Playing in an Old Time Jam | 10 - 11 AM

Are you new to old time music, or not sure what the etiquette is for playing in an old time jam? Bring any and all of your questions about playing in an old time jam to this workshop! We’ll talk about what to expect when you sit down to join a jam in terms of repertoire, roles the various instruments play and more, dive into what clues to look for when assessing whether a jam might be open or closed, tips for asking to join a jam, and tips for starting a jam of your own!

Tunes from Michigan | 10 - 11 AM*

Like other regions of the country, Michigan has a robust and diverse history of old time music and fiddle traditions. But this history and repertoire is not well known. Come join Micah and Molly to learn about Michigan’s multi-ethnic fiddle traditions and learn some unique fiddle tunes from Michigan music collections. All instruments welcome. The workshop will be aimed at intermediate/advanced level players, but all are welcome to attend. The workshop will be taught by ear, so recording devices (including smartphones) could be good to bring.

Scandinavian Tunes | 10 - 11 AM*

Come learn Swedish and Norwegian fiddle tunes with Patrik & Vidar! The workshop welcomes all instruments (not just fiddles), and will be aimed at intermediate and advanced players, although all are welcome to attend. The workshop will be taught by ear, so recording devices are good to bring. Sheet music will be provided after the class. 

Clogging/Flatfooting 101 | 10 - 11 AM*

Clogging (also known in some parts of the country as flatfooting) is a percussive dance tradition from Appalachia that is often done to old time music. Like other percussive dance traditions (tap dancing, step dancing, etc.), it is a dance style that centers on making rhythmic patterns with your feet. Dancers often learn a core vocabulary of steps and use them to improvise different rhythms, all the while keeping time with the music. Come join the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers to learn some basic clogging/flatfooting steps! Shoes with leather soles work best if you have them.

Ballad Singing | 10 - 11 AM*

with McKain Lakey! If you love singing and storytelling this is the place for you! We’ll talk a bit about the history of ballad singing, drawing on source recordings of important tradition-bearers from different regions. We’ll also examine the vocal technique behind traditional old time music, and how to sing loud and proud in a healthy and sustainable way. But mostly we’ll just have a bunch of fun singing songs:) see you there!

Cajun Music Workshop and Beginner Jam (at Showtime Studio & Coffee) | 10 AM - 12 PM

Cajun music is a musical genre from Louisiana that centers around the button accordion, fiddle, and French language. The musical style was developed by Acadians, or Cajuns, who began to settle in Southwest Louisiana in 1764 (after being exiled from what is now Nova Scotia in 1755). Besides Acadian oral traditions, Cajun music also incorporates influences from Irish, German, African and Native American traditions. In this workshop, Gary Powell and Eric Mohring of legendary Minnesota Cajun band the Bone Tones and John Terr of the also legendary New Riverside Ramblers (and formerly of the Chicago Cajun Aces) will go over some of the basics of Cajun music including roles each instrument plays, common tune styles, repertoire, and rhythmic elements. The workshop will be followed by a Cajun jam from 11 AM - noon. Ideal for fiddle, guitar, button accordion and bass players, drummers, and anyone interested in singing in French. Workshop and jam will be led by ear, recording devices could be useful if you want to bring them. 

Old-Time Guitar | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM*

In this workshop host Rina Rossi will go over some of the basics of old time guitar playing including hearing and predicting chords, right hand technique, timing, and tone, and simple bass runs. All experience levels welcome. Workshop will be most useful for players who know the chord shapes A, E, D, G, and C in first position. The workshop will be taught by ear, so recording devices are good to bring. Participants will also be given resources for further learning.

Harmony Singing | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Come join Kim & Quillan Roe for an hour of harmony singing. Participants will learn some melody and harmony lines for several  old time songs and practice singing them together. Kim & Quillan will also discuss some strategies they use when singing harmony to sync up their vocals to achieve a seamless blend. Lyrics will be provided, so all you need to do is show up! Open to singers of all experience levels.

Hosted Jam | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM*

Come join jam hosts Sam Timmreck and Brenton Haack of the Waxwing Stringband for a medium speed jam in keys like G and D. Jam hosts will lead participants in playing through a series of old time tunes at medium speed. All instruments and all experience levels welcome!

Ethel Lerum Tunes | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM*

Jesse & Liz of Sweet Milk & Peaches make their home in southwestern Wisconsin. At the turn of the century this area, and Wisconsin in general, was full of fiddlers who played for community events from barn raisings to threshing parties to weddings and community dances. Jesse & Liz had the good fortune of meeting a neighbor named Ethel Lerum whose dad, Fay Allen, was a fiddle player and dance caller and had a family band when Ethel was a kid.  They were able to learn a bunch of unique tunes from Ethel before she passed. Come join them to learn a few of them! The workshop will be aimed at intermediate/advanced level players, but all are welcome to attend. The workshop will be taught by ear, so recording devices (including smartphones) could be good to bring.

Old Time Back Up Piano | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM*

Piano has been used to accompany fiddle tunes in many different musical traditions, from Cape Breton to Irish to Québécois. It was also relatively common as an accompaniment instrument in the midwest, including in parts of Missouri and other places. In this workshop, Dedo Norris will demonstrate and how she approaches piano accompaniment to fiddle tunes, including basic boom-chuck patterns and occasional slight backbeat and/or swing from her love of Irish, Québécois, and Cape Breton fiddle music with their history of great piano players. Chirps Smith will provide the fiddle tunes. Workshop will be most useful for intermediate/advanced players. Keyboards can be provided, or feel free to bring your own.

Midwest Old Time Music History and Collections  | 1 - 2 PM

Come join Micah Ling, Jim Nelson, Bill Peterson, and Mike Sawyer to learn about midwest fiddle history and the wealth of readily available online resources that exist for listening to and learning old time tunes and songs collected in Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Micah will talk about collections of Michigan music. Jim has been involved in various efforts to make and release recordings of Missouri fiddlers, including Ozark fiddler Bob Holt. Bill Peterson worked alongside Dwight Lamb to help spread Dwight’s recordings of Missouri fiddlers like Cyril Stinnett and Nebraska fiddler Bob Walters. Mike Sawyer has worked diligently to collect Minnesota and Wisconsin tunes, songs, and stories.

The Red River Jig (presentation + dance workshop) | 1 - 2:30 PM

1:00 PM: Presentation: An Introduction to the Métis Red River Jig: an Indigenous, Mixed-Blood Tradition of the Northwest
Piihtikway! The Red River Métis are an Indigenous and Mixed-Blood People of Turtle Island (North America), with a rich tradition of fiddling and step dancing. Born out of First Nations and European relationships during the Fur Trade, the Métis were a "New People" of North America. Also known as Michif, Otipemisiwak, Âpihtawikosisân, Bois Brûlé, and Half-Breed, the Métis are a distinct nation with their own language, customs, and heritage. Their historic homeland stretches from Manitoba to the Northwest Territories and from Michigan to Montana.

Métis fiddling and step dancing have relationships to First Nations, Québécois, Scottish, Irish, and Canadian and American Old-Time traditions. In this short presentation, dancer and ethnochoreographer Danielle Enblom will introduce the Red River Jig within the broader context of Métis history and culture. Drawing from her Métis family heritage, her work with Métis Elders and in community, and perspective as a dance researcher, trained dancer, and fiddler, Danielle will share aspects of Métis culture through language, demonstration, and source recordings

1:40 PM: Percussive Dance Workshop
The second half of this workshop will introduce a variety of Red River Jig steps and rhythms. Participants will learn dance steps while gaining a deeper appreciation of the music and history that shape this dance tradition. The workshop will also explore the crooked 3/2 tune that the Red River Jig is danced to, highlighting the various regional and individual variations and styles found across the Métis world, weaving in language, culture, history, and music theory. This workshop is open to varied levels of participation—whether you want to observe, explore rhythms through clapping and tapping, learn the basics, or challenge yourself with more intricate footwork. Everyone is welcome. Kawapemitin nateh! See you there! 

Clawhammer Banjo  | 1 - 2 PM*

Clawhammer is a banjo style rooted in African diasporic traditions. It is frequently used in old-time music for its mixture melody and rhythmic accompaniment. This workshop will go over the fundamentals of clawhammer banjo playing including right and left hand technique, basic rhythmic patterns, and learning to play a tune from an archival recording. The class may also discuss common tunings, and strategies for further learning depending on student interest. The workshop will be taught by ear - bringing recording devices is highly encouraged! with Joe Johnson.

Introduction to Old Time Fiddling  | 1 - 2 PM*

Come join AJ Srubas to learn some of the fundamentals of old time fiddling through learning a tune and breaking down some techniques for creating rhythms with the bow and learning by ear. AJ will also provide an introduction to common keys and tunings, and some resources to learn more. This workshop will be a good fit for participants who already play the fiddle/violin but are new to old time music, or participants who are new to fiddle but know how to tune the instrument and know first position well enough to play a few simple melodies.

Playing for Square and Contra Dances  | 1 - 2 PM*

A lot of old time music developed as dance music - specifically square dance music. In some communities it is also played for contra dances, while in other dance communities a similar but slightly different style of music is used for contra dancing that incorporates influences from Irish, French Canadian, Cape Breton, and other traditions and involves more improvisation and dynamics. In this workshop, musicians and dance callers Julie Young and Bob Walser will go over some of the similarities and differences of the two dance styles and how to play for them. Great for anyone wanting to learn more about playing for dances, and anyone in general who might be curious about this topic!

Archiving African American Banjo Players | 2:30 - 3:30 PM*

Joe Johnson developed a research guide titled "African-American Banjo Music: Resources in the American Folklife Center for the Library of Congress". This guide provides access to materials about African Americans who play the banjo within the LOC’s collections. In this workshop, Joe will discuss the origins of the banjo as a Black instrument, challenges he encountered while creating the educational guide, and share musical examples from the archives. Participants will gain insight into how to navigate the Library of Congress collections and be introduced to other archives to begin their own research in to these rich traditions. 

Line Dancing | 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Come join country line dance aficionado Sarah King to learn a few country line dances and try them out! All are welcome, no experience necessary!

Hosted Jam | 2:30 - 3:30 PM*

Come join jam hosts Molly Mcbride and Rob Daves for a medium speed jam in keys like G and D. Jam hosts will lead participants in playing through a series of old time tunes at medium speed. All instruments and all experience levels welcome!

Mandolin Fundamentals | 2:30 - 3:30 PM*

Are you mando curious? This workshop will introduce you to the basics — emphasis on "basics" — of playing the little instrument most often mistaken for a ukulele. (It's not.) Keith Dudding will introduce you to basic scale patterns, chord sets, and simple techniques to get you started playing. If you know nothing about playing the mandolin, you'll leave knowing something. If you already know a little, you'll leave knowing a little more. And if you already know a lot, honestly you should probably go to a different workshop. While it won't promise to "put the FUN in fundamentals," this workshop will help get the mando-curious started off on the right foot — or rather, fingers.