Come experience the 2018 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival! This 4-day musical celebration of the famed Ragtime composer includes both free and paid concerts, symposiums, and special events. The festival is scheduled for May 30th through June 2nd, 2018 in downtown Sedalia, Missouri.
Ragtime enthusiasts likely already know that Scott Joplin wrote his most famous composition – The Maple Leaf Rag – in Sedalia. Consequently, there could hardly be a more appropriate venue for the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival.
The annual festival brings fans and performers to Sedalia from around the globe and this year is bound to be no exception. Music is the main focus, with a variety of free and ticketed concerts in and out of doors all festival-long. Internationally renowned musicians Richard Dowling, Bill Edwards, Jeff Barnhart, Evan Arntzen, Danny Coots, Marty Eggers, Matt Tolentino, Steve Pikal, Virginia Techenor, The Rhythmia, and many others are scheduled to perform.
Live concerts will celebrate music from the “Cradle of Ragtime,” the Missouri Valley. Beyond Joplin, the festival will also highlight the works of James Scott, Brun Campbell, Charles Johnson, John William “Blind” Boone, and others.
There will be free concerts at both Gazebo Park and Stark Pavillion throughout the day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. After Hours at the Best Western will see professional and amateur musicians getting together to share music and laughs.
The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival is more than performances, however. Special events include a parade, a “Toast to Ragtime” bus tour, a series of Symposia, ‘live’ silent films, a Japanese Tea Ceremony, pub crawl, and tons more!
2018 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival Event Schedule
-May 30th-
Ragtime Art Exhibit at Liberty Center – Scott Kirby – TBA
Spotlight Concert with Martin Spitznagel at Liberty Center – 7:30pm
After Hours at the Best Western – 10pm – 1am
-May 31st-
Ragtime Art Exhibit at Liberty Center – Scott Kirby – TBA
Performances at Gazebo Park – 9am to 3pm
Procession from Maple Leaf Park To Stark Pavilion – 9:30 am
Opening Ceremony & Performances at Stark Pavilion – 10am to 5pm
Ragtime University – TBA
Symposia at Liberty Center: Ragtime 101 – 9am
Symposia at Liberty Center: Ragtime 102 ‐ 10am
Symposia at Liberty Center: Ragtime 103 ‐ 11am
Dance Lessons/Practice at Fox Theater – 1pm to 5pm
Cradle of Ragtime at Liberty Center – 2pm to 3:30pm
Donor Party (private) – 5pm – 6:30pm
Transitions in American Music: Thomas “Fats” Waller – 7pm to 9pm
After Hours at the Best Western – 10pm – 1am
-June 1st-
Ragtime Art Exhibit at Liberty Center – Scott Kirby – TBA
Performances at Gazebo Park – 9am to 3pm
Performances at Maple Leaf Park – 10am to 5pm
Symposia at Liberty Center: Scott Joplin Mysteries – 9am
Symposia at Liberty Center: Real Ragtime Stories – 10am
Symposia at Liberty Center: Ragtime Without Borders – 11am
A Toast To Ragtime Tour – 12:30pm to 2pm
Dance Lessons/Practice at Fox Theater – 12pm to 2pm
Ragtime Revelations – 2pm to 3:30pm
The Ragtime Dance at Cakewalk Hall – 4pm
Easy Winners: 176 Keys of Fury! – 7pm to 9 pm
Ragtime Ramble Pub Crawl in Downtown Sedalia – 9pm to Midnight
-June 2nd-
Ragtime Art Exhibit at Liberty Center – Scott Kirby – TBA
Ragtime Era Fashion Contest – 8:30am Registration; 9am start
Performances at Gazebo Park – 9am to 3pm
Performances at Maple Leaf Park – 10am to 5pm
Symposia at Liberty Center: Main Street Souvenirs ‐ 9am
Symposia at Liberty Center: Legends of Ragtime Panel – 10:30am
Japanese Tea Ceremony at the Fox Theater – 11am to noon
A Toast To Ragtime Tour – 12:30pm to 2pm
The Legacy of Scott Joplin – 2pm to 3:30pm
The Ragtime Music Hall – 7pm to 9:30pm
After Hours at the Best Western – 10pm – 1am
Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival
May 30 – June 2, 2018, downtown Sedalia, MO
Visit www.scottjoplin.org for tickets, direction, and more information.
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