Old-Time Music & Dance Week at the Swannanoa Gathering explores the rich music, dance, and singing traditions of the southern Appalachian region through a wide variety of classes taught by an experienced and supportive staff. The many diverse offerings enable students to explore new areas; fiddlers sing, singers dance, and dancers learn to play instruments. Students enroll in as many as three regular classes during the week, and each afternoon a variety of short workshop topics are offered during the Potluck Sessions. The daily Communal Gathering features master musicians, singers, and dancers from across the Appalachian region. Evening activities include jam sessions, singing, square dances, clogging, concerts, and the popular Late-Night Honky-Tonk Dance! To accommodate families, we offer the Teen Gathering, a class specifically for teenagers, Young Old-Time, an evening jam for young players, and a Children’s Program for ages 6-12 with kids’ activities scheduled during all the daytime class sessions. Space, however, is limited. Evening childcare for ages 3-12 is provided at no additional cost.
