2017: Oly Old Time Festival Schedule

Concert and Dance Schedule

Thursday Night Kick-off Dance (2/16)

7pm – 10pm            South Bay Grange
Band:            The REDS            

Caller:           Carol Piening

Saturday Family Dance (2/18)

2pm – 3pm            First Christian Church
Band:           The Bow Weevils

Caller:           Caroline Oakley

Friday Night Events (2/17)

Saturday Night Dance (2/18)

 7pm – 10pm            Concert – South Bay Grange
The Bow Weevils
The Canote Brothers
Anna & Elizabeth

10pm – Midnight     Square Dance – South Bay Grange
Band:     Dibble Street Stringband

Caller:      Amy Hofer


Sunday Cabaret (2/19)

7pm – 10pm            Square Dance – South Bay Grange
Band:             Uncle Wiggily & Friends

Caller:              Caroline Oakley

10pm – Midnight     Late-night Cajun dance – South Bay Grange
Band:      Touloulou

 

1pm – 3pm     South Bay Grange
This is our traditional close to the weekend festivities. The Cabaret is open to anyone and we get a mix of festival performers, instructors, participants, and kids. If you’ve never been you’re missing out, and if you have attended, well then, you know what we mean. A sign up sheet is  usually floating around the registration table all weekend. Amazing things happen when we open ourselves up to possibilities!!


Workshop Schedule (all workshops are free)
Brown = especially kid friendly

This is the final workshop schedule (subject to minor adjustments).
There will be programs available at the festival with a workshop schedule and other pertinent information.

Please note there are two different workshop buildings (locations): First Christian Church or Arbutus Folk School
Click HERE for directions to each workshop location (~10 min walk between locations).
Black = First Christian Church location
Red = Arbutus Folk School location

*All workshops run for 1 hour unless otherwise noted*


Friday (2/17) Workshops


Saturday (2/18) Workshops

12 Noon – 5pm
12 Noon – 5pm


12pm – 2pm*
Make A Crankie
(2hr workshop will extend until 2pm)
Church – Koinonia Hall
Anna & Elizabeth
Crankies are basically fiddle tunes illustrated on paper or fabric and cranked on a spool so that they roll by in time to the music.  We will demonstrate a crankie we’ve made and then we will make one together.  Maybe we’ll even perform it at some point during the weekend.  Bring yourself and your creativity.  We’ll have all the crankie makings.

12pm – 1pm
Intermediate Fiddle (Happy G Tunes)
Church – Library

Greg Canote
Learn a Happy G Tune: Greg Canote will let you in on one of his secrets to happiness with this intermediate fiddle workshop where he will impart on you the wisdom and joy of the G tune.


1pm – 2pm
Intermediate Fiddle (C Tunes)
Church – Upstairs
Charlie Beck
Going Across the C with Charlie (old time fiddle tunes in the key of C).  Play some really fun, interesting and accessible old time fiddle tunes in the key of C. Charlie will break ’em down phrase by phrase at slow tempos, and then you’ll play ’em together up to speed. Yay!

1pm – 2pm
Old Time Guitar
Church – Library
Jere Canote
How to keep the fiddler happy! We’ll work on a nice, solid Boom Chuck Rhythm, Some Bass Runs, and how to figure out which chords to play when.

1pm – 2pm
Carter Family Sing-Along
Church – Main Sanctuary
Juli Kelen
Come join in a song circle where we’ll celebrate the music of the prolific Carter Family, who brought Old Time song to wider American audiences at the dawn of the recording era. Lyrics sheets will be provided. Instruments and harmony singers welcome!


2pm – 3pm
Mandolin: Ella Haley’s Mandolin
Church – Upstairs
Daniel Ullom
We will look at different ways of banging out rhythm on a mandolin, as inspired by the playing of Ella Haley.

2pm – 3pm
Intermediate Banjo
Church – Library
Paul Silveria
Building a tune from the ground up. We’ll start by learning the chord structure of our tune, then lay the basic frailing pattern over the top. Last, we’ll add right-hand and left-hand techniques to create a rich arrangement. Hopefully you’ll not only learn a new tune, but get some useful insight into creating your own arrangements.

2pm – 3pm
Beginning Old Time Fiddle
Church – Main Sanctuary
Charmaine Slaven
Charmaine will cover how to play some cool old tunes that are great for jams or dances! You’ll slow them down, learning the tunes by ear, part by part. You’ll discuss a bit about chords on the fiddle, and bowing, so you can start to get that old-time sound!


3pm – 5pm*
Shape Note Singing (2-hr workshop)
Church – Koinonia Hall
Kate Fortin
Shapenote singing is an uninterrupted two-hundred-year-old tradition of American vocal harmony.  It is also called “Sacred Harp” singing after its best-known tunebook.  Sung a capella, in four parts, and LOUD, shapenote singing has been called “gospel-punk”.  The tradition includes a highly democratic and inclusive social structure.

3pm – 4pm
Intermediate Banjo: Straight Ahead Clawhammer
Church – Upstairs
Johnny Fitzpatrick

Go over basic clawhammer technique(s) including drop thumb use, and pick one or two simple tunes to play directly and also accompany. Johnny will have lots to keep you busy, but feel free to bring tunes that you want to work on or learn!

3pm – 4pm
Mandolin Tunes and Technique
Church – Library
Jack Dwyer

A repertoire class for old-time mandolin, with pointers on picking and rhythm. We’ll start with a old-time reel (2/4) and, time permitting, finish with a waltz (3/4).

3pm – 4pm
Cello and Fiddle in Old Time
Church – Main Sanctuary
Dante Faulk and River Schuerell

We will learn a tune or two and the chords to them that are both cello and fiddle friendly.  We will also work on adapting old tme fiddle techniques and bowing for the cello.


4pm – 5pm
Intermediate Fiddle: How to End It!
Church – Upstairs
Brittany Newell

The ending of things can really color an entire experience. No matter how ripping of a fiddle tune I’ve just played, if the ending falls flat, it’s a little less fun than it could have been. Come and learn a few tags, and strategic endings that can fit with just about any fiddle tune. We’ll do one ending per key – G, D, A, and C, and try them out in the context of a tune.

4pm – 5pm
Old Time Ballads
Church – Library
Maggie Neatherlin

Learn one or two ballads, and what techniques are traditionally used for ballad singing.  If there is time, we will also work on old time harmonies.

4pm – 5pm
Uke til You Puke
Church – Main Sanctuary
The Canote Brothers

How to make that insistent strummy sound, that keeps the fiddle tune percolating right along, We’ll learn easy chords in the fiddle tune keys of A, C, D, and G. Bring a uke or banjo-uke tuned gCEA.

12pm – 1pm
KidJam
Church – Koinonia Hall

Anthea Lawrence & Jesse Partridge
Instructors extraordinaire, Anthea Lawrence and Jesse Partridge, will lead a kid-oriented jam with familiar tunes.  All acoustic instruments welcome.  The instructors will help all interested youngsters participate and will be backed up by some of the regular participants in the monthly Olympia Kids Jam.

12pm – 1pm
Cajun Fiddle Duet
Church – Upstairs

Lisa Ornstein
Learn a cajun tune on fiddle and how to “second” the piece with another fiddler.

12pm – 1pm
Old Time Guitar
Church – Library

Patrick Lind
This is how much Patrick likes old time guitar: He sat for hours on Sunday nights long ago in the smoke choked Portland pub just to study with the masters “Boom” and “Chuck”. He has spent Tuesday nights for the past ten years leading the guitar section of the Portland String Band Class, even after teaching 7th graders all day long. It is not uncommon for him to play a tune for half an hour so 65 couples in a line can dance the Virginia Reel. Playing music takes commitment, but the workshop is free… So come on down!


1pm – 2pm
Fiddle Tunes for Dances
Church – Upstairs

Dave Mount
This workshop is designed for intermediate fiddlers who want to start playing dances or improve their dance-fiddling skills. Beginners and more seasoned fiddlers might also find it interesting. We’ll learn one sure-fire dance tune–something easy, like Bob Holt’s “Tomahawk”–then work on how to play it fast and with commitment. We’ll also touch on what makes a good dance tune and how to start a dance at the right speed.

1pm – 2pm
Beginning Bass
Church – Library

Tony Mates
Come learn about instrument set-up, tone production, ear training, scale relationships and playing with others.

1pm – 2pm
Harmony Singing with Anna & Elizabeth
Church – Main Sanctuary

Anna & Elizabeth
Anna & Elizabeth will share their approach to harmony-making by ear. They will teach a few of their favorite songs from the folk traditions of Appalachia and new England, as well as trying a few exercises to get the group to listen and make sounds together!


2pm – 3pm
All Ages Dance
Church – Koinonia Hall

The Bow Weevils
Carolina Oakley Caller
This is a square dance that is especially geared towards inclusion of youngsters.  Caroline Oakley will lead us through a set of slightly simpler dances with the goal of having everyone included and having fun.  Local kid-band the Bow Weevils will provide the tunes.

2pm – 3pm
Intro to Appalachian Dulcimer
Church – Library
Tom Murrett
Tom will teach a couple of simple tunes, and will show a few basic chords and how to incorporate them into songs and melodies.  There will be a couple of extra dulcimers on-hand for those who want to try it out.

2pm – 3pm
Finger-style Banjo
Church – Upstairs
Charlie Beck
Fun, practical approaches and uses of the finger-picked banjo. Charlie will start with a very basic and useful technique, and show how it can be implemented on some great old songs. Then he’ll add some variations to that, and add a couple of different rolls. The waltzing banjo will also be examined in this finger-plucked style. All experience levels welcome.  You’re gonna have fun and learn stuff too, so bring your banjo, any banjo questions you may have and your voice!!

2pm – 3pm
Intermediate Fiddle: Music from the Fiddler’s Green
Church – Main Sanctuary
Joe McHugh
Joe will share tunes and tips from his mentors who now play their music for the ancestors: J.P. Fraley, Craig Johnson, Donald Riddell, Lee Triplett, and Melvin Wine.  He’ll also include a few pointers he got from them on bowing, fingering, and whatnot.

2pm – 3pm
Cajun Accordion
Arbutus Folk School – Front Room
John Hurd
John Hurd will teach a simple tune and demonstrate different techniques for adding ornaments, connecting phrases, and triplets.

2pm – 3pm
Cajun Lead Fiddle
Arbutus Folk School – Back Room
Karen England & Steve Perry
Karen England and Steve Perry will teach a simple tune or two and talk about the melodic side of the fiddle in Cajun Music.


3pm – 4pm
Square Dance Calling
Church – Koinonia Hall
Amy Hofer
Have you never tried square dance calling before? Then this workshop is for you! Everyone will have an opportunity to practice teaching moves and calling to music.

3pm – 4pm
Intermediate Banjo: Singing While Playing
Church – Library
Maggie Lind
This workshop is for intermediate players that have a pretty good grasp of the basic clawhammer “bum ditty” rhythm and want to work on singing while playing the banjo. We’ll learn a classic banjo song then pare down that melody to focus on rhythm while singing.

3pm – 4pm
Professor Banjo Concert
Church – Upstairs
Paul Silveria
Perennial favorite, Professor Banjo, returns with fun and interactive music for kids and grown-ups. Listen, sing, dance, and play along!

3pm – 4pm
Songs of Addie Graham & Texas Gladden
Church – Main Sanctuary
Anna & Elizabeth

Learn a couple songs from each singer (they are from Kentucky and Virginia, respectively). Hear some stories about these great traditional singers that Anna & Elizabeth gleaned from their friendships with their families, and they’ll perform (but not teach) a few other songs from their repertoire. Sitting and chatting about grannies, hearing their songs and learning them! No sheet music provided. Learning by ear.


3pm – 4pm
Cajun Backup (Fiddle & Guitar)
Arbutus Folk School – Back Room

Karen England, Steve Perry, & Elena DeLisle
For fiddlers and guitarists. Learn about fiddle “seconding” and rhythm guitar. Karen England and Steve Perry will demonstrate and talk about playing chords on the fiddle and other aspects of backup. Elena DeLisle will cover the role of guitar and demonstrate some different chord shapes used in Cajun music.


4pm – 5pm
Beginner Old Time Fiddle
Church – Library
Anthea Lawrence

Just getting started on the fiddle? We’ll go over some basics of playing, and learn a simple tune!

4pm – 5pm
Beginner Old Time Rhythm Guitar
Church – Upstairs
Charmaine Slaven

We’ll tackle things from the ground up… from how to hold your guitar & pick, how to tune up your instrument, basic chords, and right hand strumming technique, and get comfortable switching from chord to chord, with the goal to be able to back up a (or several!) simple fiddle tune & song!


4pm – 5pm
Storytelling: Fine Times At Our House
Church – Sanctuary

Joe McHugh
Joe will share a Jack Tale and perhaps a tall tale and then discuss at what makes a told story work or not.

4pm – 5pm
Partner Dancing
Church – Koinonia Hall

Jack Dwyer
An intro to partner dancing for beginners and regulars alike. We’ll cover all the basic steps you’ll see out on the dancefloor, how to be better in your role as lead or follow, and some general do’s and don’ts.

4pm – 5pm
Cajun Jam
Arbutus Folk School – Back Room

Touloulou
Touloulou will host a jam and give participants a chance to play the tunes learned in the previous workshops.





Skip to content