Lime Kiln Reaches Foul-weather Capacity For Sept 24, Sept 26

Executive Director Kim Renz proudly (and hopefully) announced that Lime Kiln has reached foul-weather capacity at the outdoor performance venue for events on September 24th and 26th. Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile, appear on Friday evening, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops perform at the Mike Seeger Celebration on Sunday afternoon.

Renz continued, "We only sell as many tickets as we have room in our rain shelter, until we determine the weather will allow us to hold an event outside. We are taking names for the waiting list for tickets for both concerts, and now we wait on the weather to cooperate."

"We are ecstatic about the response to both of these concerts. At the beginning of the season sales didn't meet our expectations, but since Stonewall Country in July, results really picked up. Last year the Punch Brothers brought a huge crowd, and it looks like, barring rain, they may exceed last year's crowd. I am also really pleased that the Carolina Chocolate Drops are drawing so many to celebrate Mike's life. This will be their first appearance here, and with all of the help getting out the word, this event will also be a great success."

Punch Brothers first came to Lexington last year at the behest of Lime Kiln Board member Pete Holladay. Renz says Holladay has a good eye and ear for talent. "Pete brought us Punch Brothers last year and Belleville Outfit this spring. Punch Brothers, with Chris Thile as their featured performer, are becoming huge stars in folk music circles. They immediately stacked up to The Seldom Scene and Robin and Linda Williams in audience appeal, and they also bring a younger crowd to the venue, and thanks to WNRN in Charlottesville, they are drawing more students than normal." Gates open at 6pm on Friday, and Punch Brothers open at 7:30pm.

To give background to the Celebration of Mike Seeger on Sunday the 26th, Renz provided information about Rockbridge County artist from the iconic musician's website. ‘Mike Seeger devoted his life to singing and playing what he often called "Music from True Vine" - the home music made by American southerners before the media age. As he described it: "Music from True Vine grows out of hundreds of years of British traditions that blended in our country with equally ancient African traditions to produce songs and sounds unique to the United States. For the peoples of the rural South, their great variety of music, song, and story provided their Shakespeare, their dance music, their news, and the fabric of their daily lives. This music in time became the roots of today's country, bluegrass, and popular music and remains as ever, enduring and refreshing listening."'

Seeger described Old Time Music in a 1997 article in Bluegrass Magazine. He wrote: "Old-time music was the old-time name for real mountain-type folk music. ... It is the kind of music that Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers and, in fact, most rural people prior to the mid nineteen twenties, were raised with. It is the old unaccompaniEd English ballads like Barbara Allen, new American songs like Wild Bill Jones, old fiddle tunes like Devil's Dream, and newer banjo tunes like Cumberland Gap. It's a rich and varied heritage of music - as rich as the roots music of any country. It was played throughout rural America but was extra strong and distinctive in the Southeast, especially in the mountains. It is sung and played on a variety of acoustic instruments including the guitar and mandolin which were newcomers to it in the early twentieth century. It used to be played by African Americans as well as Anglo, French & Scotch- Irish, etc Americans. It nearly died out in mid-century but has found new life and is being played, mostly informally, by people all over the country."

Seeger's wife, Alexia Smith, suggested the Carolina Chocolate Drops to perform, because Mike thought they embodied the spirit of the music. "Mike would love this event, said Ms. Smith. "We've had wonderful visits with the Drops, and Mike liked that they're taking the old music in new directions, to new hearers, many of them young."
Renz said NPR station WMRA in Harrisonburg, the media sponsor, made a huge difference selling the event, as well as Ms. Smith and others interested in this style of music. "We have also sold more online tickets to these two events than to any of our others. I hope that's a sign of good times to come."

Gates will open on Sunday at 2pm. The Carolina Chocolate Drops will play at 3pm, and the Bowl lobby will be turned into a contra dance floor after the concert, with music provided by the Poison Bottom Boys. Beckie McKenzie and Fred Park will call the dances.

To be placed on the waiting list for tickets to both concerts, call the Lime Kiln Office at 540-463-7088.

"Pray for sunshine," said Renz, his eyes raised skyward.

Upcoming Performances at Theater at Lime Kiln

September 24 Concessions: 6pm; Concert: 7:30pm Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile

September 26 Concessions: 2pm; Concert: 3pm Carolina Chocolate Drops - Mike Seeger Celebration

October 3 Concessions: 6pm; Concert: 7pm Halestone Dance Studio

October 9 Concessions: 6pm; Concert: 7pm Community Dance Connection Theatre