L.A. Old Time Social Workshops

Sat. 5/19 1:00pm – 6:00pm:

American Legion Hall Post 206, Highland Park, 227 N. Ave. 55 90042

$20 for the day (workshops & dance included)

Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

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FULL SCHEDULE & WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:

Clogging with Ruth Alpert from 5 – 6 pm:
Don’t have a partner to promenade but still feel like shaking your tailfeather?  Learn how to freestyle Appalachian-style with the phenomenal Ruth Alpert.

Raised in New York City, Ruth has been studying and performing dance since 1956, attending such prestigious schools as George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet and The Merce Cunningham School. Ruth graduated from Bard College with a major in dance and was part of the post modern scene in Soho in the 1970s. She is also an Appalachian freestyle clogger, which – along with improvisational theatre – she has performed regularly.
Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

West Virginia Fiddle Repertoire with Andy Fitzgibbons 1 -2 pm:
I learned to play West Virginia fiddle tunes in the old style from Lester McCumbers, Melvin Wine, Ralph Roberts, Murrell Hamrick, and other residents of central West Virginia.  My workshop will present a repertoire of rare and unusual tunes and bowing styles unique to the region, as well as discussing the background of the tunes and the fiddlers who played them.  Rather than teaching a whole tune, note-for-note, I will instead use several tunes to illustrate the bow, fingering, and timing techniques that are integral to West Virginia fiddle music.   Any level is welcome, and recording devices are encouraged.  Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Clawhammer Banjo of West Virginia and Tenessee with Ben Townsend 2 – 3 pm:
In this workshop Ben focuses on Central West Virginia banjo.

West Virginia native Ben Townsend grew up amidst Hampshire County’s rich musical heritage. At a young age he learned to play banjo and guitar in the old-time way. Encouraged by such local fiddlers as Paul Roomsburg, Joe Herrmann and Israel Welch he has gone on to amass a great catalog of traditional fiddle tunes, banjo pieces and songs. While in college at Shepherd University Ben used his summers to study banjo from stalwarts such as Riley Bogus and Jimmy Costa at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV. Apon graduation, again with the help of the Heritage Center’s apprenticeship program, he went on to study the traditional fiddle styles of Central West Virginia and Kentucky from Dave Bing of Roan County, WV and John Harrod of Owen County, Kentucky. Having spent time learning both banjo and fiddle in the styles of both West Virginia and Kentucky, Ben’s knowledge is not quick to run out.

While traveling and learning traditional music, Ben also took the time to join The Fox Hunt, a string band from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. He is also a member of a more traditional string band called the Iron Leg Boys with fiddler Andy Fitzgibbon and guitarist Matt Metz.  Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Shapenote Singing with Jessica Catron 2 – 3 pm:
Shape note singing is a uniquely American tradition dating back to the late 18th century that brings communities together to sing polyphonic hymns and anthems. It is a proudly inclusive and democratic part of our shared cultural heritage, designed to facilitate congregational singing.  You are invited to come learn as well as participate in this unique, alternative musical language.   No prior singing experience or musical knowledge is necessary.  The music is easy, the sound is joyously resonant, and all voices and ages are welcome — a willingness to sing is the only requirement!  Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Incredible Fiddle Jam Tunes from Virginia and Kentucky with David Bragger 4 – 5pm:
This workshop is for all levels! The objective is to get the fiddler playing some incredible tunes that will rock any jam session. I’ll be drawing from a vast repertoire of Kentucky and Virginia jam tunes that are fun, rhythmic and easy to grasp. I will also be teaching these exact tunes in a clawhammer banjo workshop entitled “Incredible Banjo Jam Tunes from Virginia and Kentucky.” Fiddlers and banjoists can rejoice and play them together afterwards at the Social or at the numerous jams in Los Angeles and beyond! Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Incredible Banjo Jam Tunes from Virginia and Kentucky with David Bragger 5 – 6pm:
This workshop is for all levels! The objective is to get the banjo player playing some incredible tunes that will rock any jam session. I’ll be drawing from a vast repertoire of Kentucky and Virginia jam tunes that are fun, rhythmic and easy to grasp. I will also be teaching these exact tunes in a fiddle workshop entitled “Incredible Fiddle Jam Tunes from Virginia and Kentucky.” Banjoists and fiddlers can rejoice and play them together afterwards at the Social or at the numerous jams in Los Angeles and beyond!

As always I will provide audio recordings of the workshop tunes with detailed instruction and variations for all the attendees. This way, beginners will have a chance to work through the basics and the more advanced banjo players will have variations including drop-thumbs, rakes, syncopations, etc. Please reserve your spot!

David Bragger plays banjo, fiddle and mandolin in the old-time jugband Sausage Grinder and in several local dance bands. David teaches old-time fiddle, banjo and mandolin to students of all ages and levels. His students have won awards at festivals from Topanga Fiddle Banjo Festival to Galax, Virginia. Most importantly, he shows you how to have a foot-stomping ruckus of a good time! Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Rhythm and Chord Patterns for the Guitar in Old-Time Music with Tom Sauber from 3 – 4pm:
Before the guitar entered the old-time ensemble in the early 20th century, the fiddle and banjo supplied the melody, rhythm and lots of droning.   The addition of the guitar added something new to the mix –  bass notes and chords –  while augmenting the rhythm.  We’ll look at 4 rhythm patterns (right hand) that can support and add to the energy of the lead instruments.   Chords for  fiddle and banjo music are usually implied, at best, and are often totally absent.  That doesn’t mean you have to play just one chord.  We’ll look at a few tunes to see what chord patterns can work and why; also how chord choices can complement the melody as opposed to slavishly following it.  Plus, we’ll briefly review the chord numbering system, something every guitar player should know.  Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.

Square Dance Calling with Susan Michaels from  3 – 5 pm:
Learn how to call squares for your friends and family.  Beginners welcome.  Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.comfor registration & questions.  Or just show up and get your dancing shoes on.

Clogging with Ruth Alpert from 5 – 6 pm:
Please email mike@triplechickenfoot.com for registration & questions.