Folk School of Chattanooga » admin

Summer Schedule!

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:24:27 +0000

We have not one but two new batches of classes to announce! In July we’re featuring four weeks of old-time and blues classes, and in August we’re all about the bluegrass. Registration deadline for July classes is July 5, and for August classes is August 8. Most of these summer classes are aimed at the advanced-beginning level (beginners classes will be offered again in our 8-week Fall semester, starting September 20). We’re adding a few new instructors, Gordy Nichol on bass, Roy Curry teaching guitar, Laura Walker teaching singing, and Ed Huey for harmonica. Speaking of Ed Huey, he’ll be performing this Saturday afternoon, June 26, at the Folk School—and knowing Ed, it should be a really fun show! This and many other summer performances are listed on our Events page: http://chattanoogafolk.com/events

Chirps Smith and Dave Landreth

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:27:29 +0000

The Folk School of Chattanooga welcomed Chirps Smith and Dave Landreth, two wonderful old time musicians from the Midwest. They played last night at Stone Cup Coffee House, just one block away from the folk school. Stone Cup is a relaxing venue, where you can get a cup of coffee or tea, or a beer, and a really good sandwich. With the beautiful weather last night, they opened the garage door walls to the outside, clearing a view to the river and the Walnut Street Bridge. Lots of people came out to hear Chirps and Dave play, and some simply wandered in, lured by the sounds of the banjo and fiddle. There was singing, dancing, wild banjoing and fiddling, and a jam session back at the folk school afterward that stretched into the morning.

Our very own transatlantic sessions!

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:49:56 +0000

The music we heard wafting through the Folk School last week was wonderful! Tune after tune after tune, some Irish, some old time, some genuinely both. Fletcher Bright, Deirdre Ni Chonghaile, Joseph Decosimo, Ken Doyle, Mark Pitner, and Bob Chuckrow came together to rehearse for a house concert in Signal Mountain; a group of people so passionate about tunes and playing, that their “spare tunes” list was even longer than the set list itself! I’m glad that Chattanooga is the kind of city where this work can take place, where musicians from different countries can sit together and explore the common ground (and then stretch to learn something new from each others’ repertoire). It was such a clear picture of music as the catalyst for bringing strangers together as friends. What better reason to keep playing??

A visit from a great Irish fiddler

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:20:07 +0000

Deirdre Ní Chonghaile has arrived in Chattanooga, and will be teaching two Irish fiddle workshops on Saturday at the Folk School. The early workshop at 10am is for beginner/intermediate level, and the second workshop at 2pm is for intermediate/advanced players. Both will give students a chance to learn some Irish tunes and some of the ornamentation that gives Irish fiddling its distinctive sound. If you’d like to sign up for either (or both) of these workshops, give us a call at 423-827-8906. See our classes page for a full description.
Deirdre will also be joining in on the Irish session at the Tremont Tavern in North Chattanooga this Sunday at 6pm. The tunes will be flying!! Come check it out!

Our second concert: Joseph, Robert, Luke, and Kasey

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:19:06 +0000

Joseph Decosimo, Luke Richardson, Robert Heiskell, and Kasey Decosimo were meant to be performing in our second “rooftop” concert, but it ended up being an indoor concert because of the stormy weather. They played such beautiful music, and it was enjoyed by all who came to listen. It was a real treat!!

Lon Eldridge, Rooftop Concert

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:04:23 +0000

Lon Eldridge gave a very enjoyable performance for the Folk School’s very first rooftop concert on April 16th, 2010. He played two sets of music, including blues, ragtime, original, and Americana music. Lon will be teaching a blues slide guitar workshop on June 5th at the Folk School. If you would like to find out about future rooftop concerts, make sure you’re on our email list, or join our page on Facebook for invitations and announcements.

Our First Rooftop Concert

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:49:06 +0000

Lon Eldridge

Lon Eldridge, blues and Americana musician, will perform in our very first rooftop concert on Friday April 16th, at 8pm. ($10 suggested donation.)

The roof is a wonderful place with a magnificent view of Chattanooga, but we can only invite 15 people up at a time. So if you would like to get your name on our guest list for the concert on Friday, email us at music@chattanoogafolk.com with the answer to this question: Where is Robert Johnson buried?

Feel free to join us after 9:30pm for the after-party. No invitation necessary! Bring an instrument, a friend, and byob.

Also, don’t forget to register for spring classes and workshops at the Folk School. Lon will be teaching a blues slide guitar workshop on June 5th. http://chattanoogafolk.com/classes

Spring 2010 Schedule

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:03:03 +0000

The May/June full-color printable, shareable, tape-it-up-to-the-wall-at-work-and-school schedule can be downloaded here!

Details, class descriptions, and online registration can be found on our classes page.

Grand Opening–Friday, April 9th, 4-7pm

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:43:21 +0000

Folk School of Chattanooga, April 9, 4-7pm

Come see our new exhibit of fiber art at the Folk School!

Join us at 250 Forest Avenue for the Folk School of Chattanooga’s Grand Opening party. This will be a great opportunity for many of you to see our new building for the first time. We encourage everyone to bring their instruments; there will be at least one jam session to join in on, and maybe several more! Let’s fill this building with music for an afternoon and celebrate this new home for the Folk School. Everyone is welcome!

After the grand opening, we’ll head over to the Barking Legs for a wonderful concert to benefit the Friends of the Cumberland Trail. Here’s info about that event:

Barking Legs, April 9th, 7:30pm

Help the Friends of the Cumberland Trail preserve our region’s cultural and natural heritage by joining us at a benefit concert featuring Roane County fiddle masters Mike Bryant and Charlie McCarroll. Bring your music and dancing shoes because after a delightful evening of songs and fiddle music, all are invited to participate in a rousing square dance.

Kids Music Camps

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:02:01 +0000

Yes! The Folk School of Chattanooga will have music camps for kids in June and July. We know you and your kids have a lot of choices for summer camps in the Chattanooga area, but this is a great opportunity for your kids to work with traditional musicians and get hands-on experience with many different folk instruments, including banjo and fiddle!

Click here for more information.