Don’t miss the 45th annual Takoma Park Folk Festival! Sounds from old-time fiddle, bluegrass, folk-rock and Afro-Latin fusion fill the air as dozens of artists perform on six stages. Shop for handcrafted items such as jewelry, quilts, pottery and soap. The festival also includes children’s activities and food from around the world.
Tag Archives: folk music
Greg Rekus and Teething Veils
Join us for an evening at the Gazebo with songwriters Greg Rekus (on tour from Winnipeg!) and Teething Veils. Greg Rekus “plays acoustic guitar and sings and dances around on a 4 x 4 x 1 stage with tamborines mounted to it.” Teething Veils (guitarist/vocalist Greg Svitil) plays soft, reflective songs for solo acoustic guitar and voice.
Ruthie and the Wranglers at Carroll Cafe
Come join the music and fun as Carroll Cafe welcomes back Ruthie and the Wranglers to our stage. With over 30 WAMMIES, you don’t want to miss their heavenly harmonies and range of styles.
Fusing the Music From China To Appalachia and Beyond
Part workshop, part masterclass, the program will give a detailed view of their instrumentation, particularly the lesser known Yanqin (Chinese Hammered Dulcimer), along with five-string banjo, cello banjo, gourd banjo, mandolin, ukulele and percussion. The band will co-show how they fuse their eclectic musical instruments and ideas for both an arranged piece and an improvised piece of music. If people bring instruments, they will teach 1 Chinese tune that easily adapts to American old-time instruments. Q & A to follow and a last tune.
Takoma Open Spark
7112 Willow Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 | signup at 6.30pm, music at 7pm
This is the rarest of all things – a listening room open mic!
Sponsored in conjunction with Institute of Musical Traditions and School of Musical Traditions at SMT’s new lesson space in Takoma Park, we’ve got a small room for performances and we’re not afraid to use it. This is NOT a restaurant so bring your own food or drink if you want to eat or drink! (no alcohol please, and of course please clean up after yourself). House keyboard in the house. The night is free to attend, but we hope that you’ll support our featured artist with tips and adoration. Scroll back to the top of this page for our next feature…
We’re not big enough for amps or drumkits, so don’t bring’em. 2 songs, 10 minutes, 1 pun – whichever’s shorter. Webcasting Live on Facebook.com/robsopenmics, YouTube.com/robsopenmics and Twitch.tv/ilyaimy.
Carroll Cafe presents Phil Wiggins w/ Hubby Jenkins!
Carroll Cafe is so happy to be re-opening our venue with two amazing performers – Phil Wiggins, who will rock the house with his nationally recognized harmonica playing, and Hubby Jenkins, formerly of The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Appearing together recently, they are bringing their talent to our stage. Mark your calendars and make your reservations for what is sure to be a sold out show on Friday, October 13th! Reserve your seat/s: https://carrollcafe.seekerschurch.org/2023/09/phil-wiggins-hubby-jenkins/ Door will open at 7.
Please note: we will no longer be serving food & drinks. You are welcome to bring your own, drinks should be non-alcoholic please, and you must bring your own containers to take home with you – thanks for your understanding.
Youth Fiddle Club
4th Monday of every month (starting September 25), 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST
Practice playing fiddle tunes in a group and learn new ones – bluegrass, old time, or Celtic – bring what interests you! Build back up skills like chunking, chords, and drones.
Drop in once or keep coming and…
– Make new friends or form a band
– Listen or play as much as you want in this non-competitive, welcoming atmosphere
This club meets the 4th Monday of every month and is open to 8–18 year-olds at any skill level.
Students are encouraged to stay and watch master jammers in the fast adult jam, Get Yer Lonesome On!, at 7 PM.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
$20 per meeting
Beginning Bluegrass Guitar with Justin Heath
Sunday, September 24, 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST
This course is designed to give you all the tools you need for playing bluegrass guitar. Starting with some fundamental exercises to develop your flatpicking technique, you’ll learn how to play bluegrass accompaniment and lead, and how to apply those principals in popular bluegrass repertoire. By the end of the class, you will have a good idea of how to approach new bluegrass tunes in a jam setting.
Age 14+
In addition to the 2 hour workshop, students will receive a pdf containing the material and links to youtube videos.
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be cancelled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
$50 Workshop
https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/classes-workshops/beginning-bluegrass-guitar-w-justin-heath
Back-to-School Violin Brush Up
Thursday, August 31, 4:00 – 5:00 PM EST
Practice much over the summer?
Starting violin in a later grade than many kids in the orchestra?
Need reminders about note reading?
Want to improve skills you already have?
This class will get you ready for a new school year of violin playing!
This class is open to 4th-7th graders (students outside of this grade range should speak to us prior to registration).
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be canceled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
$40 Workshop
https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/classes-workshops/back-to-school-violin-bush-up
Learn to Sing with Nick Cameron
Thursdays, September 7, 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Recital TBA
Learn how to use your voice in a stress-free environment. Over the course of 6 sessions, we will cover the anatomy of the voice, warmups and stretches, how to use your vocal instrument and breathe with proper technique, and how to deliver an engaging performance. The class will practice singing a song as a group, and those who wish to develop a solo will have the no-pressure option to do so. Beyond developing your singing skills, this class will strengthen your speaking voice and improve your confidence.
The class will culminate in a casual performance; details determined with group input at the first class.
This class is open to new and returning students and features an extra 30 minutes at the first session for the new students. Students under the age of 12 should speak to us prior to registration.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be cancelled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
$200 for 6 sessions
https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/classes-workshops/learn-to-sing-w-nick-cameron
Bluegrass Class with Cherry Blossom Special
Thursdays, September 7, 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST
Recital TBA
Learn how to play in a bluegrass ensemble with other beginner-to-intermediate musicians! Come with your fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, or bass – or the willingness to learn a new instrument. With the guidance of Cherry Blossom Special (with SMT teachers, Mari Carlson, Justin Heath, and Nick Cameron), you will learn how to play and sing with proper technique, blend in a group on your instrument and voice, and prepare for a performance.
This class is open to middle school age students and above (students under the age of 12 should speak to us prior to registration).
The class will culminate in a recital, in which the group will be the opening act for Cherry Blossom Special. Come join the band!
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
Students may elect to rent an instrument from the House of Musical Traditions, depending on availability.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be cancelled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
$200 for 6 sessions
https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/classes-workshops/bluegrass-class-w-cherry-blossom-special
Bluegrass Vocal Harmony with Ira Gitlin
Wednesdays, September 20, October 4, 18, November 1, 7:30 – 8:30 PM EST
Vocal Harmony is one of the glories of bluegrass music, whether on stage or in a jam session. This four-session class will offer an introduction to bluegrass vocal harmony. If you’ve never sung harmony before, we’ll demystify the subject and look at how harmony works in general. And if you’re already singing harmony, we’ll look at some of the distinctive ways bluegrass handles it, so you can sound more authentic and add your voice to any bluegrass situation. (Feel free to bring an instrument.)
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
We are following the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for health and safety. Students are encouraged to wash hands upon arrival.
REGISTRATION POLICY
We require a minimum of 3 attendees for all group classes & workshops. Classes will be canceled if we have not met the 3-person minimum 72 hours in advance of the start time.
In the event of a cancellation, you may choose between either (1) a full refund, or (2) a full credit to private lessons or a future workshop.
$150 for 4 sessions
https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.square.site/product/bluegrass-vocal-harmony/146