"Old Time Music Fete" July 27 at Cahokia Courthouse

CAHOKIA - A wide variety of traditional, acoustic music styles will be on tap Sunday, July 27 at Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site for the 17th annual Old Time Music Fete, which will feature bluegrass, country, gospel, folk, Americana and more acoustic favorites performed by musicians from all over the greater St. Louis region.

This event serves as a "musical rendezvous" for acoustic musicians of all types to get together to play for the public and engage in impromptu "jam sessions." The main stage is the south porch of the Cahokia Courthouse, a French Colonial structure built around 1740. In addition to the nonstop musical action on the porch stage, a large "jam area" will be located nearby where musicians of all ages and talent levels can play. Another section will be set aside for "Kids Stuff," a free chaperoned children's activity area where kids of all ages can take part in arts and crafts activities throughout the day.

From noon to 5 p.m., a variety of groups will entertain with acoustic acts to be showcased every 40 minutes. Taum Sauk, a riveting St. Louis group of nine artists who play fiddle, banjo, guitar, and harmonica, will open the show with featured talent performing the Star Spangled Banner on a musical saw. Other performers include: The quartet Country Folk, who hail from the Metro East area and are known in the region for their versatility and songwriting talents; audience favorite Roscoe Beano & the Beantones return to the porch with their distinctive blend of folky-jazz, focusing on guitar, bass and fiddles; last year's nine-member sensation, Dudley's Rush, will delight the audience again with bluegrass and old-time gospel selections as they perform on dobro, autoharp, fiddle and mandolin; and newcomers to the porch, Celtica, specialize in traditional Irish and Celtic tunes on fiddle, guitar and penny whistle.

The Thunder and Lightning Cloggers of Southern Illinois will return this year to present an old-time dance demonstration on the porch at 3 p.m. This high-energy Appalachian Mountain clogger exhibition troupe will perform fast-paced dances with lots of high-stepping and heel-kicking to all types of traditional music.

The Old Time Music Fete is free and open to the public, and visitors may come and enjoy the music or play their own acoustic favorites in the jam area. The official food vendor of the 2008 Music Fete, Knights of Columbus' Cahokia Club, will be offering a delicious selection from the grill. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. The Old Time Music Fete will be held rain or shine.

The program is hosted by the Fete du Bon Vieux Temps Committee and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The Fete is cosponsored by KDHX FM-88 and Pepsi-Co. This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Madison County Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Council - a State Agency.

To reach the Old Time Music Fete from St. Louis, take the Poplar Street Bridge to Illinois Route 3, then travel south approximately three miles to the intersection of Route 3 and Highway 157. Special signs will then guide visitors to the parking area near Cahokia Courthouse, which is one block south of the highway intersection.

For more information about the 17th annual Old Time Music Fete or Cahokia Courthouse, call (618) 332-1782. Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is open for free public tours.