AFTM • P.O. Box 49608 • Austin, TX 78765
AFTM • P.O. Box 49608 • Austin, TX 78765
Note: Times and workshops may may change. This page will be updated as information changes.
| Start Time | Workshop | Workshop Leader | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30 | Old-time Jam | Ellen Briggs Stansell | This jam is open to pickers of all levels, from the newest newbies to the crankiest old curmudgeons. We'll go around the circle when it's your turn, you can call an Old Time (Appalachian) tune you play and set the tempo, or if you like you can pass. Don't be shy, come and play! |
| Traditional Singing Games, Sing-Alongs & Other Musical Cavortings | Purly Gates | This workshop is especially geared to children ages 6-12, but all ages are welcome! Little feet will be moved by the Traditional American Play-Party songs & dances; hands will be clapping and voices singing along on fun, interactive songs. From decades of researching and collecting, Purly's repertoire is chock full of gems. Her ability as a multi-instrumentalist keeps young minds in awe. And Purly's long-time travellin' pal, Limber JACK, will be sure to please all. Purly Gates is a singer/songwriter/educator with a long and varied career. Currently, Purly's a regular member The Therapy Sisters. You can catch her with them every 2nd Friday at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe on E. Ben White, Austin. | |
| Flatfooting | Sharon Isaac | Flatfooting is a type of Appalachian step dance where the feet are kept close to the ground. Come and learn the basics! Sharon Isaac has taught all levels of clogging, as well as other traditional Southern Appalachian dance forms including Flatfooting, Smooth Mountain Dance, Kentucky Running Set and Big Circle Dances. | |
| 2:30 | Origins and Founding of the AFTM in 1974 | David Polacheck | A workshop/ panel discussion on the "Origins and Founding of the AFTM in 1974" lead by one of the AFTM founding members, David Polacheck |
| Animal Songs | Mark Gilston | A menagerie of traditional folk songs featuring critters large and small, real and imaginary. Mark Gilston has been singing and performing traditional American and European folk music for forty years. He is one of the most knowledgeable people in the country about traditional songs and ballads. Mark grew up in a musical family in New York and is also a prize winning dulcimer and concertina player. | |
| Intermediate Fiddle | Trent Shepherd | Learn about old-time fiddle playing with Trent Shepherd of Steelhead Stringband. | |
| 3:30 | Learn to Waltz | Keith Tuxhorn | Keith will lead you through the basics of waltzing accompanied by live music. |
| Beginner Blue Grass Jam | Steve Mangold | Jammin' skills for Beginners - what you need to know to start jammin' bluegrass-style". Steve Mangold has organized and led jams (i.e. the B.I.G. (Beginner, Intermediate Group) jam) for over a decade for the Central Texas Bluegrass Org. Steve, a fiddler/ bass/ guitar player and vocalist, has attended jams in Austin, San Antonio, Pearl, Fayetteville and Georgetown. His philosophy on jammin', "Don't worry about how well you can play, just go have fun and meet new friends". | |
| Old Folk Ballads - Accapella style | Seymour Snath | "Oh Don't You Remember Sweet Betsy from Pike?" We'll take well-known songs and delve into the mechanics of a capella ballad singing like choosing the right key, memorizing lyrics through visualization, diction/dialect, timing, dynamics, and vocal ornament. Bring a ballad you'd like to sing, and we'll have a song swap. | |
| 4:30 | Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo | Ellen Briggs Stansell | This workshop lead by Ellen Briggs Stansell is for Old Time banjo players who have learned the basics of right hand technique and want to tighten up their rhythm, get a more driving sound, and work on drop-thumbing. We'll cover double-thumbing if there's time. Bring your banjo. Bring a recording device if you wish. |
| Sacred Harp Shape Note Singing Workshop | Gaylon Powell | In this workshop, we will look to read shape notes and the basics of Sacred Harp singing. We will also sing some of the different types of Sacred Harp tunes -- singing the notes and the poetry. Gaylon Powell was raised in a family whose roots run deep in the Sacred Harp tradition of Central Texas. He has shared that tradition to others by teaching singing schools in Austin for most of his adult life. He has been recognized as one of Texas Folklife Resources' Master Traditional Artists, for which he has conducted apprenticeship and education projects. He has also taught singing schools in East Texas, Arkansas, and other areas of the United States. | |
| Beginner Ukulele Workshop | Brian Edward Rise | Brian Rise (Combo Mahalo band) leads a workshop for beginners on how to play the ukulele - Hawaiian and Jazz style. |