MCTA Presents Free Friday Afternoon Summer Concert Series for Children and Families

Jun 7, 2023 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University’s Mountain City Traditional Arts will host a free Friday afternoon Summer Concert Series for children and families. Events kick off on June 23 and run through Aug. 4. All events will take place at 1 p.m. 

The acoustic vocal group, Snowday, starts the fun on June 23. An a cappella and vocal music group based out of Montgomery County, Md., the group has toured the U.S. and performed internationally. Collectively, group members use vocal music to explore some of the challenges of growing up, including friendship, self-esteem and finding confidence. 

On June 30, the Appalachian folk group, the Hominy Mamas, travel all the way from East Tennessee to use stories and songs to weave together an interactive performance. Multi-instrumentalists, the musical duo plays everything from guitar and banjo to washboard and kazoo. 

Hip hop artist and educator Jamaal Collier – or “Mr. Root” – will perform on July 7. By incorporating rapping and vocal percussion with a dynamic stage presence, “Mr. Root” introduces children to the art of rapping, performance poetry, free styling, beatboxing and lyrical exercises for an afternoon of creative fun. 

The Grammy-winning duo Cathy and Marcy will play on July 14. Cathy and Marcy are trailblazers in children’s music and have been connecting families through music for decades. The acclaimed duo delivers a show that is fun, wacky, energetic, participatory and meaningful. From an air guitar band to yodeling lessons and singable tongue twisters, their shows bring families together and allow kids to have fun and learn at the same time. 

On July 21, the Grammy-nominated duo Milkshake comes to the stage. Milkshake makes original music kids can call their own, exploring topics kids care about, from pretend play to the social ups and downs of friends and bullies. The duo’s highly interactive live appearances inspire joy, as the kids learn through music and rhyme as part of the band. Milkshake has released five award-winning albums, a DVD and a comic book. Their music videos have graced kid-friendly TV channels PBS KIDS, Nick Jr. and the Emmy award-winning ToddWorld cartoon. 

Storyteller Diane Macklin takes the stage on July 28. Sharing traditional stories from Africa and the U.S., Macklin seasons her stories with rhythm, sounds and movement, engaging listeners of all ages. As a performer, certified educator and teaching artist, Macklin believes in “making a difference, one story at a time.” 

Slim Harrison closes out the summer series on Aug. 4. A favorite of the FSU Appalachian Festival, Harrison explores the roots of American folk music, teaching children about the many cultures that brought different flavors to the American musical gumbo. His interactive program provides children the opportunity to join the Sunnyland Band and play along on spoons, jugs, washboards, stumpf fiddles, African tambourines, Cajun frottoirs and more. 

Located at 25 E. Main St. in Frostburg, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of FSU and a founding member of Maryland’s Folklife Network. It receives support from the Maryland Traditions Program of the State Arts Council. 

For more information, call 301-687-8040.