KateFest! Sunday, April 13, 2025, 2-6pm, Hamilton, ON
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MUSIC AND DANCE WORKSHOPS
Celebrating the life and legacy of Kate Murphy.
Are you interested in learning some Ontario step-dancing, fiddle, clawhammer banjo or back-up piano (for fiddling)? These were the things that Kate loved. Since her passing in 2021, a committee of her friends and family have raised funds in her honour to encourage others to get involved in these wonderful traditions.
Please join us Sunday April 13 in Hamilton for an afternoon of workshops and a post-workshop gathering to share songs, tunes and stories. We encourage all ages to attend. This event is entirely by donation, no questions asked. Donate Here! You will have to have your own instruments.
WHERE: Defining Movement Dance, 624 Upper James St., Hamilton, Ontario
WHEN: Sunday April 13, 2-6pm. Arrive 2pm, Workshops 2:30-4pm
(yes, you will have to choose only one!). Gathering 4:15 – 5:30 ish.
REGISTRATION HERE!
Instructors and levels
Four classes will occur concurrently:
Laurie Cumming
Mulligan Waltz Stepdance – Beginner to Novice Level – Instructor Laurie Cumming
Kate Murphy enthusiastically shared her love of step dance with many people over the years. As my mentor, Kate taught me a few of the routines danced by her performing group, The Mulligan Dancers. This unflashy but oh-so-satisfying step dance can be enjoyed by all, with or without stepping experience. Hard-soled shoes are traditional, however no special footwear is required.
Clawhammer Banjo – all levels Novice to Advanced- Sam Allison
Sam Allison will facilitate an open workshop which will include instructions for multiple levels of student; at the intermediate level, we will explore alternate chord inversions and melody treatment for a common tune to be learned by all participants. At the intermediate/advanced level we will learn methods for advanced melody playing and comping methods including vamp patterns and drop-thumb melody treatment. If there are total beginners in the group, we can facilitate them as part of the integrated workshop.
Piano Accompaniment – all levels from Novice to Advanced – Emilyn Stam
Everyone will work on the same tune and Emilyn will provide each learner techniques/chord patterns for where they were at. Please bring headphones or earbuds for your piano.
Fiddle – Level 3/Intermediate – Level 4/Advanced- Dan MacDonald
Learn Cape Breton tunes and Irish tunes, exploring how they can complement each other. Learning by ear and ornamentation.
ABOUT KATE
Kate Murphy was a musician, step-dancer, singer and, in later years, a songwriter. She introduced many people to multiple forms of traditional music and dance on clawhammer banjo, hammered dulcimer, as the piano “time-meister” of many contra and square dance bands, as part of ensembles like Muddy York, the Dawnbreakers, Murphy’s Law and as one of the members of The Mulligan Dancers. She also became a true friend and supporter to an older generation of musicians in Canada, fiddlers like Tommy McQueston and Carl Grexton, warming their later years. She truly embodies what AlgomaTrad is all about.
Kate passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021. Many friends and family members came together to create a bursary fund in her honour to encourage people to learn the traditions she loved so well. The bursary will be supported by fundraising events, and will go towards supporting workshops throughout the year, possibly individual lessons, instrument rentals, subsidies for people to go to Algoma trad, whatever seems in keeping with her indomitable spirit.
