March 3-5, 2017 SPRING MOO GATHERING
Participant-Led workshops and featured vocalist Dawn Riesing. We wouldn't want to forget the YOGA!
Sept 8, 2017 MINI MOO CONCERT
Matt Watroba
Many know Matt Watroba as the voice of folk music in Michigan for his work with WDET-Detroit Public Radio. MOO-ers will remember Matt for his great workshops and concert set at the Nov 2016 MOO Music Gathering. As producer and host of the Folks Like Us program, and Folk Alley, Watroba has come in contact with many aspects of folk music and culture. This has helped shape a repertoire and presentation that is unique on stages across the state and country. He is committed to inspiring the world to sing-one town at a time. Matt sings and writes songs of compassion, inner strength, humor and everyday living. He was awarded "Best Overall Folk Performer" by the Detroit Music Awards for the year 2000. He has shared the stage with the likes of Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Christine Lavin, Peter Yarrow and Richard Thompson.
a Mini-MOO Concert Series presentation
Friday, Sept 8, 2017 at The Beulah Brinton House, 2590 S Superior St., Milwaukee, WI 53207
Concert: 7:30 PM Everyone is invited to sing along
Suggested donation: $15 Open to the public. Seating is limited, so call ahead to save your place. Doors open at 7:00 PM
November 3-5, 2017 FALL MOO GATHERING
FALL FEATURED PERFORMERS: Michael Longcor & Les Gustafson-Zook
Professional-Led Workshops
MICHAEL LONGCOR
Michael Longcor writes and sings songs (guitar) on subjects ranging from space travel to Native Americans, old veterans, vengeful seeing- eye dogs, vampires and pirates. His music has aired on regional radio across the U.S. and Europe and his skewed sense of humor has resulted in spots on the syndicated radio show, Doctor Demento (Michael has accompanied the Good Doctor in his live stage show).
9:45 - 11:45 AM: WRITING THE SONGS YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR
With over 25 years of recognized songwriting and mentoring experience, Michael Longcor discusses how he writes songs that cover the subjects pop radio rarely gets into, from space travel to American history and bumbling outdoorsman to flying monkeys. He deals with where to get ideas, how to develop writing skills and making connections with others who like songwriting.
1:00 - 3:00 PM: CHEAP TRICKS FOR THE INSTRUMENT IMPAIRED AND PERFORMANCE INHIBITED
Michael Longcor is (according to him) not a very good guitar player, and a worse banjo and mandolin player. Yet he's entertained audiences on stage while playing all three (though not at the same time). He talks of and shows some of the cheating tricks he's picked up in 25 years of performing that help fool audiences into thinking he's a better musician than he really is, as well as how a painfully shy guy manages to stand up and perform in front of an audience. Many of the instrumental tips are not just for playing guitar, banjo or mandolin. But if you want to play the saxophone, they may not be as much help.
LES GUSTAFSON-ZOOK
Les Gustafson-Zook, from Goshen, Indiana, is a popular autoharp instructor and performer, appearing at many festivals and music schools in the U. S. since 1990.
9:45 - 11:45 AM: AUTOHARP ADVENTURES
Come prepared to expand your autoharp skills with this experienced performer and instructor! Working through accompaniment and melody techniques, everyone will leave this session with something new for coaxing more musicality from their autoharps. You'll be excited about all the new possibilities for your playing!
1:00 - 3:00 PM: CREATIVE PERCUSSION WITH ODD INSTRUMENTS
You'll never look at spoons, a spam can, a yard stick or a pizza box the same after this session with odd instruments. Les will be sharing his limberjack collection and odd instruments and leading the group in percussive adventures, offering creative uses for recyclables for musical purposes. Come prepared to laugh with others in this lighthearted experience of cacophony.