American Roots Weekend - Workshops

Welcome to this weekend devoted exclusively to so-called “old-time” music! This genre brings together a wide variety of traditional music from the United States, with roots in country and bluegrass (but also related to rag, country blues, etc.).

During this weekend, you can follow a two-day course during which you can learn the techniques of Old-Time guitar, mandolin, singing, banjo, violin and Square Dance and Flatfoot.

The day of lessons will be divided into two: in the morning the trainees will be gathered by instrument and in the afternoon ensembles will be formed in order to fully live this tradition, this music being played above all in groups!

Registration does not include accommodation or meals. If you are looking for accommodation or would like to host participants during the weekend, please contact: marie@muziekpublique.be

With your course ticket, you have access to the activities/concerts organized on Friday and Saturday at Muziekpublique (at the Théâtre Molière).

You will be welcomed on Friday by an immersion in West Virginia. Annick Odom will introduce you to the ballads of this state, famous for these traditional songs passed down orally over generations. The evening will continue with the screening of the documentary Dance All Night – The Highwoods Stringband Story. Léo Divary will finally present the Sacred Harp, a style of a capella choral music that was developed in the United States in the 18th century. The evening will end with a Sacred Harp practice session in the foyer, followed by an ‘Old-Time’ jam session.

On Saturday, a teachers' concert will be organized in the foyer, followed by an 'Old-Time' ball (square dance).

Program:

Fri 24: Home + Event Friday Night – Intro ballads State of Virginia, Docu, Intro Sacred Harp & Jam session

Sat 25: Workshops + Event Saturday Night – Teachers’ concert + Ball ‘Old-Time’ (square dance)

Sun 26: Workshops

Workshop times:

9:30 a.m. – music lesson

12:30 p.m. – lunch break

2:00 p.m. – group lesson

5:00 p.m. – end of classes

Workshops premises:

All courses will take place at the Muziekpublique academy (Mabo: 22 Rue de la Braie, 1000 Brussels).

Workshops and teachers info:

Old-Time Guitar (Leo Divary)

Mandolin (Valentin Lallart)

Banjo Old-Time (Jérémie Fraboni)

Violin Old-Time (Lorcan Fahy)

Square Dance & Flatfoot (Darius Lecharlier and Steph Doe)

Old-Time Vocals (Annick Odom)