2011 WCRF Shows and Theme Sets

Friday's Events
A History of Ragtime Tex Wyndham, Friday, 10:30 am-12:00 p.m., Sierra The festival opens earlier than in past years to give Tex plenty of time to demonstrate a history of ragtime! Tex's show uses music and commentary to tell where ragtime came from, how it works, and the circumstances under which it thrived.
The Music of Joseph Lamb Larisa Migachyov, Friday, 12:00-12:45 p.m., Yosemite Larisa plays the works of Joseph Lamb, the most lyrical of the 'Big Three' ragtime composers - the well-known classics as well as the more obscure gems.
Schmetterer Plays Schmetterer Christoph Schmetterer, Friday, 1:15-2:00 p.m., Camellia Christoph has composed almost 200 pieces including about 40 rags. He plays his best rags and a selection of his other works including waltzes, marches and tangos.
The Mystery of A-Flat, Part 1 Jack Rummel, Friday, 3:00-3:45 p.m., Yosemite Why were so many of ragtime’s biggest hits written in the key of A-flat? Jack Rummel explores the answers to this question in Part 1 of two part special sets at this year’s festival. (Part 2 - Sunday, 9:00-9:45 A.m., Camellia See below.)
The Bucket of Blood Saloon Favorite Squeek Steele, piano with Gary Greenlund, banjo, Friday, 4:15-5:00 p.m., J.B.’s Lounge Squeek Steele and Gary Greenlund have played together at the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City,NV for over 15 years. Their set features old standards (songs, dances, and ragtime) from 1895--1935.
Introducing Lothar Perl Rosemary Hallum, Friday, 5:00-5:30 p.m., Comstock 3 Lothar Perl is a master of novelty piano, along with Felix Arndt, Zez Confrey, and Billy Mayerl. Yet, he’s not very well known in the U.S. Come learn something about him and hear some of his music.
Festival Sampler Friday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Martinique With so many performers, and a few who haven’t appeared here for a few years, how do you decide who to hear? This is your chance to hear new and returning performers play in their own unique styles. Featured performers include: Jeff Barnhart, Cali-Co Ragtime Quartet, Danny Coots, Neville Dickie, Phillip Dyson, Brian Holland, Maurice Imhof, Martin Jaeger, Valerie Kazik, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Frank LiVolsi, Dave Majchrzak, Raspberry Jam Band, Squeek Steele with Gary Greenlund, St. Louis Ragtimers, John Reed Torres, and Tex Wyndham. Emceed by Jack Rummel.
Cakewalk Demonstration Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble, Friday, 8:00 – 9:00 pm, Martinique. Here’s your chance to strut your stuff. Everyone gets to do the cakewalk, the high-kicking, bending, bowing dance style of the Turn of the Century, to the music of the Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble. If you’d like to really know the steps, go the Cakewalk dance class on Friday at 5:45 pm in J.B.’s Lounge, taught by our head dance instructor, Bruce Mitchell. Even if you can’t make the class, get to the Martinique Ballroom at 8:00 pm, where the dance floor will be open for all. And when the cakewalk is over, there’s a slice of cake for everyone.
Silent Movies Friday, 10:00 – 11:00 pm, Martinique Frederick Hodges accompanies two movies from the 1920s. David Shepard, an internationally renowned film preservationist, is providing both the silent movies and historical commentary about the films. Shepard’s company, Film Preservation Associates, is responsible for many high quality DVD versions of silent films. Shepard began restoring films when he joined the American Film Institute in 1968 as one of their first staff members. In 1987, he bought the Blackhawk Films library. Mr. Shepard is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The silent movies are: Angora Love (1929) Laurel and Hardy Stanley and Oliver are adopted by a runaway goat, whose noise and aroma in turn get the goat of their suspicious landlord. Attempts to bathe the smelly animal result in a waterlogged free-for-all. The High Sign (1921) Buster Keaton Buster is thrown off a train near an amusement park. There, he gets a job in a shooting gallery run by the Blinking Buzzards mob. Ordered to kill a businessman, Buster winds up protecting the man and his daughter by outfitting their home with trick devices.
Saturday's Events
Youth Master Class Richard Dowling, Instructor. Saturday, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Sierra On Saturday, November 5, 2011, West Coast Ragtime Society hosted its 7^th annual Youth Piano Competition for young pianists ages 8 - 18. The first place winners from each division will be participating in a Master Class led by festival headliner, Richard Dowling. This event is open to all festival attendees. Come hear the future of ragtime!
Around the World With Tango Stanley Stern & Marti Lindholm, Saturday, 11:30 A.M.-12:15 P.M., J.B.’s Lounge Tango dances, though born in Argentina, rapidly reached around the world starting in the Ragtime era. Stanley Stern and Marti Lindholm will play 45 minutes of tangos from Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Germany, Cuba, and the United States.
Swiss Ragtime Martin Jäger, Valerie Kazik (age 16), and Maurice Imhof (age 15), Saturday, 12:30 – 1:15 pm, Sierra Martin performs a selection of his own rags and introduces the winners of the first Swiss Youth Ragtime Piano Contest held in Zurich , Switzerland in September, 2011. The competition was made possible through the great help and visit of three couples from West Coast Ragtime Society: Jack & Chris Bradshaw, Bub & Petra Sullivan, and Steve & Robyn Drivon. In addition, Jeff & Anne Barnhart were featured at the competition's finale. All in all a wonderful Swiss-American ragtime co-production!
Sellers of the Ragtime Era Rosemary Hallum with Kitty Wilson, Saturday, 1:30-2:00 p.m., Comstock 3 Rosemary “Rosie” Hallum and “Washboard Kitty” Wilson play million-selling songs and instrumental hits of the ragtime era, plus interesting historical tidbits about the tunes.
That Certain Party: The Music of Walter Donaldson Tex Wyndham, Saturday, 2:15-3:15 p.m., Camellia This theme set uses music and commentary to outline the life of a man who came to prominence during the ragtime years, and went on to become a major composer of Tin Pan Alley’s Golden Age.
A Gershwin Concert Richard Dowling & Frederick Hodges, Saturday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Martinique Richard Dowling and Frederick Hodges perform the original two-piano versions of “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Concerto in F.”
Ragtime 1911! Saturday, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, Martinique Every tune in this show is from 1911, when ragtime was the rage in America . Featured performers: Jeff Barnhart, Nan Bostick, Tom Brier, Cali-Co Ragtime Quartet, Bill Clark, Crown Syncopators, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Ivory & Gold Trio, Max Keenlyside, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Carl Sonny Leyland, Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble, Ragnolia Ragtette, Ragtime Skedaddlers, St. Louis Ragtimers, Virginia Tichenor, and Maurie Walker. Emceed by Jeff Barnhart.
The Music of Ernesto Nazareth Squeek Steele, Saturday, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., Yosemite Squeek Steele performs Brazilian composer Nazareth 's tangos, maxixes, a little known waltz, and a fast dance of African origin.
St. Louis Ragtimers 50th Anniversary Celebration! St. Louis Ragtimers, Saturday, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Martinique While West Coast Ragtime Society celebrates its silver 25th anniversary this year, The St. Louis Ragtimers are celebrating their golden 50th anniversary this year. West Coast Ragtime Society is pleased to present the four original members of the St. Louis Ragtimers. Formed in 1961, they are still together after 50 years. You are invited to hear them in concert, singing and playing some of their “Greatest Hits”! Come help them celebrate their golden anniversary as a band with this special 50th anniversary concert. Emceed by Jack Rummel, with assistance from Marty Eggers, Hal Krueger, and Dennis Pash.
Grand March Saturday, 8:00 pm, Martinique Hundreds of marchers parade through the hotel in the tradition of the ragtime era, led by the West Coast Marching Band. This year’s marching band is comprised of musicians here at the festival from the Cali-Co Ragtime Quartet, Ivory & Gold Trio, Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble, and Raspberry Jam Band. So put on your finest attire and join the big parade!
Stride, Stomps & Surprises! Saturday, 9:30 – 11:00 pm, Martinique Solos, duos, and a lot of fun! Featured performers include: Jeff Barnhart, Danny Coots, Neville Dickie, Ann Gibson, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Ivory & Gold Trio, Max Keenlyside, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Carl Sonny Leyland, Dave Majchrzak, Will Perkins, Adam Swanson, and Stephanie Trick. Emceed by Jeff Barnhart.
Sunday's Events
The Mystery of A-Flat, Part 2 Jack Rummel, Sunday, 9:00-9:45 A.m., Camellia Why were so many of ragtime’s biggest hits written in the key of A-flat? Jack Rummel explores the answers to this question in Part 2 of his two part special sets on this topic at this year’s festival. (Part 1, Friday, 3:00-3:45 p.m., Yosemite. See above.)
Modern Rags from the Ragtime Revival Tom Brier, Sunday, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Sierra Tom Brier plays an entire set of “modern” rags written during the ragtime revival.
Youth Concert Sunday, 10:00 – 11:30 am, Martinique The future of ragtime depends on the ragtime playing youth of today, so our festival provides opportunities for outstanding young ragtimers to spotlight their talents. All our youth performers are in this one show. Lindy Clute, Maurice Imhof, Vincent Johnson, Valerie Kazik, Max Keenlyside, Frank LiVolsi, Will Perkins, Adam Swanson, and John Reed Torres. Emceed by Stephanie Trick.
Rags Over the Waves Martin Jäger & Christoph Schmetterer, Sunday, 12:00-12:45 P.m., Yosemite Martin and Christoph are two of the most prolific ragtime-composers from Europe . They play a selection of their own compositions as well as European rags from the early 20th century.
The Music of Frederic Chopin and Chopin-Inspired Ragtime! Richard Dowling, Sunday, 1:15-2:00 p.m., Martinique Richard Dowling plays the classical music of Frederic Chopin (1810-1849), punctuated by some Chopin-inspired ragtime. A special classical & ragtime treat that you won't want to miss!
Music From Vienna Rosemary Hallum & Christoph Schmetterer, Sunday, 3:30-4:00 P.m., Comstock 3 Christoph Schmetterer of Vienna, Austria, and Rosemary Hallum, three-time visitor to Vienna, welcome you to their set of piano duets from Austria -- from Viennese waltzes to ragtime, including works from the ragtime era and Christoph's own compositions.
Festival Finale Sunday, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Martinique The Festival Finale’s theme this year is “A Toast To West Coast” in celebration of West Coast Ragtime Society’s 25th anniversary! Come hear highlights of the festival all in one show for the last special concert of the festival. In a variety show format, the show features many festival performers including: Jeff Barnhart, Tom Bopp, Nan Bostick, Tom Brier, Cali-Co Ragtime Quartet, Crown Syncopators, Richard Dowling, Phillip Dyson, Ann Gibson, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Ivory & Gold Trio, Vincent Johnson, Max Keenlyside, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Carl Sonny Leyland, Dave Majchrzak, Will Perkins, Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble, Ragnolia Ragtette, Raspberry Jam Band, Adam Swanson, John Reed Torres, Stephanie Trick, and Tex Wyndham. Emceed by Jeff Barnhart.
Post-Festival Party Sunday, 6:00 pm, Coffee Garden Restaurant One last chance to hear great ragtime! The hotel provides a buffet dinner and the bar is available. Seating capacity is limited, so buy your tickets ahead for this event to be assured a seat. Tickets will be on sale at Red Lion at the front desk and in the ragtime café during the festival weekend.

Friday's Schedule	Click on presenter's name for biographical information.
Performers Page	Click on the or buttons to view the set's location on the schedule