2026 Performers
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The Alum Ridge Boys and AshleeFriday Night Concert
Workshops Mining the fertile common ground between bluegrass, early country music, and traditional mountain music, The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee are Virginia’s torchbearers of the old time sound. Featuring the classic quintet of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass, the band comprises five masterful musicians and singers who have immersed themselves in the dance music traditions of the Blue Ridge region and developed a deeply rooted old time bluegrass sound. The band crafts their own tasteful original songs and instrumentals that blend seamlessly alongside the classics, and their engaging performances and powerful harmony singing have captivated audiences around the globe and earned the band top awards at prominent festivals throughout the Appalachian region. The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee cut no corners when it comes to real, hard hitting, old time country music - an approach that is gaining them loyal followers far beyond the reaches of their Virginia mountain home. |
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Golden ShoalsFriday Night Concert
Workshops Golden Shoals is a fiddle and guitar duo with a "rousing old-time-style music that’s fueled by acerbic modern-day wit” (-No Depression Magazine). They are no strangers to traditional music, having placed in contests including Clifftop (3rd place 2023, 4th place 2022), Mount Airy, The Grand Masters Fiddlers Championship and Galax. Often switching instruments between fiddle, two guitars, and banjo, their original songs have been compared to Gillian Welch, with the added edge of instrumental prowess informed by energetic old time and bluegrass recordings. Initially brought together by a mutual love of American folk music, Golden Shoals' sound has expanded to include country, Americana, Indie and Experimental influences, allowing them to move more freely beyond genre boundaries with their songwriting while still emanating a deep understanding of Old-Time and Bluegrass music. Ever inspired by the enduring spirit of traditional Appalachian mountain music, their songwriting comes across as simple, honest, and fresh to the ears. The listener can expect the polished technique of conservatory training, in tandem with the grit, drive, and soul of musicians like Roscoe Holcomb or Ola Belle Reed. |
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Squirrel ButterFriday Night Concert
Workshops Charlie Beck & Charmaine Slaven met at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering back in 2005. They soon began playing music together at Seattle's farmer's markets, including the famous Pike Place Market, where they became one of the renowned busking acts in Seattle. Charlie & Charmaine were also both members of venerable Seattle string band, The Tallboys, along with Joe Fulton & John Hurd, which performed for over 10 years in the Pacific NW. Charmaine & Charlie spearheaded organizing the Tractor Tavern Square Dance series for over 12 years, and a long running weekly community old time jam at Conor Byrne Pub. In 2021, after living through the Covid pandemic, Charmaine accepted the position of Music & Dance Coordinator for the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, where she managed the school's celebrated music and dance programs. Both Charlie and Charmaine captained the post-pandemic revival of the Folk School's Junior Appalachian Musicians program, engaging many local youth in learning string band music. 2024 saw the couple relocated to Charlie's hometown of Indianapolis, where they are currently happily living near family as they raise their two kids. Charmaine now works for the nonprofit Country Dance & Song Society, providing support to Dance & Music Communities across the US & Canada. |
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Dear CrowLounge Act
Old-time tunes, original and trad songs, sweet double fiddles and lyrical banjo, tight vocal harmonies: a sound that is both nostalgic and bright with possibility. Dear Crow is the musical partnership of Brian Lindsay and Penka Jane Culevski. Penka Jane began playing fiddle as a child and has been singing since she first heard the radio. Her forthright and emotive fiddle playing pulls the listener along the journey of every tune, and since she began songwriting in earnest in 2018 she’s become known for her timeless and lyrically potent songs. When she started playing with Brian Lindsay, they found kindred spirits in each other. Brian is half of the powerhouse acoustic duo Countercurrent, and is nationally sought after as a contra dance fiddle player, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. In the heartfelt and vulnerable arrangements of Dear Crow, the harmonies ring easily, the songs pluck your heartstrings, and the tunes roll and tumble with the energy that only dance musicians can muster. |
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Mississippi HotdogsLounge Act
Mississippi Hot Dogs is an old-time, bluegrass, and country music band based in Port Townsend, Washington. The band features Jack Dwyer, Bobby Winstead, and Joe Fulton on fiddle. They are known as expert old time musicians who have toured together as Mississippi Hotdogs and with other bands extensively in the US and abroad. Oly Old Time is lucky to have this band in this configuration playing at this year's festival! Their music style is generally acoustic and draws inspiration from 1920s and 30s music. |
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PerformerVenues
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PerformerPerformances
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Callers
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Charmaine SlavenCharmaine Slaven is a long-time dance caller who brings high energy and strong historical knowledge to her square dance calling along with a welcoming and fun and engaging energy. We are very lucky to have Charmaine joining us this year!
Charmaine also spent years street performing around Seattle with her music projects, Squirrel Butter and The Tallboys, and successfully lead the charge to run the Dare to be Square West events, which was her first foray into grassroots fundraising. She also works as the Tutor & Evening Events Coordinator for Centrum’s Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, WA, and has helped as a Community Coordinator for the Northwest Folklife Festival. She loves spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, gardening, and animals, and she is looking forward to making a new home in Indianapolis, IN, with her musical husband and their two children. |
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CallerTBD
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Thank you to MicWerks for doing sound for this year's festival!
