West Coast Ragtime Society
32nd Annual Ragtime Festival
November 16-18, 2018
This page updated 11/12/2018

OUR FIFTH 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. Order your badges early to take advantage of the discounted prices and start planning for another terrific ragtime festival.

 QUICK LINKS
Check out the
Complete Festival Program

 
Are you you registered at at the Marriott?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! - PLEASE READ
Due to the devastating fires in nearby Paradise, CA, the Marriott has taken in residents from Atria Senior Living from Paradise, CA who had to evacuate quickly last Thursday, Nov. 8th due to the Camp Fire. The Marriott informed West Coast Ragtime Festival organizers of this situation because these residents from Atria need 50 of the hotel rooms that were set aside for West Coast Ragtime Festival attendees. So that the Atria residents do not have to be displaced again, the Marriott has asked West Coast if we could relocate 50 of our hotel rooms to the nearby Doubletree. If you currently have a reservation for the festival at Marriott and are willing to move to the Doubletree, the Marriott will pay for one of your room nights at the Doubletree and also provide a shuttling service between the hotels. The walking distance is about 3 minutes from the lobby of the Doubletree to the lobby of the Marriott.
If you are willing to relocate to the Doubletree,
please call Zach Horch of the Marriott at (916) 861-2211.
 

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, PO 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.

2018 Performers

Individual Performers (so far): Elliott Adams, Paulo Alderighi, Jeff Barnhart, Mimi Blais, Danny Coots, Neville Dickie, Richard Dowling, Marty Eggers, Lisa Gonick, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Ethan Leinwand, Carl Sonny Leyland, Larisa Migachyov, Ezequiel Pallejá, Adam Swanson, Virginia Tichenor, Matt Tolentino, Stephanie Trick.
See the Performers link on the right-side menu for a complete list with biographical information and more.

Youth Performers: Jade Anderson, Ramona Sidney Baker, Diego Bustamante, Anthony Sarginson, Ryan Wishner

Groups: Big Mama Sue & Fast Eddie, Buffalo Crossing, Ivory&Gold, The Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, The Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble, Ragnolia Ragtette, Sullivans & Drivons

Seminar Presenters: Michael Chisholm, Frederick Hodges, Ethan Leinward, Jack Rummel, Matt Tolentino

Dance Instructors: Bruce Mitchell, Richard Duree, Stan Isaacs
Accompanists: Stanley Stern, Mario Ojeda
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.

Among the themed sets this year is a tribute to the ragtime music played aboard the R.M.S. Titanic. The theatrical production Titanic: A Musical Journey focuses on the poignant relationship between Theodore Brailey, Titanic's pianist (played by Adam Swanson) and Mrs. Helen Churchill Candee, a colorful first-class passenger (played by Barbara Chronowksi, who appeared in the movie Titanic).

"Members of the audience are encouraged to sing along as if they're passengers on the Titanic so they can get a feel for what life was like on board before the fatal encounter with the iceberg," says Chronowski. "It is the authentic music played aboard the Titanic that transports the audience on this special journey."

Titanic: A Musical Journey will be performed on Friday, November 16th at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, November 17th at 3:00 p.m. in the main ballroom.

Also on Friday evening, Frederick Hodges will provide live accompaniment to the silent films Shanghaied (1915) starring Charlie Chaplin, and Habeas Corpus (1928) starring Laurel and Hardy.
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: 11/16
To be determined.
Saturday: 11/17
To be determined.
Sunday: 11/18
To be determined.
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 in the festival program and full schedule when available.

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.

After Hours: After-hours 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 number is (916) 457-3324. To contact us by postal mail, click here for the address on the Contact Us page.
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