Old Growth Old Time

October 10 - 13, 2024 - Seattle, Washington

2024 Schedule, Workshops, and Workshops Descriptions

Thursday Oct 10

Phinney Center Old-time Jam

2:00 to 4:00 pm 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle (Upper "Blue" Bldg.) Room 5 (Upstairs, elevator accessible) - steve.r.johnston@gmail.com https://sites.google.com/view/1st-3rd-thursday-old-time-jam

Contra Dance

Contra dance at the Latvian Center with Lake City Contra Dance! Doors at 7, into at 7:15, dance at 7:30. This is a weekly local event that is joning up with OGO.

Old-time jam with Janie Rothfield and Allan Carr

7 pm. Janie will lead this jam at Bruce Reid and Bonnie Zahnow’s house in South Seattle. Free admission, and there will be a tip jar for the jam leader. For the address and more information, send an email to jam@wbandbonnie.com.

Friday Oct 11 – Latvian Center – Doors open 3:00 pm

Friday Lounge Stage

5:45 – 5:15: Curb Climbers: Masters of Crookedy Tunes

6:20 – 6:50: Miriam Hacksaw

Friday Main Stage

7:00 – 7:30: Eclectic Cloggers

7:45 – 8:30: Canote Brothers

8:45 – 11:00: Square dance with Janie Rothfield and Her Fine Tuners, Alex MacLeod calling

Saturday Oct 12 – Latvian Center – Doors open 10:00 am

Saturday Main Stage

10:30 – 11:30: Canote Brothers

11:30 – 12:30: The Crankie Factory

Saturday Lounge Stage

5:45 – 5:15: Hog Dog

6:20 – 6:50: Grace Honeywell

Saturday Main Stage

7:00 – 7:45: Janie Rothfield and her Fine Tuners

8:00 – 8:45: Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons

9:00 – 11:00: Honky-tonk dance with Jack Dwyer & the Don’t-Have-A-Cow-Boys

Sunday Oct 13

Potluck Brunch & Cabaret – late morning. Timing is approximate.

Private residence – address will be provided to festival attendees. A few stairs to front entrance.

Shape Note Singing

3-5 pm at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Room 36 in the brick building at 6615 Dayton Ave. N.

Jam at Couth Buzzard Books

6:30 – 8:45 pm. This is a led jam. Janie Rothfield will lead the tunes on fiddle, with Allan Carr on guitar. 8310 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103

Workshop Schedule - Friday and Saturday

Friday Workshops
TimeTopicArtistRoom
3:30-4:30Intro to CloggingEclectic CloggersBallroom
3:30-4:30Fiddle-Rhythm and GrooveJanie RothfieldConference Room
4:45-5:45Square Dance CallingAlex MacLeodBallroom
4:45-5:45Banjo-Two-finger pickingMorgan JohnConference Room
Saturday Workshops
TimeTopicArtistRoom
11:45-12:45Fiddle-Songs from KeralaMiriam HacksawConference Room
1:00–2:00Fiddle-Driving Old Time TunesJanie RothfieldBallroom
1:00-2:00Banjo-West Virginia tunesCandy GoldmanConference Room
2:15-3:15SongwritingGrace HoneywellBallroom
2:15-3:15Guitar-Alternative chords and bass runsAllan CarrConference Room
3:30-4:30Fiddle-Intro to Calico TunesGreg CanoteBallroom
3:30-4:30Old-time Backup GuitarJere CanoteConference Room
4:45-5:45Honky-Tonk 2-StepBryan Sera & Emily NaftalinBallroom
4:45-5:45Fiddle-Vary that thing!Tony MatesConference Room

Workshop Descriptions

Intro to Clogging – Eclectic Cloggers

This beginning clogging workshop will cover a few basic steps and include a little history of this traditional dance form. We look forward to showing you how much fun it is to combine the percussion of Appalachian clogging with the old-time music we all love.

Rhythm and Groove – Janie Rothfield

This class will show you how to add musicality and rhythm to your playing focusing on the all-important bow! Janie will show you how to use advanced bowing techniques and rhythms to gussy up your playing! Intermediate and up.

Square Dance Calling Quick Start Workshop – Alex MacLeod

Unlock a new super power - square dance calling - in just one hour! We'll call a figure or two together, finding timing, rhythm, and helpful words. We'll talk about how to practice, how to build repertoire, and where to look for your first opportunity to call for real. You can do it!

Old-timey two-finger banjo picking - Morgan John

We'll use a couple of simple Arthur Smith songs to get the hang of thumb-lead two-finger banjo picking. One is in waltz time. If we have time, we'll also go over a simple modal banjo tune to tackle a bit of melody work. No picks needed, just your fingers and your 5-string.

Songs from Kerala: Inheriting Ancestral Music through the Fiddle – Miriam Hacksaw

Many mixed people and children of diasporas integrate into musical cultures that differ from their ethnic culture. In an effort to bridge that gap for her family, Miriam has taken songs from Kerala, India, collected from her extended Malayali family, and reinterpreted them through her American fiddle style. We will learn a tune, and discuss how the fiddle can help immigrant families stay connected to their ancestral cultures. Bring the instrument of your choice, but this workshop will be centered around the fiddle.

Driving Old Time Tunes – Janie Rothfield

Janie will show you how to add more drive and power to your old time playing-focusing on a few of her favorite tunes from "Uncle" Norm Edmonds and others. Intermediate and up.

West Virginia Banjo Tunes – Candy Goldman

Come learn some of Candy's favorite West Virginia claw hammer banjo tunes.

Songwriting – Grace Honeywell

Interested in writing songs but not sure where to start? Been writing songs but hungry for some new tips and tricks? In this interactive workshop, we will discuss storytelling, song writing, and navigating this dynamic thing called creative output. Open to folks of all levels.

Alternative Chords and Bass Runs for Old Time Guitar – Allan Carr

Learn how (and when) to add alternative chord shapes and connective bass runs to add color and rhythm to your old-time guitar playing! With the help of fiddler Janie Rothfield, you can hear and try out these techniques on some fun tunes in a variety of keys. Bring a capo, guitar, flatpick and recording device!

Intro to Calico Tunes on the fiddle – Greg Canote

We’ll get a taste of Greg’s favorite alternate tuning- AEac# or GDgb. Learn to sweep across the strings or throw in some left hand pizzicato. Possible tune choices: Gwine Down the Valley and Choctaw Bill.

Old time Back-up Guitar – Jere Canote

We’ll work on making good bass note and chord choices, and tricks for knowing when to change chords.

Honky Tonk 2-Step – Bryan Sera & Emily Naftalin

Honky-tonk dancing is a mix between East-coast swing and Texas 2-step. It’s perfect for dancing to country music when you don’t have enough room for a progressive dance (like Texas 2 step). We will learn the basic footwork and 2-3 fun moves. No experience or partner required.

Vary that thing! – Tony Mates

Learn all about subtle ways of changing a tune without losing its soul. Open to any melody instrument and a skill level sufficient to play some tunes. Fiddle tuned GDAE.