Whether you want to improve your technique or simply learn more about the motivation and musical sources of the range of musicians you’ll hear over the weekend, here (below) are some chances to learn how it is done from Festival guests and other experienced practitioners.
See the dance programme and opportunities to join in pages for more chances to take part in activities.
SATURDAY
Ringing Bells or Howling Wolves? – music of Bulgaria, with Accapollinations
Saturday 11:00am, Maire Hall
“Like Ringing Bells & Howling Wolves” - Interferential Bulgarian Diaphony - learn striking two-part traditional songs, from the extraordinary villages of Nedelino (Rodope Mountains) & Bistritsa (Shopluk). These remarkable places are home to UNESCO living treasure traditions, which Tui will reverently share her knowledge of, inspired by her time in Bulgaria, studying with living legends.
Impromptu songs of a JAM Sandwich, with Forgettable Michele of Jam Sandwich
Saturday 1pm, Maire Hall
Unknown as ‘Forgettable Michele’ or the ‘And Michele’ of JAM, Michele has been in the blackboard audience scene for many years, occasionally stepping up to entertain charity groups when pressed.
Known for her kazoo playing and chicken impersonations, she brings colour and a wee bit of humour to her time spent hovering around stage. A storyteller at heart, Michele will bring songs from childhood to death for your participation, songs she has picked up along the way or written on the spot when prompted by circumstance.
A wannabe musician, she requests you bring an open mind and enthusiasm to her workshop, as this is a perfect platform to extract yourself from the shaded seats to the spotlight.
Open Tunings, with Pat Higgins of The Kist
Saturday 2:00pm, Nelson Lounge
Tips and tricks for non-standard guitar tunings with Pat Higgins. Step away from the shore (standard tuning) to the unknown and unfamiliar ocean that is open tunings. The hard part is adopting an elastic brain to be open to new shapes and be comfortable being lost.
Belting Shanties, with Poneke Shanty Club
Saturday 2:45pm, Maire Hall
Your chance to learn some shanties. The team from Poneke Shanty Club will offer their greatest “hits”. All you have do is sing along – as loudly as you like, and approximately in tune. This is the perfect introduction to group singing for those who are not necessarily strong singers, but just fancy the idea of leaping in and belting it out. More fun than a barrel of monkeys and almost as good looking.
SUNDAY
Writing Better Songs, with Elyssa Vulpes
Sunday 12:30pm, Nelson Lounge
Want to write better lyrics? Elyssa will share some of her song-writing learnings, with a focus on lyric writing.
Here we come a-wassailing! with Celtic Ferret
Sunday 1pm, Maire Hall
Everyone knows at least one wassail song………..don’t they? But have you ever wondered what it’s all about? What are the origins? What is a wassail? Is it pagan? Where do the Anglo-Saxons fit in? Answers to these questions (and more!) will be revealed by Celtic Ferret at their full immersion exploration of all things wassail.
Building on the success of their Dogs and Ferrets workshop, this time they bring you more songs from the tradition and a good helping of fun and frivolity assisted in no small measure by the contents of the wassail bowl (hic!).
Keep your eyes (and apples) peeled for the apple tree at the sign of the Wassail Inn somewhere in the festival grounds. Then join Jean and Ian at their workshop (time and place below) – you won’t regret it!
Balkan Music, with Vox Ethno
Sunday 2:45pm, Maire Hall
A demonstration of different rhythms, singing and styles of music from the Balkan region and other parts of Europe.
Acapella singing, with Rose Whinray
Sunday 3:30pm, Nelson Lounge
An introduction to acapella singing. It’s not as hard as it might look. This session will get you on the road. Rosie will show you …
Sparrows of Kabul, with Fred Smith
Sunday 4:00pm, Main Tent
In this special Sunday themed concert workshop presentation, Fred will present his renowned work “Sparrows of Kabul”, an extraordinary multimedia song cycle on the West’s Afghanistan intervention, culminating in the evacuation from Kabul International Airport in August 2021.