West Coast Ragtime Society
30th Annual Ragtime Festival
November 18-20, 2016
This page updated
11/13/2016

OUR THIRD YEAR AT THE MARRIOTT
And we're loving it! Attendees and performers alike are giving the new digs thumbs up. It’s beginning to feel like home. The Marriott has again made improvements to further enhance your festival experience. And the Society, as you’ve come to expect, has once again put together a fantastic performer lineup, special shows, seminars, and dancing. Make your room reservations and order your badges early to take advantage of the discounted prices and start planning for another terrific ragtime festival.

 QUICK LINKS

Festival Location: Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
11211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova, California 95742
The Marriott is about 15 miles east of Sacramento, just off Hwy 50
at the Sunrise Blvd exit. It's about a 20-minute drive. See the Official Festival Hotel page for more detailed directions, or use the Google map to the right.

You do not need to be a guest of the hotel to attend the festival. Everyone is welcome. You only need to register at the Festival Registration desk or pre-register online for one or more days.

A Little Fanfare The Society produces the world's premiere annual ragtime festival in Sacramento area (Rancho Cordova), the ragtime capital of the world! There's lots and lots of great music from the finest musicians and groups from the U.S. and other countries, spread over three days in convenient multiple venues, including dancing, all at a very reasonable price. This well-managed festival can proudly state that no other festival offers such a terrific program!

Expect A Great Time At The Festival  Don't expect to wait around to hear ragtime! It begins Friday at noon and goes until 11 PM and continues Saturday from 9 AM to 11 PM and Sunday from 9 AM until 5 PM. And you can expect after-hours Ragtime Friday and Saturday nights from 11 PM to, well, let's say late.

We have six venues all on the ground floor level, which run simultaneously, almost nonstop throughout the three days of the festival. They do close for short periods on a rotating schedule for piano tuning and room setup. There are Ragtime Stores where you can purchase our performers' music and recordings, as well as vintage clothing and accessories.

Festival Volunteers: The festival would not be possible without our volunteers. Volunteers, in exchange for their time, can attend performances and special shows during their off-hours. To volunteer or for information click here to send an email to the Volunteer Coordinator, or send a mail request to:

West Coast Ragtime Society, Volunteers, P. O. Box 13346, Sacramento, CA 95813-3346

Last Year's Festival:  For an idea of West Coast Ragtime Festival, be sure to check information (e.g., performers, schedule, etc) on last year's Festival.

2016 Performers

Individual Performers: Elliott Adams, Paolo Alderighi, Clint Baker, Tom Barnebey, Jeff Barnhart, Andrew Barrett, Mimi Blais, Tom Bopp, The Bradshaws, Tom Brier, Danny Coots, Kylan DeGhetaldi, Richard Dowling, Marty Eggers, Andrew Greene, Dale Hadley, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Vincent Johnson, Max Keenlyside, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Carl Sonny Leyland, Frank LiVolsi, Jonathan Meredith, Larisa Migachyov, Max Morath, Ezequiel Pallejá, Will Perkins, John Reed-Torres, David Thomas Roberts, Jack Rummel, Sean Sharp, David Shepard, Patrick Skiffington, Adam Swanson, Virginia Tichenor, Stephanie Trick

Youth Performers: Ramona Baker, Diego Bustamante, Michael Chisholm, Florian Krüger, Daniel Souvigny, Alethea Sung-Miller, Ryan Wishner

Groups: Big Mamma Sue & Fast Eddie, Ivory&Gold®, Raspberry Jam Band, Porcupines, Sullivans/Drivons, Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra

Seminar Presenters:Max Morath, Ramona Baker, Richard Dowling, Andrew Greene, and Jack Rummel

Dance Instructor: Richard Duree, Stan Isaacs, (check back)
Accompanists: Stanley Stern (piano), and Mario Ojeda (violin)

Theme Sets & Special Shows: The festival includes many "themed" performances that cover particular aspects of ragtime and related music. There are also special shows that are more theatrical or involve the attendees, for example, the Festival Sampler and the Grand March. Check back later for a list of these events.

Pre Festival Dance: The Crown Syncopators will peform at a Pre-Festival Dance event at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 467 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667. Admission is $20. You can order tickets online.

Pre Festival Warm-up: We will again have a free, no-host pre-festival warm-up beginning at 7:30 PM on Thursday evening November 17, 2016. There is no charge or badges required. Pianos will be provided.  It is open to all:  ragtime fans, the merely curious, musicians (of course),  and passers by.

Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting of the Ragtime Society will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 8:30 AM Folsom room. There will be an election of individual 2016 Directorships. Voting is by WCRS members only.

Dance Instruction  Dance instruction is held on all three days of the Festival. 

Note: Please check the dance times when you arrive as they may be different than listed below.

Friday: 11/18
1:30 - 2:00 Bruce (Basic One-Step)
2:00 - 2:30 Stan (Fox Trot)
2:30 - 3:00 Richard (Intermediate One-Step)
5:00 - 5:30 Stan (Waltz)
5:30 - 6:00 Richard (Intermediate One-Step)
6:00 - 6:30 Bruce (Cake Walk & Schottische)

Saturday: 11/19
10:00 - 10:30 Richard (Intermediate One-Step)
10:30 - 11:00 Bruce (Fox Trot)
11:00 - 11:30 Stan (Tango)
4:00 - 4:30 Bruce (One-Step Variations)
4:30 - 5:00 Stan (Two-Step)
5:00 - 5:30 Richard (Intermediate One-Step)

Sunday: 11/20
11:00 - 12:00 “Ragtime Dance Party” with Richard, Stand & Bruce

Open Piano  Open piano will be held throughout the Festival. Open Piano is a chance for ANYONE to get up and play-even if you only know one number!  To sign up, see the MC, who will take your name, tell you when it's your turn to play, and introduce you. The open piano schedule will appear here and in the festival program.

Do you know whose hands are these?


Ragtime Stores: Visit the Ragtime Stores in the Santa Rosa Room and the Boardroom for all your ragtime music and apparel needs. Performers’ recordings, folios, vintage clothing and more are available. Click here for details.

After Hours: After hour sessions, another festival tradition,  are held Friday and Saturday from 11 PM till the wee hours. All are welcome to play and socialize, with the only "rule" being to yield the stage after a reasonable time if someone else is waiting for a chance to play.

Post-Festival Party and Dinner:
Sunday, 5:30 pm, Rancho Cordova Room
One last chance to hear great ragtime! The hotel provides a plated 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 the festival registration desk during the festival weekend.

More Information: If you haven't found the festival information you were looking for, click here to email a request for Festival Information, You contact us by phone; the Sacramento area number is (916) 457-3324 or you may call toll-free at 1-866-724-9273. To contact us by postal mail, click here for the address on the Contact Us page.

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