ELKINS -- It's not just every week you can immerse yourself -- literally or figuratively -- in barbecue sauce.
But, you don't have to tell that to attendees of Augusta Heritage Center's summer educational program. In its second year, the six-day barbecue class has become one of the hotter offerings, according to Gordon Blackley, publicity coordinator.
"It's not just what you do in class," Blackley said, noting the craft classes that began the Augusta program and music classes are the true keynote programs.
"You're surrounded by other music maniacs and craft maniacs -- people who don't sleep."
More than 2,200 people from 47 states, four Canadian provinces and 12 foreign nations attended 1999 programming.
Registration is still open for a number of programs.
Theme music-instruction weeks begin today and continue until the end of October. They include: Guitar Week, today through Friday; Cajun/Creole Week, today through Friday; Blues Week, July 16-21; Swing Week, July 16-21; Irish Week, July 23-28; French Canadian Week, July 30-Aug. 4; Bluegrass Week, July 30-Aug. 4; Dance Week, July 30-Aug. 4; Old-time Week, Aug. 6-13; Vocal Week, Aug. 6-13 and October Old-time Week, Oct. 22-29.
Charges vary between $345 and $355 per week. Room and board is an additional $265-$275 per week. There is a $40 discount for West Virginia residents.
Weeklong specialty classes are also offered in the same price range.
They include: Today through Friday, Accordion Repair and Maintenance, Knitting and Designing Ganseys (sweaters), Pearl Inlay and Engraving, Pysanky (egg dying), Pottery (week one of two), Stained Glass, Clogging Intensive, Cajun Cooking, Cajun/Creole Dance, Cajun Culture and Language, Folk Arts for Kids ($305), Elderhostel, Bass (all styles), Old-time Banjo (intermediate and advanced), Old-time Fiddle and Hammered Dulcimer.
Specialty classes the week of July 16-21 include: Making-a-Story Quilt, Blacksmithing, Instrument Repair, Pottery (week two of two), Shibori Dye Techniques, Stonemasonry, Swing Dance, Natural History of Appalachia, Southern Barbecue Cooking, Folk Arts for Kids ($305), Elderhostel, Hammered Dulcimer: Technique and Ensemble Playing, and Ukulele: Mainland Styles.
July 23-28 classes include Book Restoration and Repair, Celtic Design and Lettering, Blacksmithing, Hornsmithing, Instrument Repair, Traditional Quiltmaking, Irish Dance, Gaelic Language and Song, Irish Literature, Herbs and Herb Gardening, Folk Arts for Kids ($305), Elderhostel, Cape Breton Fiddle, Old-Time Banjo (advanced beginners/intermediate), Old-time Fiddle (advanced beginners/intermediate), Hammered Dulcimer: Irish.
July 30-Aug. 4 classes include Bookbinding: Creative Devices, Chip Carving, Natural Basketry, Rag Rug Weaving, Wood Engraving, Timber Framing: Advanced, Herbs, Folk Arts for Kids ($305), Elderhostel, Autoharp: Gospel, and Swedish Fiddle and Nyckelharpa.
Aug. 6-13 classes include Felting, Fiddle and Bow Repair, Mountain Dulcimer Construction, Paper and Fabric Marbling, Rug Hooking, Broommaking, Appalachian Dance, Roots and Rhythm: Clogging and Movement for Teens; Fiddle Lore, Storytelling, Woodslore and Herbs, Folk Arts for Kids ($305), Elderhostel, Gospel Piano, Auto Harp: Old-time, Mountain Dulcimer: Old-time, Hammered Dulcimer: Old-time.
There are also a number of evening mini-classes that meet four nights each. Subject matter is similar to the full-week classes.
All classes meet on the Davis & Elkins College campus in Elkins.
For more information, contact the Augusta Heritage Center at 637-1209, 1-800-624-3157, augusta@augustaheritage.com or www.augustaheritage.com.
Regional Editor Nora Edinger can be reached at 626-1403.
