Ragtime Street Fair

July 14-15, 2012 (Open Saturday 'til 9pm)

The most festive weekend of Greenfield Village’s summer schedule.
Savor an American original – Ragtime music. You’ll hear Scott Joplin rags like “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” But there’s much, much more as scores of other musicians travel from all over the country to perform on multiple stages throughout Greenfield Village. It’s syncopated, jazzy, hot and live. Fresh summer food, too, and dancing in the streets. And we’re open 'til 9 on Saturday… Show more night.

sample activities
A weekend-long celebration of the Ragtime era of the early 20th century.

Dance demo & instruction: Learn to dance some ragtime era steps, then watch a professional duo dance some of the more intricate steps.

Ragtime food vendors: Wonderful foods of the era from regional farmers and producers prepared fresh, as you watch, by The Henry Ford chefs.

Ragtime piano: Listen to accomplished ragtime pianists celebrate the glory days of ragtime. Performances by Taslimah Bey (both days), "Perfessor" Bill Edwards (both days), Nan Bostick (both days), John Remmers (both days), Bill Meyer (Saturday), Daniel J. McCarthy (Sun.), Brent Beggs (both days) and Jerry Perrine (both days).

Performances by: River Raisin Ragtime Revue (Sat. evening & Sun. afternoon), and Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band (both days, plus Sat. evening).

Detroit’s Ragtime Legacy: Don’t miss this fascinating multi-media program presented by Nan Bostick, one of the nation’s leading ragtime experts. (Sun.)

Women in Ragtime: Enjoy this high-energy multi-media presentation with Nan Bostick and Taslimah Bey. (Sat.)

"Simply Broadway": Celebrate the golden age of Broadway in this lively 30-minute music and comedy revue.

Phonograph and player piano demonstrations

Silent film: "Lizzies of the Field" -- Don't miss this classic 13-minute Mack Sennett slapstick comedy with live piano accompaniment.

Song Plugger: Meet Nan Bostick and “Perfessor” Bill Edwards, ragtime historians and our ragtime song pluggers who will perform some of the biggest hits of the early 20th century.

Piano Cutting Contest: Pianists show off their talent in a high-energy musical contest (Saturday only).

Cake Walk: Join in on the fun of this once popular fair activity. You might even take the cake!

Saturday evening includes:
River Raisin Ragtime Revue concert at 7pm
Dixieland Jazz Parade: Ragtime's end and the birth of jazz will be acknowledged by this Dixieland-style parade around the Village Green and down Main Street led by the Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band.

pricing
All activities are free with Village admission.

MEMBERS free of charge
NON-MEMBER SENIORS age 62 & up, $22
ADULTS age 13-61, $24
YOUTH age 5-12, $17.50
CHILDREN 4 & under are free.

Parking is $5 per vehicle.

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