Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen

The Charlotte Folk Society will present Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen in concert at 7:30 PM on Friday, September 12, 2008 at the Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Avenue, in downtown Charlotte.

The one-hour concert opens the Folk Society's September Gathering. Refreshments, slow and fast jam sessions and a song circle will follow the concert. As well, the Charlotte Appalachian Dulcimer Club will meet. Folk Society monthly Gatherings are free and family-friendly. Donations are always appreciated. Free surface parking is available adjacent to the Great Aunt Stella Center (map here).

Full story, song samples and a YouTube video are here.

If you missed August's concert, check out our podcast of the Little and Flowers Family (it's the 3rd menu button at top of page).

The story of The Great Aunt Stella Center is here.

15th Annual Festival in the Park Folk Stage September 18-21 Sponsored by Becky Herring. The 44th Annual Festival in the Park begins at 6 PM on Thursday, September 18, and ends at 6 PM on Sunday, September 21. This free and family-friendly Charlotte arts festival takes place in the relaxed environment of Freedom Park, located in the Dilworth/ Myers Park area and accessible from East Boulevard, Park Road, and Princeton Avenue.

We are very pleased to have Becky Herring of Allen Tate Realtors joining us as a Folk Stage

Agent Becky Herring

sponsor. Agent Becky is a Charlotte real estate specialist serving South Charlotte and Union County, as well as Lake Wylie and Fort Mill. Please keep her in mind for buying or selling a home.

Full story is here.

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Until September 1 -- Half-Price Memberships. Each July/Aug we offer new and renewing members a chance to enjoy six months membership at half the usual cost. It's easy just visit the "Become a Member" link at the top of this page. If you use the mail-in form, choose your membership category and send us a check made out for the amount you see on the form; it's already been reduced. If you pay online with your credit card (secured payment via PayPal, but you can use your credit card), the prices have been reduced already.

You'll receive a monthly newsletter from now through December. We have a terrific lineup of performers for the 2008-2009 season representing the range of interests of our members. Join or renew now don't miss out!

If you have a question about your membership status, please contact Salem Macknee at smacknee@ charlotteobserver.com or 704-573-0864.

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The Violin Shoppe Donates Mandolin & Violin For Raffle. Proprietors Glen Alexander and Bob Anderson have presented us with a KM-505 Kentucky Artist Deluxe A-Model Mandolin and a Handcrafted Romanian Violin from Keith, Curtis, and Clifton. The suggested retail price of the mandolin, with hardshell case, is $595. The suggested retail price of the violin, with case and bow, is $1,195.

The instruments will be on display and raffle tickets will be available to purchase at Festival in the Park and our Gatherings during the next several months. Tickets can also be purchased online via the link that follows. Details of the raffle here.

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Please send photos. We invite folks who take photos at the Gatherings (or any other CFS events) to share those with us for posterity. Please send to photos@folksociety.org. We have started a page of various slideshows; see the link on the menu above titled "Slideshows". Thanks!

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