RI Folk Festival -- Workshops

DANCING

INTRODUCTION TO FREESTYLE CLOGGING with Chris Bischoff
Have fun learning basic old-time clogging. Steps and styling will be covered as well as how to accompany old-time tunes. Become part of the music!
(Novice)

INTRO TO AMERICAN TAP DANCING with Elwood Donnelly
Come and try your feet at American Tap with the waltz clog made famous by the great Pat Rooney in the early days of Vaudeville. Welcome anyone who would like to give it a go.
(All Levels, Ages 9 and up)

AMERICAN CLOGGING with Aubrey Atwater
Also known as Flatfooting, Jigdancing, and Buckdancing, American Clogging is a percussive form of dance that precedes tap dance, with rythmic tapping of the feet traditionally danced to old-time fiddle tunes. Aubrey will teach Intermediate level clogging steps that she has picked up from dancers from around the US and Canada.
(Intermediate)

SINGING

GOSPEL SONG SING-A-LONG with Staff Musicans
Explore the wonders of old-time gospel songs. We will provide handouts, but feel free to offer some ideas of your own too. Bring your voice and/or the instrument of your choice. It is helpful to know basic chords.
(All Levels)

JOHN PRINE SING-A-LONG with Paul Dube
One of America's most beloved songwriters, John Prine writes beautiful songs that are easy and fun to play and sing. Paul will provide lyric sheets so everyone can get into the act.
(All Levels)

BLUEGRASS HARMONY SING-A-LONG with Carol Campbell and Dianna Tetreau
This workshop will cover the basics of harmony singing, dividing into two groups where one sings melody and the other harmony. Handouts will include the lyrics to familiar gospel and old-time traditional songs, as well as reference information for recommended harmony study.
(All)

INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION

AUTOHARP

AUTOHARP STRUM VARIATIONS with Heidi Cerrigione
Strum variations in both ¾ and 4/4 time, as well as beginning melody picking will be covered. The repertoire will be familiar melodies as well as common old-time tunes.
Keys: C,F,G,D,A
(Novice/Intermediate)

BASS

BEGINNING BASS with John Cerrigione
For students wanting to explore playing the Bass. Simple Bass pattern techniques and song accompaniment will be covered. Come and have a fun experience with a new instrument.
No Instrument required.
(Novice)

FIDDLE

MULTI-LEVEL FIDDLE JAM with Cathy Clasper-Torch
Using simple two-chord progressions and old-time riffs to a standard blues pattern, here's your chance to explore/improve your improvising skills, with fellow fiddlers—minus the intimidation.
(Intermediate)

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER POTPOURRI with Aubrey Atwater
The many possibilities of the mountain dulcimer are part of the beauty of this extraordinary American folk instrument. Aubrey will bring a variety of handouts and ask participants what they would like to do! Choices will include Chording & Singing, Playing in Different Tunings, Fingerpicking, Flatpicking Fiddle Tunes, Playing by Ear, Jamming, and Songs of Jean Ritchie/Using the Noter.
(Novice/Intermediate)

FILMMAKING

FOLK MUSIC DOCUMENTARY with Uriah Donnelly
Learn the process of making a folk music documentary with local filmmaker Uriah Donnelly. You will learn the three phases of film production: assembly, distribution, and exhibition, focusing mainly on what steps you need to take to produce an informative, but entertaining documentary. Included in this workshop will be a screening of Uriah's film, "Going up Home: the passion of Atwater-Donnelly."
(All)

JAM SESSIONS

BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME SLOW JAM with Heidi and John Cerrigione
Heidi and John will guide this jam session through a variety of Bluegrass and Old-Time tunes at a pace suitable for all. All instruments and voices are welcome.
(All Levels)

BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME FAST JAM with Paul Dube
Paul will guide this jam session through a variety of Bluegrass and Old-Time tunes. All instruments and voices are welcome.
(All Levels)

THEATRE

SWAMP MEADOW COMMUNITY THEATRE
William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is a comedy about illusion, deception, disguises, madness, and the extraordinary things that love will cause us to do - and to see. It contains a shipwreck, a love triangle, a Fool and several fools, secret identities, double entendres and the sorriest excuse for a duel ever staged. This SMCT production is designed to bring the play into vivid life for a 21st century audience without compromising the beauty or integrity of the Bard's language and imagination.

For more info, contact Elwood Donnelly at 401-392-1322 or info@rifolkfestival.org

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