WHEATLAND - More Than Just a Festival

Unbeknown to many people, Wheatland Music Organization has more to offer the
community than just an annual festival.

Priding itself as a non-profit organization dedicated to preservation and
presentation of traditional music and arts, WMO also supports many year
round activities for the local community.

Over the course of last year, WMO invested over $125,000 in arts for the
community such as school and senior center education, arts and music
workshops, dance and instrument classes, jamborees, scholarships, and local
donations.

During 2002, area schools and senior centers were treated to such artists as
Like Water Drumworks from the Ann Arbor area that educated patrons in the
origin, culture and folklore of drumming and dance of West Africa.  Toucan
Jam took students on a Multi-Cultural Whirlwind Tour of the world with
handmade costumes, masks and finger piano.  Local Remus artist Bruce
Baumann, always a pleasure, shared his expertise and knowledge in
traditional fiddle encouraging the audience to sing-along.

These are just an example of the artists who are available for booking by
any organization through the Wheatland Music Organization.  Wheatland offers
these programs on a cost/share donation basis and some are available as full
grants.

Scheduling for 2003 is well underway so contact WMO at 989-967-8879 for the
Community Education Outreach Program booklet that includes artist
information and availability.

During 2002, $5,000 was awarded as scholarships enabling many aspiring
artists to take instrument lessons, dance lessons, obtain musical
instruments and pursue traditional arts training in and out-of-state. 
Applications are currently being accepted for 2003.  In addition, subsidized
instrument lessons are available for persons wishing to learn guitar,
fiddle, ukulele, banjo, mandolin or hammered dulcimer.

Jamborees are held on the first Saturday of the month at 2 pm and Contra,
Square and Traditional Dances on various Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on
the festival site.  Saturday Arts and Music workshops such as basket-making,
guitar, paper cutting and carving are offered at throughout the spring and
fall.

Wheatscouts offers a chance for the very young (1-12, parents encouraged to
come) to come together and participate in music, dance, storytelling, crafts
and nature.  Each year, the program season is offered the second Saturday of
each month beginning with October and ending with a campout on the site in
June.

Traditional Arts Weekend, held over the Memorial Day weekend, allows patrons
to participate in over 60 workshops and performances and experience
Wheatland in a more low-key atmosphere than during festival.

The music festival in September offers local non-profit and youth
organizations a chance to host a food vendor booth and earn money for their
organization.

For more information on any of these programs or to find out more about the
Wheatland Music Organization, contact the office at 989-967-8879 or the
website at www.wheatlandmusic.org

Patty Esch
Publicity Writer