Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a full array of February programming to help local residents beat the winter blues.  The venue is introducing new additions to its regular offerings -- including a monthly drum circle, hosting new classes and workshops, and presenting a February music performance featuring country and bluegrass duo Loretta Hummel and Robert Broadwater.

Starting this Friday, January 29 at 7 PM, a community Drum Circle joins the monthly lineup.  Attendees are encouraged to bring the rhythm instrument of their choice and join in the fun.  All levels of ability are welcome.

Next Friday, February 5, marks the venue’s next musical event, when area residents Loretta Hummel and Robert Broadwater take the MCTA stage at 7 PM to provide a free performance of their powerful blend of country, gospel, and bluegrass music.

Fiber arts continue to flourish at MCTA with weekly gatherings of spinners, rug hookers, and crochet and knitting enthusiasts.  And structured workshops in Rug Hooking and Needle Tatting are scheduled as part of February’s Sublime Saturday offerings.

February also marks the launch of a Mountain Herbalists Series featuring Mimi Hernandez, the newly hired coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies.  The series takes place every other Monday through the end of spring, focusing on wide range of topics.  “Mountain Roots,” the first in the series, examines the lore, traditions, and science behind the some of the Appalachian region’s most popular medicinal herbs.

Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH(AHG)  is an herbal educator whose courses balance traditional reverence with scientific understanding.  A clinical herbalist and Professional member of the American Herbalists Guild Mimi received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute.  With roots in Asheville, NC, Hernandez is the founder of the One World Healing Arts Institute.  She also draws upon her rich traditional background and the Granny healers in her life.  Her work is inspired by her belief that the handing down of plant wisdom is crucial to the world.

The full listing of Mountain City Traditional Arts February events is provided below.  Located at 25 East Main Street, Frostburg, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a partnership of Folklore & Folklife Programming at Frostburg State University, the Allegany Arts Council, and FrostburgFirst: A Main Street Community.  For more details about any of these sessions or for general questions about MCTA, call (301) 687-8040; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or look for the venue on Facebook.

Regularly scheduled offerings:

Tuesdays: Spinning with Fiber, an informal gathering of those interested in learning the fundamentals of spinning or perfecting their technique, meets Tuesday evenings Mountain City Traditional Arts at 7 PM.  As an informal gathering, artists Theo Ewers and Missy Martz will be on hand to provide encouragement and recommendations on technique and materials.  Participants are expected to provide their own supplies.

Tuesdays: Rug Hooking, inspired by two MCTA rug hooking workshops steered by Susan Fells of Ruckman Mill Farm in Augusta, WV, a small group of rug hooking enthusiasts are joining the Tuesday evening spinners at 7 PM to encourage each other as they develop and hone their skills.

Thursdays: Crochet & Knitting Gathering, Mountain City Traditional Arts will continue to host a Crochet and Knitting group on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 PM.  If you already know how to chain, work a single crochet or double crochet but can't understand those pesky patterns or have trouble figuring out what "increase evenly in round" means, come by for a quick explanation and help with an ongoing project.  Knitters are also welcome.  Carolyn Groves will lead these work sessions, lending a helping hand when needed.  Join us for a friendly session of stitching.  Bring along a project and join in the relaxed atmosphere of MCTA.  This is a great way to fight off the winter blahs and jump start your spring stitching.

Final Friday: Drum Circle, starting Friday, January 29th, Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a monthly Drum Circle on the last Friday of the month, at 7 PM.  Bring a rhythm instrument of your choice (it can be homemade) and a stool or rug; some chairs provided.  Be prepared to discover the rhythm in your life.

Special Events:

Mountain Music with a Country Flair -- by Loretta Hummel and Robert Broadwater, Friday, February 5, at 7 PM.  Longtime residents of Mountain Maryland, the pair has been delighting regional audiences for many years.  A resident near Frostburg, Hummel is a singer and acoustic songwriter who has recorded and released several albums.  She plays guitar and performs a variety of country, gospel, and bluegrass music in the tri-state area.  Loretta Hummel has performed at the Berlin Music Festival, Burlington Apple Festival, and FSU Appalachian Festival, to name just a few venues.  In 2008, she participated in the Country Gospel Music Association conventions in Branson, MO and Shippensburg, PA.  More recently, she headed back to Branson to perform there in Fall, 2009.  Fiddler Robert Broadwater, of Lonaconing, picked up the fiddle as an adolescent and has been playing as much as possible ever since.  Over the years, Robert has played in multiple bands and performed for numerous square dances and social events.  Admission is free, but donations are much appreciated and help to ensure continued offerings at Mountain City Traditional Arts.

Workshops:

Rug Hooking -- Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a Focus and Finish Rug Hooking Workshop, February 20 from 11- 4.  Bring your current rughooking project almost done or completed and be encouraged to put on the finishing touches by learning the variety of finishing steps.  Instructor Susan Feller will have visuals, and you can try any and all approaches on your own project.  Workshop fee: $15. Materials fee: TBD.  To register, please contact us in advance via email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone (301) 687-8040.

Needle Tatting -- Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a Needle Tatting Workshop on February 27, 10 AM - 4 PM.  Needle tatting produces the same stitch as shuttle tatting but is much easier to learn.  Traditional patterns such as doilies, edgings, and small motifs can be produced quickly with needle tatting.  The Beginning Needle Tatting is an introduction class led by Carolyn Groves of Frostburg, MD.  Participants will receive a kit including an instructional guide, set of 4 needles, 1 ball of size 10 thread.  Students should be able to produce an edging suitable for a hand towel.  Carolyn will bring samples of a variety of tatted items for show and tell.  Threads and books will be available for purchase.  Kit fee $25.  Workshop fee: $15.  Class is limited to 8.  To register, please contact us in advance via email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone (301) 687-8040.

Mountain Roots --The Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies in partnership with Mountain City Traditional Arts launches a Mountain Herbalist Series, with the presentation of Mountain Roots, Monday, February 22 at 6:30 PM.  Come and discover the lore, tradition, and science behind the uses of Appalachia's most popular native medicinal roots.  Find out about the virtues of Ginseng, Goldenseal, Solomon's seal, Sassafras, Yellowroot, and many more!  Learn how you can use some of these herbs to support your health.