Workshops

 

banjo

Bluegrass Banjo with Kevin Cassity • It’s all about attitude! A workshop for beginning to intermediate banjo-nauts. Sat Jan 24, 2:30–3:45, PSB 109

Old-Time Banjo with Kevin Cassity • Sun Feb 1, 4:00–5:15, PSB 210

The Annual Banjo Contest! • Sign up outside UAA Allied Health Sciences Building Room 106 at 2:30 pm. Contest starts at 3. Sat, Jan 31, 2:30–5:00, HSB 106

 

bass

★ Bass Is the Place: Theory and Technique to Improve Your Groove and Deepen Your Pocket with Guest Artist Chris Sartori of the Faux Paws • Sun Feb 1, 1:00–2:15, PSB 109

★ Bluegrass Bass with Guest Artist Jon Goldfine • Join Jon Goldfine from Henhouse Prowlers as he shares the highs and lows of being the backbone of any music situation. This workshop will cover everything from bass setup and technique and include a demonstration of his wild full-sized upright that folds up to fit under a plane seat!

 

dance

Introduction to Solo Jazz • Solo jazz is a highly improvisational dance style that emerged from African American communities. While most people recognize the Charleston, solo jazz includes so many other moves like the Suzie Q, Fall off the Log, and Boogie Forward. In this beginner class, we’ll learn a few moves that you can mix and match and add your own style. No partner or dance experience necessary. Just bring water and comfortable clothes and shoes. Sun Jan 25, 11:00–12:15, Main Stage

Irish Ceili Dancing • Come learn (or practice) Irish ceili (sounds like “kay-lee”) dances! Don’t worry, it’s not Riverdance—the closest American equivalent is contra dancing. No partner or experience needed and all ages are welcome, but kids please keep your responsible adult handy…and adults, you may need to help smaller children through the dance. We’ll have live music from the Red Cap family band! Sat Jan 24, 11:00 – 12:15, Main Stage

Irish Folk Dancing—A Blend of Multiple Types • Have you ever admired the lively steps of Irish dancers or found yourself tapping your foot to a catchy tune? Join us for a beginner-friendly continuation of Céilí—Irish social dancing. Sharing roots with many styles of folk dancing like contra and even country, our dances are performed in groups, forming intricate patterns that are as much fun to dance as they are to watch.These classes will build on the beginning class, expanding to include set dancing and other group dances. First weekend class recommended but not required. Join us as individual, couple, or bring a group; dancers can dance any role they choose, and you will dance with different people as the session progresses. Sun Jan 25, 9:30–10:45, and Sun Feb 1, 9:30–10:45, Main Stage

Swing Dance with Katie Cueva and Hot Club of Nunaka • Learn the basics of swing dancing to the live music of Hot Club of Nunaka. All dancers welcome, no experience needed. Sun Feb 1, 11:00–12:15, Main Stage

Youth Contra Dance • (All Ages Welcome ages 2 to 122) with Stephen Bahner • Anybody can learn how to do-si-do! Bring your dancing shoes and be prepared for a good time. This workshop is especially geared for kids and teens, but all are welcome! Sat Jan 31, 11:00–12:15, Main Stage

 

fiddle

Fiddle Tunes for All Instruments • Bring your instrument! All are welcome to learn and play some new and old tunes together. Sat Jan 24, 2:30–3:45, PSB 110

Fun Fiddle Tunes • Brighten your winter with some easy fun tunes. All levels and all instruments welcome. Sun Feb 1, 11:30–12:45, PSB 109

★ Twin Fiddling (all lead instruments welcome!) with Guest Artists Andrew VanNorstrand and Noah VanNorstrand of the Faux Paws • Sun Feb 1, 1:00–2:15, PSB 110

 

guitar

Acoustic (aka folk or country) Blues Basics • In this class we first do a presentation of what makes the blues the blues: including the history, types of instruments, structure, keys, and scales. We will then work on playing some scales, blue notes, finger-style thumb independence, and a basic shuffle. We will end by learning to jam by yourself. Sat Jan 31, 11:30–12:45, PSB 109

Beginning and Intermediate Fingerstyle Guitar • This workshop is for beginner and intermediate guitar players who would like to learn some basic and intermediate fingerstyle (picking with fingers) guitar techniques to improve and/or add to their guitar playing. Sun Feb 1, 1:00–2:15, PSB 210

Blues and Jazz Guitar 102 • Explore the roots of Americana blues and how they morph into the language of jazz. Sat Jan 24, 4:00–5:15, PSB 110

Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar • An introduction to fingerstyle guitar. Leave your picks in the guitar case. A hands-on workshop. We will address basic Travis picking, claw hammer rhythm guitar, some “drop D” tuning, and alternate positions for chords. Basic knowledge of chords helpful but not necessary. Sat Jan 24, 1:00- 2:15, PSB 110

Intro to Travis Picking Fingerstyle Guitar • Intro to Travis-style guitar fingerpicking in the style of Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Doc Watson. Will present basic concepts and how to get started. Some basic knowledge of chords probably good…but if you just want to learn, all are welcome! Sun Jan 25, 11:30–12:45, PSB 109

Introduction to Alternate (Open) Guitar Tunings for Playing and Writing Music • Introduction to alternate tunings for fingerstyle, pick, and slide guitar—also called “open tunings” because the guitar is tuned to a chord which can simplify work for the chording hand and create chord voicings which add skills for producing unique progressions and easier fingering pattern use. Many songs are written and performed using alternate tunings because this mechanism sometimes makes this process easier than standard chords made with standard tunings. Sun Feb 1, 2:30–3:45, PSB 210

Slide-Guitar Workshop for Beginning and Intermediate Slide-Guitar Players • This slide-guitar workshop is for beginning and intermediate slide-guitar players who would like to try adding or improving their slide-guitar-playing guitar skills. You will learn basic and some intermediate techniques. Sun Feb 1, 11:30–12:45, PSB 210

 

instrument maintenance

Improvising Melodies 101 • Exploring the role and resources of improvisation through the spectrum of Americana styles. Sat Jan 31, 4:00–5:15, PSB 110

 

jams

Acoustic Jam Session and Song Circle • All are welcome at this Acoustic Jam session! Music and lyrics will be available for some standard folk tunes. All should come with at least one tune they are ready to call. Sun Jan 25, 4:00–5:15, PSB 109

Beginning Jamming and Improvisation • A play-along, sing-along, improvise-along (and dance-along?) workshop. All instruments, all ages, all skill levels, welcome! Sat Jan 24, 4:00–5:15, PSB 109

Mid-Tempo Bluegrass Jam • Pick some classic bluegrass songs at a moderate tempo. Tablets discouraged; let’s play by ear! Sun Feb 1, 4:00–5:15, PSB 110

Show Up and Jam • PSB Room 109 is reserved for folks who want to have a welcoming and maybe spontaneous jam session. Please be sure to clean up the room when finished and leave it better than you found it! Sat Jan 31, 4:00–5:15, PSB 109

 

mandolin

Mandolin 201 • For those with a basic understanding of the mandolin who want to learn moveable, closed chord shapes and unlock more notes up the neck. Sat Jan 24, 1:00–2:15, PSB 210

★ Mandolinwith Guest Artist Jake Howard of Henhouse Prowlers • Bring your mandolins as we use double stops as our guide for playing melodies and improvising solos. Just like the pros do! Sun Jan 25, 1:00–2:15, PSB 109

What the Heck? Up the Neck! Mapping the Mandolin Fretboard • Explore patterns and voicings to expand your mandolin mind! Sat Jan 31, 1:00–2:15, PSB 210

 

music theory

Zen of Music Theory • Go away knowing a simple-to-remember method of determining what notes are in every key, what notes are in every chord, what the chord progression is in each key, and other music-theory rules. And be able to use this method on the fly. Learn tricks of what to do when you get lost or how to participate in a jam with advanced players. No prior knowledge of music theory needed. Sun Jan 25, 4:00–5:15, PSB 110, and Sat Jan 31, 2:30–3:45, PSB 109

★ Arranging a Tune—the Ins and Outs with Guest Artists the Faux Paws • Sun Feb 1, 2:30–3:45, PSB 110

 

performer/musician support

Acoustic Guitar Construction Show-and-Tell • Dave Gerard is a part-time luthier in Homer. He has been building for over 25 years and would like to demonstrate how acoustic instruments are built. Sat Jan 24, 11:30–12:45, PSB 210

★ Bluegrass Ambassadors: Finding Common Chords in Music and Across Humanity • Having toured across 30 countries, the Henhouse Prowlers have developed a unique skill set that connects people around the world through their nonprofit Bluegrass Ambassadors. This workshop distills those experiences into practical tools that anyone can use to bridge cultural and linguistic divides through music and storytelling. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to foster genuine connection, whether across the street or across the globe. Instruments and voices encouraged! Sun Jan 25, 2:30–3:45, PSB 110

Feldenkrais for Musicians • A workshop for anyone who feels blocked in learning music—or finds playing a struggle. As children, we learn with ease and pleasure, yet Western education often trains that natural joy out of us, valuing effort and “hard work“ over fun, relaxed, curious exploration. Through the Feldenkrais approach, we’ll explore how to return to effortless, pleasurable learning in music, movement, and life. The session includes discussion and gentle movement explorations. Bring a comfortable mat or yoga pad. Sun Jan 25, 2:30–3:45, PSB 109

Microphones, Monitors, and Other Mysteries of Live Sound • This workshop takes place on the Wendy main stage. Bring your intruments, bandmates, and voices, and the Folk Festival sound team will answer all your questions and even give you a chance to try out a bit of your set! Sat Jan 24, 9:30–10:45, and Sat Jan 31, 9:30–10:45, Main Stage

Polishing Your Performance • Whether a soloist, group, or whole band…come join our interactive session to help improve stage presence and performance—fun, supportive, and always positive! Robin Hopper, Marianne See, and Caiti Hopper again offer this popular session to strengthen performances of our local talented artists. Bring instruments! Sat Jan 24, 11:30–12:45, PSB 110

 

songwriting

Artisan Song Crafting • This workshop is focused on the careful, methodical work of polishing a song that occurs after the creative burst that produces the beautiful, poetic, or clever images that are the raw material. We’ll look at what makes a song sound really professional and what makes it capture the listener. Sat Jan 31, 1:00–2:15, PSB 109

Creating Memorable Songs • Ideas for great songs are all around you! In this back-to-back double workshop, we will explore a technique for writing memorable lyrics that connect with the listener. Just bring yourself, your ears, and your imagination. Ideas for creating melodies will also be discussed. Sat Jan 24, 2:30–5:15, PSB 210

 

ukulele

Beginner Ukulele • Want to learn how to play the ukulele? This is the class for you. Go from not knowing anything to playing songs before you are done. That is correct—you will be able to play five songs before you are done. Come have some fun, meet the people who deliver the FUN. Sun Jan 25, 11:30–12:45, PSB 210, and Sat Jan 31, 11:30–12:45, PSB 110

 

voice

Gorilla Choir • A playful vocal workshop for all ages—no experience needed. Led by Kevin (and friends), you’ll sing along to live guitar and familiar tunes while exploring your voice any way you like: harmonize, howl, chant, or simply listen. There’s no right or wrong—just curiosity and freedom. Let your inner wildness, diva, or dreamer emerge as you play with sound like a child in a sandbox. Sun Feb 1, 11:30–12:45, PSB 110

Sacred Harp Singing • Sacred Harp singing is an American traditional style of four-part a cappella, religious, community-based, shape-note singing. The music is powerful, moving and haunting. Singers are welcome without regard to experience, faith, or background. Rudimentary musical knowledge is helpful but not required. Sun Feb 1, 2:30–3:45, PSB 109

 

youth

Alaskan Children’s Songs • Kids and families will sing original Alaska-themed children’s songs along with some classics, learn some basics of music, and play instruments. They will even take one home with them to enjoy. 1–1.25-hour-long is great. Ages 1– any age 🙂 Sat Jan 24, 10:00–11:15, PSB 110

Alaska City Folk Arts Rehearsal & Jam • All are welcome to join us as we prepare for our main-stage set. Sun Jan 25, 11:30–12:45, PSB 110

Music Together: Music and Movement for Families with Young Children • (0–5 years) • Did you know that all children are born musical? Join us as we build on your child’s innate musical aptitude through play! Help your child discover their inner music-maker (and rediscover yours as well) with 45 minutes of singing, dancing, wiggling, and jamming as a community. You’ll learn how music supports overall early childhood development and leave with new ways to incorporate music into your family’s daily life. Sun Jan 25, 10:00–11:15, PSB 110

Singing Folk Games, Dances, and Songs for Kids • Simple and fun folk songs sung along to fun games and dances. (Ideal for Elementary-aged children, but all ages welcome!) Sun Feb 1, 10:00–11:15, PSB 110

Youth Contra Dance (All Ages Welcome ages 2 to 122) with Stephen Bahner • Anybody can learn how to do-si-do! Bring your dancing shoes and be prepared for a good time. This workshop is especially geared for kids and teens, but all are welcome! Sat Jan 31, 11:00–12:15, Main Stage