What’s New in Lagniappe Fête

We have made many tweaks and added a few new features to this year’s fête.

For example, did you accidentally purchase two copies of the same book? We welcome you to bring old dulcimer books that you no longer use for our “Second Glance Treasures” table. Let a new dulcimer player enjoy them. All books should be ones appropriate for donation to Lagniappe who will use proceeds of donations for a charitable cause. No books or C.D. from current vendors or artists please.

What’s New at Lagniappe Dulcimer Fête 2018

  • Dulcimer Orchestra performs on Thursday afternoon immediately after the LA State Dulcimer Contest.
  • Bowed Psaltery workshops are back (one each day). Plus a vendor is attending who sales psalteries!
  • Keyboard Back-Up” is an intensive 2-hr workshop on Thursday afternoon for all musicians. $17.00 fee.
  • “Cook Like A Cajun” is an intensive 2-hr workshop on Thursday afternoon for anyone interested in Cajun culture and food. A $25.00 fee includes all food and supplies.
  • Gentle Jam sessions specifically for advanced beginner and novice players are scheduled throughout the two days. They are in workshop slots; check the schedule.
  • Do you have a memory of Lagniappe through the years? Share it with us on our giant birthday display.
  •  We have a new caterer for suppers; catfish is fried on-site. This assures piping hot catfish; but also means a slight wait for some folks as fresh batches are fried.
  •  Visit the “Second Glance Treasures” table. Did you accidentally purchase 2 of the same book? Do you have old books and dulcimer accessories that you no longer use and would like to donate and pass along? Bring them for our table. Donations will be used for a charitable cause. (Please, no books/C.D by current performers or being sold at vendor tables.)
  • New this year is an autoharp repair vendor; bring all those autoharps for a tune-up and fix up and then play them!  Our “dulcimer doctor”, Terry McCafferty, returns.
  • Non-players (and players) might enjoy visiting the blacksmith at the museum on Friday morning as well take tour of the museum. A new workshop on Friday afternoon lead by Cajun museum staff will tell about “Cajun Music and Lyrics”.
  • Our popular “Mississippi River Levee Jam” is back again. It is moved to Saturday. It occupies lunch and first afternoon workshop slot. We will car-pool and appreciate it if you can take a few folks with you. We will meet at 11:30 am at the Registration Table. Get in the lunch line first if you purchased a meal ticket.
  • Instead of a mini-concert on Friday afternoon, we are having a square dance lead by professional caller Steve Bing and his Famous Texas Band (David Lindsey (hails from OK) & friends). You don’t need a partner or know how to dance, just come with your dancing shoes and join in.
  • We are having three nightly concerts. Rather than introducing our featured performers on Thursday night, we are starting things out with a concert by three of our instructors (in addition to a Lagniappe pageant, crowning new king and queen and a surprise). You won’t want to miss it as Margaret Wright, Steve Heiser and Karen Daniels perform to open our fête concerts.
  • “Meet the Instructors” has moved to Thursday afternoon. You are in for a treat as our featured mountain dulcimer instructors each perform a number or two in a mini-concert after the dulcimer contest. (Margaret, Erin Mae, Linda, Steve, Sam and Trish.)
  • We have several new classrooms this year.
    o The Juke Box is behind the museum. Handicap Access is close to the parking lot behind the Museum. Drive along the street behind the Community Center to get to the Juke Box easily.
    o We are using a small room inside The Arbroth Store. Access to this room is BEHIND the store.
    o We’re using the Perkins Gallery this year. The Whitehead Galley holds a priceless exhibit.
    o The Timeline Room is just inside the front door of the Museum for pennywhistle workshops.
  • Parking for hammered dulcimers is on the street by the American Legion hall door. Don’t walk with your heavy dulcimer to the hall and Juke Box; we encourage you drive and park right next to the front door. (This is Steve Heiser’s suggestion; good for Rick Thum’s workshop students, too.)