Drums, ballet, nymphs: Music Mountain’s Family Festival

FALLS VILLAGE —  With temperatures creeping into the upper reaches, it was a perfect time to be outside on the top of a cool mountain, and a perfect day to enjoy the Family Festival at Music Mountain on Saturday, Aug. 15. The annual event allows families to come, for no fee, to the concert venue and enjoy a variety of activities and performances.

Music Mountain President Nick Gordon and his friendly canine, Boulder, were on hand to greet children and visit with  Marshall Miles, who was broadcasting live for the Northwest Corner’s National Public Radio station, 91.9FM-WHDD (robinhoodradio.com).

Costumed players from the Mortal Beasts and Deities walked — stalked? stilted? — through the crowd. Mark Alexander greeted one little girl from above with a cheery, “Don’t you look peachy today!â€

Dr. John Truman, a retired pediatrician, played the bagpipes. Phoebe the Flower Nymph from Mortal Beasts (this character was performed throughout the day by Anna Clune and Kelly Austin) added an air of surreal mystery and wonder as she wandered through the crowd.

Grammy Award-nominated Native American musician Joseph Firecrow of Winsted played inside Gordon Hall, and a dance recital was held on the new deck that now adjoins the 80-year-old concert venue.

There were several classes for children and parents; Joe Brien of Falls Village ran a handpuppet workshop.

Food and drink was provided by volunteers from the fire and ambulance departments.

And a percussion group called the Off Beats got everyone from the stilt dancers to the youngest children moving in rhythm.

This is Music Mountain’s 80th anniversary, and the concert Sunday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m. will be a re-creation of Music Mountain’s first concert on Aug. 22, 1930. The Shanghai String Quartet and pianist Juana Zayes will perform pieces by Beethoven, Ravel and Schumann. A reception follows the concert.

See musicmountain.org for ticket information.

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