On this Thursday's Central Standard, ragtime music and one of its earliest composers, Scott Joplin. A man of mystery, Joplin moved from place to place but left his heart in Sedalia, Missouri. This is where he wrote his famous Maple Leaf Rag, which was the first piece of sheet music to sell over one million copies.
So what makes Joplin relevant today? The Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival in Sedalia seeks to answer that question: their mission is "to promote an understanding and appreciation of ragtime music, preserve Joplin's contribution to that genre, and the important role Sedalia played in the development of both."
Joplin reportedly got his musical education by playing the piano in the white home his mother worked in, and went on to be in a minstrel troupe in Texarkana, play in Chicago during the World's Fair, and to come back to Sedalia to work on his music and inspire other ragtime greats like Scott Hayden and Arthur Marshall. Joplin wasn't only satisfied with one genre, however. He took it upon himself to start penning operas and more classical tunes, including an opera entitled Treemonisha, based on his early childhood and as a tribute to his mother.
Joplin's influence has lasted through revivals of ragtime popularity, particularly in the 1970s.
The festival runs June 6-9th in Sedalia with a variety of free and paid shows, lessons, and lectures.
GUESTS:
Stacy Purvis, Scott Joplin Foundation
FESTIVAL EVENTS:
Wednesday, June 6th
10am - 4pm Performances at State Fair Community College, Stauffacher Center*
2pm Kick-off concert, Stauffacher Center*, "Get Set, Get Ready, Let's Go"
8pm Entertainer Concert, Stauffacher Center*, "Ragtime to Boogie"
Thursday, June 7th
9am - 12pm Symposiums at United Methodist Church ($5 per person)
9am - 4pm Performances at Maple Leaf Club Site*
10am - 5pm Performances at John Stark Pavilion*
10am - 3pm Performances at Gazebo Park*
11am - 4pm Dance lessons in Cake Walk Hall*
11am - 2pm Daily open piano times at United Methodist Church*
2pm Ragtime Revelations Concert at United Methodist Church
5pm - 7pm Donor Party at Kathy Depot8pm The Easy Winners Concert at Stauffacher Center
Friday, June 8th
9am - 12pm Symposiums at United Methodist Church ($5 per person)
9am - 4pm Performances at Maple Leaf Club Site*
10am - 5pm Performances at John Stark Pavilion*
10am - 3pm Performances at Gazebo Park*
11am - 4pm Dance lessons in Cake Walk Hall*
11am - 2pm Daily open piano times at United Methodist Church*
2pm Pleasant Moments Concert at United Methodist Church5pm - 7pm Party at the Pavilion at John Stark Pavilion7pm The Ragtime Ball at Nostalgia Vintage Apparel8pm Cradle of Ragtime Concert at Stauffacher Theater
Saturday, June 9:
9am Turn of the Century Fashion Show at Cake Walk Hall*
9am Master Class at United Methodist Church
9am - 4pm Performances at Maple Leaf Club Site*
10am - 2pm Swap Meet at Courthouse Lobby10am - 5pm Performances at John Stark Pavilion*
10am - 3pm Performances at Gazebo Park*
10:30am Parade from Maple Leaf Clubto John Stark Pavilion,
Award Ceremony afterwards*
11am - 4pm Dance lessons in Cake Walk Hall*
11am - 2pm Daily open piano times at United Methodist Church*
2pm Legacy of Joplin Concert at United Methodist Church
5pm - 7pm Ragtime Angel's Party at Nostalgia Vintage Apparel8pm Music Hall Concert at Heckart Performing Arts Center
*Event free of charge
MUSIC FOR DOWNLOAD:
You can listen online or download the album Frog Legs: Ragtime Era Favoritesfrom the Free Music Archive.
