In our ongoing series of day-long workshops promoting the traditional performing arts of Newfoundland and Labrador, we're ecstatic to have piano accordion master Ray Walsh, and his talented son, multi-instrumentalist Greg Walsh, facilitate this workshop!!

Ray and Greg will introduce you to the songs and tunes that have been passed on to them through generations of singers and players in Bay de Verde. In addition to performing these pieces and talking about their connection to the music, Ray and Greg will teach you some tunes and songs, and send you home with a CD of Bay de Verde repertoire that you can learn at your leisure.

DATE:      SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2004

PLACE:   MASONIC TEMPLE, CATHEDRAL ST.

TIME:       10:00 am to 4:00 pm (with a break for lunch)

COST:      Adults $30; Seniors, Students and Youth $20

For those of you who have registered for the Tune Repertoire Workshop, we will give you a 50% discount for the Bay de Verde workshop (adults $15; youth/seniors $10).

There is no age limit on St. John's Folk Arts Council Workshops, but all participants must supply their own instrument and should be able to play at least one tune. If you play the accordion, please indicate what key your instrument is in when you register.

Ray Walsh: Ray has been playing music ever since he was able. As a child in Bay De Verde, Ray was surrounded by music and was particularly influenced by his mother Bride, and his father Edward (Ned), who was an accomplished fiddler. During the 60's and 70's, Ray became one of Newfoundland's first television celebrities, appearing on CBC's nationally syndicated show All Around The Circle. After the show ended in the mid 1970's, Ray moved back to Bay-De-Verde with his wife Evelyn and their three children, and taught in St. Joseph's Central High School where he eventually retired as principle in the 1990's. Ray is still very active musically, and performs at many different events throughout the province as both a solo artist, and with the RAY WALSH FAMILY BAND. He now resides in St. John's where he continues his musical career, and keeps a watchful eye on his four grandchildren.

Greg Walsh: The only son of Ray and Evelyn, Greg has been playing music since he was a young child. Starting with a drum set many years ago, Greg became a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and accordion. In addition to playing a thousand instruments, Greg is also a tremendous singer! He is a mild mannered archivist working with the Newfoundland Provincial Archives by day, and by night, he becomes one of St. John's best known traditional artists, lending his musical talents to many other bands, including THE NAVIGATORS, and THE RAY WALSH FAMILY BAND.