Press release from Madison County Arts Council:
It all began 13 years ago as a small fall garden party for friends and neighbors in support of the Madison County Arts Council. It became the annual fall fundraiser The Soiree at Kalamazoo. This year’s event will be held on October 8, beginning at 2:30 on Little Pine Road at the site of the old Kalamazoo Presbyterian Church and School. Ticket price includes Bill & Judy Ricker’s delicious spaghetti and meatballs and Lib Robert’s famous banana pudding. “Some folks come all the way from Burke county for mama’s puddin’,” smiled Pat Franklin.
Monies raised from The Soiree at Kalamazoo support The Franklin Project. In the past, the Franklin Project has funded The Junior Appalachian Musicians Program (JAM), a traditional music program for school aged children; programming at area public schools; the production of an award winning documentary of local fiddler, Roger Howell; an afternoon of holiday storytelling with tellers from the National Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN, and the day long residency of Cherokee artists, Shirley Oswalt. The $30 ticket price includes food and beverages, music from the singer-songwriter, Ashley Heath and the popular Whitewater Bluegrass Company for over 30 years captivating audiences throughout the Southeast with their blend of Bluegrass music, country ballads, mountain swing and down-home humor. With Whitewater, mountain culture is a celebration of music, song and dance. Forrest Jarrett, retired railroad pistol totter, Marshall Depot savior and Franklin Project Board Member declared, “Nothing does my heart more good than to see these young folks learn to play, sing and dance to the music of our ancestors. I am mighty proud to play a part in making it possible for our youth to carrying on their heritage.”
“This event has thirteen years of family, fun and fellowship behind it,” remarked Boosinger. “Pat Franklin began this event over a decade ago as a garden party in support of the arts council. Now the Soiree at Kalamazoo is the social event of the season. The audience has grown beyond Madison County and in past years guests attended from Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Germany. It’s worth the trip!”
For tickets and more information contact The Madison County Arts Council at (828) 649-1301 or at www.madisoncountyarts.com.
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