Highlights from the Rusty Pick Up String Band Residency

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November was a busy month for us here at the Newport String Project! In collaboration with Common Fence Music, the Newport String Project hosted "Roll Up the Rug - an old time family dance workshop" presented by the Rusty Pick Up String Band. Roll Up the Rug

To kick-off the fiddling proceedings, the young violin and viola students of the Newport String Project gave a rousing rendition of the Chicken Reel.

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It was a proud moment for the young musicians - made all the sweeter for their teachers by the discovery of this anonymous note after the event was over! (We have it on good authority that the viola students are equally as proud!)

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This was followed by a fabulously energetic workshop of foot-stompin', toe-tappin', handclappin' fun, led by master caller Jim Hicks, with music by Newport String Project director EmmaLee on violin, the endlessly energetic Peggy Holmes on keyboard and Common Fence's own Tom Perrotti on guitar.

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And for some footage of the fancy footwork, click here to watch perennial favorite Seven Jumps!

If you missed the workshop this time around, fear not - the Rustys will be back on February 15th for another Community Dance at Emmanuel!