2009 OLD FARM DAY
ENTERTAINMENT
JIMMY STELLING
Former banjo player for The Hackensaw Boys, lead luthier for Stelling Banjo Works in Afton, VA
http://www.stellingbanjo.com
ROCK RIVER GYPSIES
The Rock River Gypsies were originally born out of informal jam sessions at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. A band since 2004, Ryan Babarsky, Jared Lawson, Matt Kauper, Chris Smith, and Gina Sobel, known as the "Gypsies," bring a wide variety of genres together, as their musical backgrounds differ greatly from one another. A typical Gypsy show brings together elements of folk, bluegrass, rock, jazz and blues. This is evident from their selection of covers which range from traditional bluegrass tunes such as "Workin' on a Building," and classic rock tunes such as the Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post," to jazz tunes such as John Coltrane's "Mr. PC," and modern pop tunes such as Gnarles Barkley's "Crazy." Most notable, however, is the band's songwriting abilities. Not only do all five members compose original songs, but all five members also sing, making for exquisite harmonies and making no one the "lead vocalist." The Rock River Gypsies have grown from playing charity gigs for campus organizations and local venues, to playing at the Clearwater Festival in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, the Mountville Festival in Loudoun County VA, and intimate venues all over the state of Virginia. Members have performed at ethnomusicology conferences, a royal visit from Queen Elizabeth II, and have been asked for their talents for film scores. The Gypsies currently reside in Charlottesville, VA.
http://www.myspace.com/therockrivergypsies
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Old MacDonald's Farm
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/farm.html
(Elementary Age) Song lyrics, book recommendations, art projects, bulletin board ideas, vocabulary lists, journal prompts, math activities, butter recipes, & more!
A History of American Agriculture (See "Gardening, Foods")
Colonial America 1600-1775 (K12 Resources)
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/colonial.htm
(Page under construction. More to be added soon!)
