 AM led by 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! or Songwriters Showcase in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 11:00 AM led by David Diamond and Brian Dolphin Bring your own songs and hear the creations of the many songwriters among us. or Gospel in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 11:30 AM led by Dock Cutlip, Bill Kimmons and Becky Kimmons Hallelujah!
Sunday 11:00 AM EDT Fresh & Saltwater Fishing in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 12:00 PM led by 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. or Protest Songs, Past and Present in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 12:00 PM led by 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.
Sunday 1:00 PM EDT Great Lakes Region Songs in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 2:00 PM led by 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. or Songs of Social Justice in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 2:00 PM led by 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? or Vocal Techniques/styles in Peace Lodge (Master Class) to about 2:30 PM led by Elizabeth LaPrelle Elizabeth will provide personal coaching for several people on how to use the voice. Come to watch, listen, and learn. or Bare Bones in Retreat Center (Concert) to about 1:45 PM led by 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.
Sunday 1:45 PM EDT Irish/Celtic in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 2:45 PM led by David Ingerson and Sarah White Here's a chance to share some of the many songs of the Emerald Isle.
Sunday 2:00 PM EDT Sea Songs & Chanties in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 3:00 PM led by Brad Graham and Pete the Spy Chanties, forebitters, and other songs of the sea and ships. or Absent Friends in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 3:00 PM led by 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.
Sunday 2:30 PM EDT Care and Feeding of Instruments in Peace Lodge (Presentation) to about 3:30 PM led by Eric Cole Eric knows a lot about taking care of instruments. Come and learn some new tricks, and share your own tips as well.
Sunday 2:45 PM EDT Stops Along the Way in Retreat Center (Concert) to about 3:30 PM led by 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.
Sunday 3:00 PM EDT Songs of the Chesapeake Bay in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 4:00 PM led by 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. or Foreign Language Songs in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 4:00 PM led by Charlie Baum and Brian Dolphin Plenty of great songs are in languages other than English. Let your worldliness show!
Sunday 3:30 PM EDT Parting Songs in Retreat Center (Singaround) to about 5:00 PM led by Joanne Laessig and Lorraine Van Buren Goodbye, adios, so long, farewell...
Sunday 4:00 PM EDT Remembering Tom Lehrer in Ehlers Memorial Hall (Singaround) to about 5:00 PM led by 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. or Doo Wop in Nature Center (Singaround) to about 5:00 PM led by Al Kehs, Bill Kimmons and Becky Kimmons The distinctive vocal style of the fifties is a lot of fun and brings back memories!
