Friday, December 30, 2005
The banjo from Africa to America and beyond.
Frank H. Mc Clung Museum, Knoxville,TN, USA.
Our feature for the New Year is "The Banjo: From Africa to American and Beyond", opening January 14, 2006.The exhibition concentrates on the origins and early history of the banjo. Fascinating examples of African gourd instruments and replicas of American gourd banjos (only one example from the early 1800's is known) illustrate the banjo's early history. Broadsides, music, toys and a wide variety of 19th century banjos reveal the Minstrel Era and the fine, fancy and beautifully crafted banjos of late Victorian times testify to their popularity among all classes. Banjos from the Appalachians, some of unique design, will delight all.
The curator of this informative and entertaining exhibition is Knoxvillian Matt Morelock.
Sponsors include First Tennessee Foundation, Tennessee National Alumni Association, Lucille S. Thompson Family Foundation, UT Office of the Chancellor, and the State of Tennessee. Performances will be scheduled at several times during the venue of the exhibit. While the schedule is not finalized at the time of writing, a special presentation is scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2 pm at the Museum. "The Birth of the Banjo" will feature Ulf Jägfors, specialist on West African banjo predecessors and Pete Ross, historian and gourd banjo maker. The program is free and open to the public.
Go to http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/newcalendar/index.html for more information.
