Virtual ‘Waltz-A-Thon’

SHALL WE WALTZ?

Ashokan Center to Host Virtual ‘Waltz-A-Thon’ for Global Audience on Friday, March 4, from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Jay Ungar’s Civil War Piece ‘Ashokan Farewell’ to be Featured

A global audience is invited to tune in to join The Ashokan Center’s upcoming virtual Waltz-a-thon on March 4th (3/4, of course!). It can also be accessed through Ashokan’s Facebook page.

Ashokan Center CEO Jay Ungar and his wife and musical partner Molly Mason will host an exciting evening of dance, music, and fun, as participants waltz with friends from around the world in your own home (or anywhere!)

For some, waltzing to (or playing along to) a particular waltz has become an annual tradition, enjoyed at the summer’s end in the Catskills of NY. That waltz is Ashokan Farewell, known to PBS viewers as the theme of Ken Burns’ The Civil War. While the melody fit alongside period pieces in the documentary’s soundtrack, it was composed in 1982 by celebrated fiddler Jay Ungar after a summer of playing and dancing in the great outdoors at a music and nature learning campus now called the Ashokan Center.

They will share a curated selection of original waltz performances from friends and fellow musicians around the world including regional styles such as Cajun waltzes, New England style, original songs, cowboy style “waltz across Texas,” and a French Muset. Jay and Molly will host the concert live from their living room, sharing news of the event’s fundraising goals, and regaling us with news from the Ashokan Center and the stories behind the music.

Donations will support the Ashokan Music & Dance Camps at The Ashokan Center, an independent music and nature nonprofit whose mission is focused on welcoming local school groups for educational field trips, host public community events for music and dance camps, provide a venue for events, and more.

Learn more about the Ashokan Center and its fundraising concert here.