Tag: music event

Sat. October 14th, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m.
McBride Studio, 640 KS-177, Matfield Green, KS 66862

Returning for another year is HealthRHYTHMS empowerment drumming facilitator Mindy Graham. Mindy is hosting a Women’s Drum Circle on the day of the solar eclipse and will guide participants in the restorative practice of placing the music of the prairie on the drum as a pathway to recover and reconnect with their own innate rhythm, power and joy.

Women-identified people must be 16 years or older to participate. No musical experience is necessary, drums and rhythm instruments will be provided.

About the Presenter

Mindy is an RN, certified Healing Touch Practitioner, HealthRHYTHMS facilitator, and faith community nurse. Through Sparrow Song Healing Arts she facilitates drum circles, teaches and presents integrative healing practices, maintains a private practice in energy healing, and makes available a women’s solitary retreat venue, Sparrow House, in Matfield Green, Kansas. Mindy lives with the prairie east of Matfield Green, in Chase County, Kansas.

Sat. August 12th, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m.
McBride Studio, 640 KS-177, Matfield Green, KS 66862

A national performer and composer, musician Lem Sheppard will intersperse cowboy songs, blues and original songs with discussion of early Black settlement and music in the Flint Hills while accompanying himself on guitar. Sheppard has performed throughout the U.S., from the Kennedy Center to blues festivals, night clubs and schools. He has composed music for PBS and his own recordings. 

Going beyond the music, Sheppard’s scholarly research is a fount of African-American traditional music and folklore and is presented with energy and humor. He has pioneered research into the largely overlooked roles of Black Kansas musicians in community music in places like Dunlap, Osage City, Wamego, Manhattan, Eureka, El Dorado and Junction City. This research informs the conversation during his performance. 

There will be an informal gathering after the event at Diana Werts’ art studio (the old Hitchin Post bar at 201 S Reed) where we can continue the conversation, jam a little, and enjoy refreshments. Just drive to the south end of Matfield Green and park behind the dark red & metal building on the east side of the road.

Sat. August 5th, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m.
McBride Studio, 640 KS-177, Matfield Green, KS 66862

Bob Suckiel is a singer, guitarist, storyteller, and retired train engineer. He brings stories of life, work, hobos, and travel on the rails, singing in harmony with his wife, Diana Suckiel. Bob’s irrepressible spirit and booming baritone voice will put you in the mood for stories and songs, to the tune of the trains that roll through our town all day long. Bob worked on four different railroads, and has seen Matfield Green from the trains; he worked as a Gandy Dancer (section hand), a Snake (switchman), a Stinger (brakeman) a Captain (conductor) and a Hog Head (engineer). He and Diana played in the group “Rose Tattoo” with Utah Phillips, have hosted radio shows in Kansas City for at least 40 years, and were instrumental in the folk boom there in the ’70s.

There will be an informal gathering after the event at Diana Werts’ art studio (the old Hitchin Post bar at 201 S Reed) where we can continue the conversation, jam a little, and enjoy refreshments. Just drive to the south end of Matfield Green and park behind the dark red & metal building on the east side of the road.

Sat. July 22nd, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m.
McBride Studio, 640 KS-177, Matfield Green, KS 66862

After working for more than thirty years as a performer, recording artist and producer throughout the Midwest, Kelly Werts has retired to the town of Matfield Green. He loves playing traditional acoustic music with friends and neighbors, making occasional appearances around the area, and doing recording projects at his home studio.

This year’s third annual birthday jam will feature Kelly at the keyboard with special musical guests Diana Werts (accordion), Katherine Hamm (violin), and Carole Brown (bass). Kelly welcomes volunteers from the audience to jam on well-known old time tunes, and for those who don’t play an instrument, there will be singing as well, with song lyrics provided!