Augusta Heritage Center Cajun and Early Country Music Week, Elkins, WV

It was a great week of music and dance for Carole and me and all our old friends and new acquaintances at the Augusta Heritage Center Cajun and Early Country Music Week, at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV. I studied fiddle with my fabulous teacher Michelle Kaminsky, and Carole studied guitar and song with the great early country guitarists and singers John Lilly, Thomas Eaton and Kelli Jones-Savoy. We have both taken and enjoyed the harmony singing class with recording artist Karin Collins as well.   Photo above: Miguel Fontenot Zydeco Band at the Ice House Party. 

The week included morning and afternoon music instruction, impromptu jams, practice during free time, afternoon cultural events and evening concerts and dances. The highlights of the week include the great Ice House Party with the Zydeco band led by Miguel Fontenot, Fais Do Do with authentic Cajun food, two concerts with the music legend Bill Kirchen ("Hot Rod Lincoln"), and such great recording artists Ginny Hawker, Jo-El Savoy, David Greely (co-founder of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys), Gina Forsyth (Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band), Karin Collins, Cristine Balfa, John Lilly, Blake Miller, Jason Frey, Courtney Granger, and others.

Below, selected photos from the week. 

View of the West Virginia mountains from Halliehurst Porch

View from Halliehurst Porch

Cajun legend Walter Mouton, here on fiddle

Cajun fiddle instructor Michelle Kaminsky with Walter Mouton on accordion

Michelle Kaminsky (right) with her fiddle class at the Student Showcase

Me on fiddle playing the Eunice Waltz

Cajun Zydeco dancers Carole and me 

Dancers at the Student Showcase

Student performers at the Cajun Student Showcase

At the Early Country Showcase

Anne McCabe at the Country Student Showcase

Young performing brother and sister at the Country Student Showcase

Fiddle instructor Michelle Kaminsky with Cajun music legend Walter Mouton

Carole at the Ice House Party

Carole and Jim Riley 

Cajun Student Showcase performers Lynn Brainard and Jeff Miller

Christine Balfa on the rubboard at the Ice House Party

 

Sheridan dancing at the Ice House Party

John Lilly (center) with Kelli Jones-Savoy (right) at a jam

David Greely (left) with Joel Savoy (right) at an evening Cajun jam

Kelli Jones-Savoy

Student performer at the Country Student Showcase

Miguel Fontenot

See year 2012 photos at Cajun week here:
http://jlarrygolferphotography.blogspot.com/2012/07/cajuncreole-music-camp-2012-elkins-wv.html

See year 2011 photos at Cajun week here:
http://jlarrygolferphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/at-cajun-week-music-camp-in-elkins-west.html