Deines Cultural Center

Visit the web site for the Deines Cultural Center.

The Russell American Roots Music Festival is part of the Smithsonian’s New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music programming hosted by the Friends of the Deines Cultural Center, Russell Arts Council and Russell Main Street, and Kansas Humanities Council.

Children had an opportunity to try their hand (and bow) on stringed instruments at an “Instrument Petting Zoo” in the lower level of the Deines Cultural Center on Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm as part of the Russell American Roots Music Festival. Retired Russell music teacher Peggy Anschutz has been working with the Western Kansas String Academy students on traditional fiddle tunes and was on hand as the students demonstrate their skills and encourage others to join. Western Kansas String Academy is sponsored by the Fort Hays State University's Department of Music. It is a collaborative education and community outreach project in which FHSU faculty and undergraduate music students, talented community musicians, public school string teachers, cultural arts advocates, and parents work together to support the development of individual skills of young string players and to train future string teachers by providing hands-on teaching experience. Cathy Drabkin, Hays, is the director of the Western Kansas String Academy.