27th Annual Jana Jae 2024 Music Festival Series
Grand Lake Festivals is excited have our three major Music Festivals in Grove for 2024. The American Heritage Music Festival kicked-off the series in June this year, the Jana Jae Fiddle Camp & Music Fest was Labor Day weekend, and the second Old-Time Gathering & Music Festival coming on October 18 & 19. 2024 is going to round out a great Music Festival year!!
Grand Lake Festivals is extremely pleased to be parterning with Har-Ber Village for two of these Festivals. “This is wonderful synergy and a win-win for everyone involved,” commented Shirley Adams, Chair of the Festivals. In June, the American Heritage Music Festival and the Grand Lake National Fiddle Contest had lots of musical performers, jamming, and competition fun. Coming in October, we look forward to the Old-Time Gathering and Music Festival, with a concluding Contra Dance.
The Jana Jae Fiddle Camp & Music Fest, Labor Day weekend, was held at the Foundation Free Will Baptist Church, which graciously opened its doors to the musicians and groups. Fiddle Camp was not just for fiddlers, but all acoustic instruments were welcomed, from bass, guitar, mandolin, and cello to ukulele and rhythm bones, spoons, and djembe drums! Over 20 instructors were on hand to perform and teach. “We had a fiddlin’ good weekend!” according to Pastor Sam Smith, whose son Colton is a fiddler. Pastor Smith was generous to donate use of the church and its wonderful technical capabilities for the educational Fiddle Camp & Music Fest. This spacious location afforded more private spaces for workshop pods, as well as shaded outdoor areas for rehearsing and jamming. Sunday morning a Gospel Music Jam was featured, and the finale performances, put on by workshop groups was open to the public and a huge success.
October 18 & 19, Har-Ber Village will host the second Old-Time Gathering & Music Festival, presented by Grand Lake Festivals. Music of several genres will fill the Village as will demonstrations such as print making, weaving, blacksmithing, and several interesting talks on the history of this music and its resurgence. The Festival will culminate with a Contra Dance organized by Glen Schmidt in the Event Tent, with caller Susan Downs and the Silver Dollar String Band. The public is invited to come and participate!
Grand Lake Festivals is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promote Oklahoma and the performing arts by providing educational workshops, festivals, and performances. Grand Lake Festivals thanks all volunteers and sponsors, including Cherokee Nation Businesses, the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, Grand Lake Association, the Grand Area Creative Alliance and area newspapers, radio and tv stations. Area businesses are invited to sponsor, and area residents to volunteer and enjoy the vibrant energy of these Festivals.
For info, call 918-786-8896 or 918-786-5780, and visit www.grandlakefestivals.com