past public programs
TAUNY’s public programs focus on performances & events including concerts, dances, storytelling, and foodways events. Since the organization began in the 1970’s, the traditional values and stories embedded in local artistry have been a centerpiece for the ways the organization showcases the distinct idenities of the North Country. The professional practice of local artisans and artists across multiple genres demonstrate artistic excellence, and speak to the struggle and celebration of the history of our people. In research and documentation, this work has been captured and shared by folklorists, and are archived to ensure these traditions are lasting.
North Country Concerts and Musicians
The sixth and headline concert in the Fall 2023 Fiddling Bear Concert Series features music and dance from the Akwesasne Women Singers at the TAUNY Center. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”]
CANTON, NY – As The TAUNY Center wraps up the final few performances of its Fiddling Bear Concert Series, they are delighted to welcome the Akwesasne Women Singers, fresh off their performance in NYC at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian NY, for a night filled with music and dancing. A core group of six or eight led by Theresa Bear Fox, they perform traditional songs and new compositions. [/read]
Beginning in the 1980s when female members of the Swamp family first organized the Women’s Singing Society of Akwesasne, they have become an important cultural group for the Mohawk people. In Haudenosaunee culture, singing societies, until recently all men, are charged with the responsibility of giving assistance and support to those in the community who have suffered some sort of loss. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”] Join members of the North Country community at The TAUNY Center to be immersed in the singing, and after the musical portion, the group will lead the audience in live dancing based on their traditional style of movement.
“What a way to close out our holiday concert series,” says TAUNY Executive Director Joshua Vink, “with the world-class Akwesasne Women’s Singers and music and dance to celebrate the rich traditions of the Mohawk people and our North Country.” [/read]
Jamcrackers
Fraser Family
Jamie Savage Colvin’s Country
Akwesasne Women’s Singers
What began in the 1980s when female members of the Swamp family first organized the Women’s Singing Society of Akwesasne has become an important cultural group for the Mohawk people. In Haudenosaunee culture, singing societies, until recently all men, are charged with the responsibility of giving assistance and support to those in the community who have suffered a loss of some sort. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”]
A major goal of this group has been to help to keep the Mohawk language alive through song. Whether sung for traditional ceremonies in the Longhouse, for social occasions in their community and beyond, or for teaching their own children, most of the songs are written and performed in Mohawk. Through their songs, they honor Mother the Earth, Grandmother the Moon, grandparents from every generation, and the Great Law of Peace. With as many as 14 women and girls and a core group of six or eight, they perform traditional songs and new compositions by their leader, Theresa Bear Fox. The singing is occasionally accompanied by rattles and water drums. [/read]
Jamcrackers
Seasoned solo performers Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn and Dan Duggan have combined talents to create a dynamic trio named in honor of the river drivers who broke up log jams. They worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and it was a job that couldn’t be done alone. Dan, Peggy and Dan feel the same way about their music. These good friends and accomplished musicians bring a rare blend of humor history and musical spirit to their performances. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”]
Dan Berggren is recognized as one of the finest songwriters in the North East and has received both the Presidents Award for Excellence in Teaching and the New York State Outdoor Education Assoc. Art and Literature Award. Dan has released six recordings of original songs ; Adirondack Green, Sitting in Your Kitchen, Mountain Air, Now Please Welcome, One With The Water, and Fresh Territory
Peggy Lynn is recognized nationwide as a singer who puts her soul into her voice, and a songwriter with a heartfelt message. Her work has been featured at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, and in 1996 Peggy was selected “Adirondack Woman Of The Year”. She has released six recordings, Determination, Chameleon, Bio Songs, Earned These Lines , Close to the Sun and Cloudsplitter. Peggy recently co-authored a book about remarkable Adirondack women, titled “ Breaking Trail “, and has released a CD of songs she has written about these women titled “ Stand a Chance”. Peggy also recently released “Adirondack Woman”, a CD compilation of her songs celebrating women of the Adirondack Mountains.
Dan Duggan is known nationally for his wizardry on Hammered Dulcimer and Flat Picking Guitar, and is the recipient of the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship. Dan has recorded six albums of original compositions, “First Frost”, “Last of May”, “Seasons of Change”, “Trillium Lane”, “Once in a Blue Moon” and “For the Love of Friends” as well as three albums of traditional holiday music “Christmas Morn”, “Winters Eve”, and “All Through The Night. Dan’s CD, “The Pieces of Our Life” original songs written with children, received a 1998 Parents Choice Award. Dan’s dulcimer work can also be heard on Paul Simon’s Grammy nominated CD “Your The One” released in October of 2000. Dan also recently
released Shenandoah Falls, original and traditional instrumental tunes. The Trio has released 3 CDs of original and traditional songs and tunes “Get Crackin”, “Jamcrackers”,
and “Ten Miles to Saturday Night” and are known across the country for their masterful harmonies and soulful arrangements. [/read]
Uprooted with Lenore VanderZee
Uprooted specializes in harmonies and acoustic interpretations spanning Americana Roots & Branches. The band features Camilla Ammarati(banjo, vocals), Catherine Jahncke(bass guitar, vocals), Rosemary Phillips(mandolin, vocals), and Lenore VanderZee (guitar, vocals) playing both unique covers and original tunes. This band is featured as part of intimate shows at The TAUNY Center showcasing traditional music and themes that evoke the North Country’s local environment, history, and culture.
"W" IS FOR WOODS TRADITIONAL ADIRONDACK MUSIC & MUSIC MAKING
In 2019, TAUNY embarked on a project to research and compile a full online database and website of Traditional Adirondack Folk Music. Led by artist, project director, and lead researcher Dave Ruch, the site features musical selections across distinct genres, singers and songwriters, musical events and has a full gallery of images and downloads available for the public. Image to right: Traditional Musicians playing for a community dance. Click on this image or link below to go to the research website.
https://woods.tauny.org/