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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 10/05/08
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- Award-winning performing songwriter, Kate Long, presents a songwriting seminar at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs on Thursday, October 9 at 7pm. Learning about songwriting is part of the yearlong Back to Our Roots celebration which begins in January. The seminar is produced by the Morgan Arts Council (MAC).
Kate Long and national flat picking champion, Robin Kessinger are teaching Morgan County sixth graders how to write a story song this week through MAC's Adopt-a-School project. Kate is a legendary West Virginia performer, teacher, songwriter and West Virginia Public Radio artist.She has three CDs and produced the 14-part radio series, " In Their Own Country," an hour visit with each of 14 of West Virginia’s best-known writers.
"Kate and Robin were here several years ago and we did a similar songwriting event," said Jeanne Mozier, MAC board member. "She was outstanding and very well received. It's a great opportunity for anyone writing songs to learn from a master ."
Long's Songwriting Seminar and her work in the schools launches a eight-month long effort to write songs in and about Morgan County. "The songwriting is part of the 2009 Back to Our Roots celebration," said Mary Hott, MAC's Executive Director. She outlined opportunities during 2009 for the songwriters to enter a contest sponsored by FAST, perform their work or have others perform it at Roots events, and record a Morgan County CD. "MAC is also working on a Music Census of Morgan County," she said.
Back to Our Roots is a yearlong celebration of music, dance, folklore and visual art with more than 50 different events and projects during 2009.
A joint project of the Morgan County Public Library and Morgan Arts Council, Back to Our Roots is built around the Smithsonian Institution's exhibit " New Harmonies" which will be on display in Berkeley Springs for six weeks opening at the Ice House on Saturday, April 11, 2009. Other performance activities in the winter and spring include a contra dance weekend, gospel workshops and performances featuring Eric Byrd, and several folklore and art presentations including John Henry and Porte Crayon. There is also an exhibit of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in February at the library.
"We hope to have a schedule of the major events available during the next couple weeks," said Hott. "There are already a number of other groups creating projects around this Roots theme," she said. "But we always have room for more."
For more information, to register for the class or to find a way to participate in Back to Our Roots, call 304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.
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