Been quiet... but not for long

I've been away from the Blog for a couple of weeks, and will be back into it shortly. It'll help to have things cool down weather-wise... it's a sauna in the garage (where the computer is).

Stay posted!!

V

Drums Of All Sorts

Mark Sawasky, a percussionist located in Corktown, (Detroit, MI) is featured here (Model D Media). He is an avid collector of drums of all kinds and origins, including a good many gourd-based instruments from around the world.

The story (linked here) includes a number of photos, including some of the gourd instruments.

Ottawa Folk Festival

Currently underway (though Sunday) is the Ottawa Folk Festiva, Ottawa, Canada. Headline acts include Kris Kristofferson.

One of the featured musicians is Mali-born Jah Youssouf, who plays a large gourd-based instrument called a n'goni (shown here).

More information on the festival can be obtained at www.ottawafolk.org.

Halls of Gourds

Gourd artists Joanne and Albert Hall of Duval, Florida, are featured in an article in the Daily Sun Online Edition.

The Halls have been gourd artists for 13 years, and have made hundreds of finished items over the years.

It's pleasing, once again, to see gourd artists highlighted in the local press.

Gourd Birdhouse Class, Cookeville TN

Cookeville, Tennessee:

The Putnam County Master Gardeners are hosting a Gourd Birdhouse painting event, September 4, from 6-9 p.m. The class will be held in the Master Gardener's Fairgrounds building.

For information on this class (and other events), contact Donna Jasitt at (931) 432-2113.

Gourd and Basketry, Kentucky

A basketry and gourd event will take place in Berea, Kentucky, August 17-18. The event will be held at the Kentucky Artisan Center, 975 Walnut Meadow Rd., Berea.

For information, call the Center at (859) 985-5448.

Berea is located 40 miles south of Lexington, KY.

Gourd Art, Alabama

Dothan, Alabama recently had their "Taylor-Made" show, featuring many home-made items. Included among the exhibits was the work of local artist Harold Barron. Barron has been a gourd artist for about a year.

Here's the writeup on Barron and other show interests in the local paper-site, Dothan Eagle.

Dothan is located in the southern corner of Alabama, near the borders of Georgia and Florida, midway between Montgomery, AL and Tallahassee, FL.

Oklahoma City Pow Wow

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic is holding its 3rd annual Pow Wow at the Cox Pavilion, Oklahoma City, this coming Saturday (August 18th).

The event will begin with Gourd Dancing at 2pm. Dozens of vendors will be displaying and selling their wares (an excellent source of fiber arts and materials).

The Cox Pavilion is located at 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City (downtown). For information on the Pow Wow, contact Steve Barse at (405) 948-4900, ext. 161.

Gourd Day in Raleigh, NC

This Saturday (August 11) is "Gourd Day" at the State Farmer's Market, Raleigh, NC. Lots of gourd crafts, gourds, gourd seeds and more... 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The State Farmer's Market is located at 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh, NC. Call (919) 733-7417 for more information.

Source: IndyWeek

When a Gourd isn't a Gourd...

Just recently came across this link for Carroll Industries, a company in Missouri that manufactures birdhouses. Among their products are Gourd Birdhouses. But these birdhouses are not gourds as we know them... they're gourd-shaped aluminum or plastic (not certain) products. Definitely not organic gourds.

The things that make you go "hmmm..."

Gourd Music Gathering, New Mexico

Calling All Gourd Musicians! Cathryne and Tom Richards are rounding up all Gourd Society Members (New Mexico) who have gourd musical instruments to come and play at the first Rehearsal of the Gourd Band on Sunday, August 19th (1-5 p.m.) at Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, Alburquerque, NM. (just west of Eubank in Los Altos Park). (details here)

In October, Native American dancers will come and join us at the Celebration of Gourds. Bring your instrument on August 19th and plan on playing with a group of about 20 people.

Call Cathryne or Tom Richards at (505) 771-3638 to sign up and find out more information about this opportunity!

Where's the Link to....?

The Gourdblog is still new by most standards... it's still in its first month since inception. On average, I've been able to add two or three items a day, with that number surely to go up.

It's an evolving site, with new stuff added regularly, and new links added as well. You'll see on the one side a list of farms, for example... it's not a complete list because (a) not all farms have been located, or (b) some locations don't have web access or email (e.g. the Smucker farm in Amish country, Pennsylvania).

So, if you come across this list and see that you're not on it, or know someone who's not on it, it's not because you or they are being ignored... I just haven't found you or added you yet! Of course, you can always stir the fire under this mass and send in an email requesting to be added. (Stirring of the the fire is encouraged and welcomed!)

The email address is gourdblog@gmail.com

More links will be added in various categories... Gourd Artists, Suppliers, Galleries, and much more.

South Carolina Wood Carver's Show

The 7th Annual Wood Carver's Show in Orangeburg, SC, includes (for the second year running) a Gourd Category.

The Show is held September 29 - October 7, at the Orangeburg Fine Arts Center.

For information on the show, including rules and entry form, click here.

Orangeburg is located between Augusta and Charleston, SC (80 miles east of Augusta, 80 miles northwest of Charleston).

Texas Gourd Show... Mark your calendars!

From Rebecca Wise, Texas Gourd Society Advertising Manager:

The Texas Gourd Society presents its 12th Annual Lone Star Gourd Festival at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington St., Waco, TX, October 27th and 28th, 2007. There you will find gourd artists & crafters, demonstrations & seminars, a judged competition & raffle, plus cleaned & dried gourds, tools, equipment & accessories. Visit our Kids Kraft Korner & Bookstore. Adults $5.00, Children under 12, FREE.

Call (806) 523-9092 or (817) 726-6653for more information, or visit www.TexasGourdSociety.org. Waco is located in the "Heart of Texas" on I-35 two hours south of Dallas.

August 17-18: Gourd Gala, Cookeville, TN

Cookeville, TN -- The Upper Cumberland Arts Alliance (UCAA) is holding its Gourd Gala August 17 (12:30-6 p.m.) and August 18 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) A reception will be held Friday, August 17 (4-6 p.m.).

The Gourd Gala will show, sell and present demonstrations by Gourd artists. There will also be photography, paintings, weavings and other media using gourds as a theme.

Artists interested in participating may call Alice Maiwald at (931) 265-0338 or e-mail uppercumberlandartsalliance@yahoo.com for more information or space reservations.

Cookeville is located on the Interstate 40 in eastern Tennessee, about 80 miles east of Nashville.