Message from FOOTMAD board of directors
2020 April 19
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Fresh off an online meeting, FOOTMAD board members wish you health and safety as we navigate these uncharted waters of COVID-19. Despite the uncertainty, we stand flexible and prepared to resume our programming when it’s advisable to do so. The 2020-21 concert season, our 40th, has been planned and grants written. We will evaluate the viability of each event as conditions change with our audience's health and safety foremost in our minds. Dances will not restart until we determine it is safe to resume such close physical contact.

We are so grateful for the kindness everyone has shown, from the groups we have cancelled to the generosity of our sponsors to our audience understanding about our cancelled events. The pandemic has reminded us how amazing our FOOTMAD community and the traditional music and dance world are!

We are thinking about presenting virtual music offerings from our Facebook page and would like your thoughts about this. (Also,) If you have expertise in this area please let us know. The FOOTMAD phone number is being answered at 304 729-4382, so give us a call or email us at kvfootmad@gmail.com with your suggestions.

In the meanwhile, stay safe! We hope to see you soon!
See the Community Bulletin Board section below
For more information about cancellation of events in and around West Virginia. Such as: 
- Vandalia Gathering
- West Virginia State Folk Festival

Also the Community Event Calendar lists events and announced cancellations.
2019-2020 Concert Patron Survey

Helps us plan for our seasons to come. Take a short survey and tell us about your concert going experience and about concerts that you would like to see in the future. We appreciate your input!
Dance Ambassadors Needed
The following program has been temporarily suspended. However, if you are interested, please feel free to contact us to receive updates. 
Stay safe and healthy 
Would you enjoy being a "dance ambassador" to show people the type of dancing we do at our regular dances?

FOOTMAD has been asked to provide a dance demonstration for various events in the area.

We need at least 8 people in order to demonstrate a square and a contra dance. We plan to prepare a couple of simple dances ahead of time so that we are all familiar with the figures. We may also then invite audience members to join us on the dance floor. We hope to develop a roster of 12 to 16 people to call on for any given occasion.

This is not a precision dance team. We would not wear special outfits. It will reflect the casual fun that we have dancing together.
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In December some of us met at the new dance studio in Kanawha City, Riverside Hop, to work on skills in dancing and calling. We envision meeting once a month (maybe more if needed to get ready for the first event). The space is ideal for this activity.

If you are interested in joining us, our next meet up will be Thursday, January 30 (details below), please let Becky Park know.
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Questions? Call Becky Park at 304-729-4382, email kvfootmad@gmail.com or message on Facebook www.facebook.com/KVFOOTMAD/

Where: Riverside Hop dance studio 3706 MacCorkle Ave SE - see photo
Parking is available after hours at Barrack's Auto
When: Thursday, January 30, 6-8 pm
Who: Any competent dancers interested in building skills and willing to become dance ambassadors
Picture
Click image to enlarge it.
Old Time Music Street Jam at Artwalk

When: Too cold to play outside November and December! The Old Time Jam will resume during ArtWalk 2020 on March 19.
5 to 8 pm. (Every 3rd Thursday during ArtWalk 2020)
Where: Lee Street Triangle, corner of Capitol and Lee Streets, Charleston
What: Old-time jam session, acoustic music
​Who: All levels welcome. Come to play. Come to listen.
Photos FOOTMAD night at Charleston's Live on the Levee
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Bauman photos
​
Hot Jazz Jumpers, click here ...

Blue Yonder, click here ...
Picture
Click image to enlarge
FOOTMAD Receives 2019 Arts to the Max Award

The Charleston Area Alliance presented 14 awards during its annual “We Love Our Community Awards” event Thursday, March 28 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

FOOTMAD was honored to receive the Arts to the Max Award – Organization.  On hand to receive the award on behalf of FOOTMAD were Donna Graham (President), John Butterfield (Treasurer), Becky Park (Organization Manager), Tessa Dillon and Annie Stroud (board members). ​

Read more, click here ...

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Information about music and dance in and around the region
Vandalia Gathering 2020
Scheduled for 2020 May 22-24
CANCELLED!

More info ...
http://www.wvculture.org/vandalia/
facebook.com/vandaliagathering/

Posted: 2020-04-09
West Virginia State Folk Festival
Scheduled for 2020 June 18-20
CANCELLED!

This granddaddy of West Virginia festivals has announced the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the festival.  

"With a heavy heart, we write to inform you of our decision to postpone the 71st West Virginia State Folk Festival until June 17-20, 2021.
As we all know, our festival is much like a family reunion. It is one that promotes physical contact through dance, sharing and exchanging of crafts, and just good old-fashioned fellowship such as handshaking and hugging. ... We must do our part in social distancing so that we can indeed gather again soon! We are already looking forward to planning a big celebration for next year, so mark your calendars now!" - Megan Darby, Folk Festival President. Visit the festival's Facebook page for the full version of the cancellation notice. 

​More info ...
wvstatefolkfestival.com
facebook.com/wvstatefolkfestival/

Posted: 2020-04-09
Charleston Acoustic String Jam
Every Wed
CANCELLED until further notice.
​Visit the Facebook page for information when the jams will resume.

7:00 to 9:00  pm. 
​All welcome. Come to play. Come to listen. Come early (6 pm) and join the pre-jam dinner gathering of jam friends who each week meet to chew and chat. Sam's Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol St, Charleston.
​More info: Wednesday Acoustic String Jam event page on facebook.

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Community Rewards Program
Generate donations to FOOTMAD when you shop at a Krogers store. Easy, simple, automatic. No cost to you. Find out how to generate Kroger rewards ...
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​
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FOOTMAD appreciates Fund for the Arts major donors (10,000+) who keep culture strong in the Kanawha Valley:  City of Charleston, Cecil I Walker Charitable Trust, Daywood Foundation, Spilman Thomas Battle, PLLC.​
kvfootmad@gmail.com
304-729-4382
Update: 2020-05-15