Alaska Folk Festival

2024 Workshop Schedule

Workshops

Last Update: May 12, 6:41pm

Saturday Workshops

	Main Stage
Sat. 10 - 11:30AM	Stagecraft Workshop for Musicians Lucy Peckham, Rick Miller, Mike Sakarias Learn how to use the stage equipment, mics, monitors, to your best advantage as a performer.

	Hammond Room	Hickel Room	Egan Room	Sheffield Ballroom	Cultural Center (JACC)
10:30 to 11:50	Ukulele for Everyone! Carole Marie Downing If you've ever felt like you aren't musical or think it's too late to begin an instrument, this ukulele workshop is for you! Designed for folks who are new to the ukulele and want to learn a few basics and walk away knowing a song or two.		How to Get the Most Out of a Song Laurie Lewis - 2024 AFF Guest Artist We will delve into basic performance, and how to make what it is you do have a greater impact on the listener/watcher. Though geared toward the singer, these are aspects that can enhance your performance instrumentally and make you a strong	Family Concert Emcee - Geoff Kirsch Bring the kids and the wiggles!
Noon to 1:20		How To Go Places With Your Art Ken Waldman Ken Waldman moved to Fairbanks in 1985, could barely fiddle, and had never written a poem. By 1995, he was Alaska' Fiddling Poet. Former Juneau, Sitka, Nome resident, he has 12 CDs, 20 books, tours nationally, and will share what he knows.	Old Time Fiddle Carter Bancroft I'll teach you a new fiddle tune with a focus on Old Time bowing techniques. We'll also cover topics in musicianship and how to go about learning this tradition on your own.	Couple Dance John Laskey a chance to improve on waltz, polka,etc. in a non didactic setting	Dance Calling Guest Caller T-Claw Want to learn to call square dances at parties, street festivals and other dance-worthy occasions? Well, we're hosting a workshop led by Elkins, WV-based T-Claw, one of today's most talented and creative young callers!
1:30 to 2:50	Doghouse Bass Q&A Haselden Ciaccio - Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands Bring your questions and ideas! Let’s talk about string choice, string changing, instrument set up and maintenance, different types of pick ups + amplification and more!	Banjo as Rhythm Instrument George Guthrie - Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands Explore the broader role of the banjo as a rhythm instrument in the bluegrass ensemble, as well as my approach to playing lead. Learn techniques to blend better with your band or jamming pals, and create satisfying textures that will make p	BLUEgrass Fiddle Brandon Godman - Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands This workshop will focus on ways to put the blue in your bluegrass fiddling. We will fiddlosophize about breaks, kick-offs, and backup. In this workshop, I will try to cater to the average experience level of the fiddlers present.	English Country Dance Odette Edgar Dance the historic dances of the English countryside and city ballrooms. Move to the delightful tunes of live music.	Louisiana Partner Dance The Daiquiri Queens Learn two-step, zydeco, and dancehall waltz. No experience necessary.
3:00 to 4:20	Blues Licks in E Burl Sheldon Helping developing players learn some basic Blues and Boogie-Woogie licks and how to extend the acoustic guitar's dynamic range and strengthen the Blues Feeling beyond chords. The workshop will mostly focus on the Key of E.	Old Time Banjo - Beginning Guest caller T-Claw Banjo with a claw-hammer approach.t. Learn how to make fun rhythmic music with a little right hand technique and minimal left hand dexterity. Bringing a banjo would be the way to get the best value out of this workshop.	Louisiana Twin Fiddling Kelli Jones and Blake Miller (The Daiquiri Queens) Louisiana twin fiddling in the style of Dennis McGee and more- bowing, chords, rhythmic seconding and counter melodies.	Family Dance Caroline Oakley The focus is on Simple easy to learn dances that everu age can enjoy. Live Band!	Zimbabwean Marimbas Betsy Sims and/or Jesse Larson Come learn a song on the Zimbabwean marimbas. There will be room for about 20 people to play. And even if we fill up, you can still come and listen :-)

Sunday Workshops

	Hammond Room	Hickel Room	Egan Room	Sheffield Ballroom
10:30 to 11:50	CANCELLED: Communal Singing The instructor will no longer be able to travel to Juneau and has cancelled this workshop.	CANCELLED: Kundalini Yoga 4 Music Heather Stewart The instructor will no longer be able to travel to Juneau and has cancelled this workshop.	French Ballad Singing Minnie McCracken, Jamie Lynn Fontenot, Kelli Jones Also known as ‘house music’, learn about the tradition of unaccompanied singing in Louisiana with The Daiquiri Queens. We'll listen to some recordings and learn a few of our favorite songs.	Dancing with the Spirit Kids Music Belle Mickelson and other DWTS staff Sing and learn to play guitar, fiddle, mandolin and ukulele with colored dots and fiddle tab just as we have been teaching in village schools for 18 years!. Bring your own instruments and/or try ours!
Noon to 1:20	Vocal Playground Carole Marie Downing Discover the magic of making music in the moment with vocal improvisation! Through a series of vocal play exercises, participants will learn how to create music together in a fun and lighthearted environment.	Having fun with Flat keys Michael Gray One more time everyone...this is gonna be the year! We will explore the fabulous world of flat keys on the fiddle. Yes indeed, there might be few whale beachings....but we will have fun!	Writing Lyrics that Want to Sing Marian Call Learn specific tools, tricks, and ways to toy with language so that your song lyrics will elevate your music and resonate with your listeners.	Instrument Swap AK Folk Fest Buy, sell, or trade with your fellow festivalgoers! Got an instrument that's been collecting dust or looking for something special? This might be the place!
1:30 to 2:50	Robert Johnson/Delta Blues Guitar Mark Heard A look at 3 Robert Johnson tunes and exploring his Delta Blues style on acoustic guitar	Crooked Tunes for all instruments John Hatton At least four fun crooked fiddle tunes in the keys of A, C, D, and G.	The best songwriting tools:Your Ears Robin Hopper We'll explore how to listen and create memorable lyrics that "grab" your audience. Pencils and paper will be provided – just bring your imagination, and your ears!	Instument Swap AK Folk Fest Buy, sell, or trade with your fellow festivalgoers! Got an instrument that's been collecting dust or looking for something special? This might be the place!