Riverfolk announces Cultural Art Strings registration and fund-raiser

Fall Registration for the Cultural Art Strings program, part of the Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization, is open on Eventbrite.com from Aug 12-23. A $25 discount is available to anyone who registers by this Friday, August 23. (One discount per family). 

New this year, Chamber Music Ensembles are returning! Speak to a teacher to sign up for this option. In addition, Beginning Violin and Guitar Group Classes are open for up to six students. These 7-week sessions cost $100 and are open to beginners, ages 5-9, only.

Faculty Updates: Mr. Daniel Winnick recently returned from a “Teaching The Violin To Children” workshop at the String Academy of Wisconsin. Mr. Jacob Warren has recently been appointed Strings Coordinator for CAS, and will be responsible for coordinating recruitment, and outreach, as well as communication with parents and community partners. Ms. Aileen Rohwer is taking a year off from teaching cello and CAS Administration to focus on her family needs and assisting with grant-writing for Riverfolk. Mr. Zachary Brown has been appointed to take over studio and quartets in both Manchester and Ann Arbor. Zachary recently earned a Masters Degree in Cello Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. He is also the cellist from Westbound Situation. He has more than seven years’ teaching experience, most recently at the Larchmont Music Academy.

To acknowledge these transitions, there will be a CAS open house/Meet and Greet from 10:30-11:30 am on Saturday, Aug. 31 at the KJ House in Manchester (302 E. Main Street). Mr. Brown will plan on performing, demonstrating a sample lesson, and talking with parents and students. 

Riverfolk has some big news of its own! On August 31, a very special fund-raiser at Manchester’s famed Alber Orchard, will begin at 4 pm. This music and arts event is open to the public and we hope you will all be able to attend! CAS students will perform from 5-6 pm; Westbound Situation will play at 6:15 pm; Steamboat will appear at 7:30 pm; and Joe Hall and the Cane Cutters will rock the house from 8-9:30 pm. Admission to Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters is a suggested donation of $10 per person. Food will be available for purchase, provided by Fresh Forage, voted the “best healthy restaurant in Ann Arbor.” A cash bar will also be available, thanks to the Moveable Feast of Manchester.

Join us for delicious food, live music, dancing, and a silent auction featuring works by local artists. All proceeds will benefit Riverfolk Music & Arts programs. And watch for the announcements of this fall and winter’s program of Blacksmith Shop Concerts!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.