By Ann McCreary
“A Musical Journey Through Time” at Shafer Historical Museum this Saturday (Aug. 24) offers a full day of workshops, demonstrations, jam sessions, historical perspectives on Methow Valley music, and a free performance of Celtic music.
Sponsored by Shafer Museum and Cascadia, the Methow Music Association, the event “is a relaxed day of musical fun,” said Roxie Miller, who helped coordinate the event.
The day begins with demonstrations and workshops in fiddle, mandolin, guitar and Celtic rhythm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a $20 fee for the workshops, and interested people should call Pam Hunt, 997-0222 for information or to sign up.
A discussion of Methow Musical History, featuring historian Richard Hart, will be held from 2-3 p.m. Miller said the discussion will explore the types of music and musical events that characterized the valley’s past.
An open jam session from 3-4:30 p.m. welcomes all musicians with a focus on traditional American music.
Concluding the day’s events is a free concert from 5-6 p.m. by Prairie Spring, a string and percussion trio playing music with Celtic, Irish and Scottish roots.
The Ellensburg-based trio includes Barb Riley on violin/fiddle, Tim Hennery on guitar and mandolin and Roberta Clark on folk harp and bushman.
People are invited to stroll around the museum, bring chairs and a picnic, Miller said. The event is family-friendly, and picnickers are asked not to bring alcohol, she said.
The Shafer Museum is at 285 Castle Ave. in Winthrop.
