The Geneva Historical Society's 2016 Fall Lecture Series continues with a program on the history of traditional music and dance in the Finger Lakes area. In conjunction with the Society's city-wide exhibit Music in the Key of Geneva, James Kimball, accompanied by Karen Canning, will present "Old-Time Music and Dance in and Around Geneva" on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Geneva History Museum.

In this program, Jim Kimball will explore the roots of the Finger Lakes area's 19th- and early 20th-century traditional music using sources such as early newspapers and diaries. He will focus particularly on instrumental and local dance music, including that of the square and contra dance traditions. He will also discuss various area bands and singing groups, minstrelsy, African-American musicians and traditions, and music in political campaigns. Folklorist and musician Karen Canning will join Kimball in playing music and presenting the program.

Jim Kimball teaches music history, world music and folklore, and directs the Geneseo String Band in the Music Department at the State University at Geneseo.  He plays several traditional instruments, including fiddle, button accordion and concertina, calls square dances, and frequently lectures and presents papers on many musical subjects.  Jim has collected tunes and stories from several old time musicians and callers and written articles and presented at folk arts and museum venues.  He performs regularly at the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown and the Genesee Country Museum in Mumford, New York, where he specializes in 19th-century popular and folk music traditions.

Karen Canning documents, programs and presents folklore events for Livingston, Wyoming, Genesee and Orleans Counties.  She is also active as a musician, in many venues, and teaches strings at the Geneseo Central School.

The lecture series will continue on November 7 with the presentation "Music in the Key of Geneva" by John Marks and Kelly Walker.

This program is supported in part by the Samuel B. Williams Fund for Programs in the Humanities. For more information about the lecture, call the Geneva Historical Society office at 315-789-5151. The Geneva History Museum is located in the Prouty-Chew House at 543 South Main Street, Geneva, NY. Parking is on the street or in the Trinity Episcopal Church lot across the street.