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Workshops

These are the teaching type workshops. For themed presentations see our Special Presentations page

(excludes dance workshops. See separate Dance Program page)

These are listed in the order they appear in the program

page updated 8th February, 2010

Sea Shanties – Gruel, Biscuits and Peas Saturday 10.15am Yuin A workshop detailing some background to various shanties with an emphasis on involving the audience singing in choruses as well as some simple harmony.     Contemporary Guitar - Daniel Champagne Saturday 11.30am The Crossing Guitarists wishing to learn some of the techniques that make Daniel’s playing so unique should not miss this workshop.             ‘Make Your Own Biscuit Tin Blues Machine’ (home made instruments) – Luke R Davies Saturday 11.30am Narira Presentation and discussion on making a cheap simple 3-string guitar, using biscuit tins, cigar boxes, items from op shops, etc. Workshop will include a display of several home-made instruments with discussion on ways to build and play them. Lots of laughs and fun to be had.   Banjo – John Taylor (bluegrass style) and Den Hanrahan (clawhammer style) Saturday 12.45pm Narira This workshop will feature the five-string banjo in folk and country music and the impact it has had with the drive of bluegrass music. Den will demonstrate ‘clawhammer’ style and techniques as played in Appalachian mountain music and how it has been adapted in more contemporary contexts and John will show the three-finger ‘bluegrass’ styles as originated by Earl Scruggs in 1945.  <John Taylor                                                                                                                                                       Den Hanrahan>        Accordion - Baz Cooper and Dave De Santi Saturday 2.00pm Narira Dave is probably best known as the long-serving director of the very successful Illawarra Folk Festival as well as being a member of one of the best bush bands in Australia – Wongawilli. Baz is performing at the festival in The Feral Brothers but is also well known for his wild Cajun accordion playing in the famous Allez-Gator band. Both are exponents of various styles of piano accordion playing which they will demonstrate and pass on tips to other players. < Baz Cooper                                                                                  Dave De Santi>      Voice - Moya Simpson Saturday 2.30pm The Crossing Moya Simpson (one half of Shortis and Simpson) has carved out a career built upon her extraordinary vocal versatility, comic timing and energetic delivery of whatever she takes on. She's sung songs of the Balkans in Mesana Salata and Martenitsa, toured for Musica Viva in acapella group ‘Girls In Your Town’ with Mara Kiek, Jarnie Birmingham and Margret RoadKnight, and trained with British singer and voice specialist Frankie Armstrong to develop her own voice workshop skills.      Moya’s voice workshops create a joyous, humorous and safe environment for vocal exploration, harmony and improvisation. Participants experience the delight of singing with others, using calls, chants and songs from a variety of cultures around the world. They can be for advanced singers or those who sing secretly in the shower. Even though this workshop is being held in the Crossing venue, it is not restricted to youth but open to everyone who wishes to experience the joy of singing.   Whistle - John Spillane Saturday 3.15pm Narira Fresh from organizing and leading the official attempt on the World’s Largest Penny (Tin) Whistle Band record through the Guinness World Records® organisation at the Illawarra Folk Festival, Johnny Spillane, whistle player par excellence, is here to pass on tips and techniques of playing this wonderful little instrument. John is performing at the festival this year as a member of two bands – Riogh and Wongawilli – and is a veteran of many other well known Illawarra-based bands such as Settlers Match and Madd Marianne. He is one of the finest whistle players around and has taught many people to play whistle through his popular workshops at festivals around Australia. Suitable for beginners.       Bluegrass - Department of Bluegrass Saturday 4.30pm Narira The Department of Bluegrass will be demonstrating and teaching how a bluegrass ensemble arranges its sound – particularly how the different instruments complement each other as part of the overall band sound.     ‘The Singer Within Us’ - Ian MacDougall Saturday 5.30pm Yuin "This workshop is aimed at those who would like to sing more, but feel shy, inhibited, or whatever. Most of it is practical singing but I start out with a brief introduction on why people are reluctant to sing and so many don't. This includes examination of some of the typical explanations (eg ‘I'm tone-deaf.’) Then I briefly talk about the obstacles, including those I found in my way when I was learning to sing. I taught myself singing. Along the way I have sung with a wide variety of individuals and groups: church singers, folksingers, and some noted performers. The method I finally found that worked is pretty much the one traditionally used by Pacific Island peoples. (No strings or sales pitches; all secrets freely revealed). All the songs I use are classic folk songs with choruses; the principle of repetition in learning. I hope people leave the workshop with more insight into their own possibilities and latent talents than they had at the beginning."   Intro to Blues Harmonica – Luke R Davies Saturday 5.45pm Narira A session for beginners with accomplished blues harmonica player Luke R Davies.   How To Tell a Story (the craft of storytelling) – Brian Hungerford Sunday 9.00am Yuin Everyone has a story to tell but there is a definite skill in being able to craft the story to lift it above the ordinary and have your listeners enthralled. Master storyteller Brian Hungerford is here to teach you some of those skills.   Latin American Percussion – Ken Vatcher Latin American Guitar – Dave Crowden Workshops: Sunday 9.00am Narira & The Crossing   Performance: Sunday 10.30am Brolga These two workshops will run concurrently and will culminate with a combined performance at the Brolga venue shortly afterwards in which the workshop attendees are encouraged to participate. [Participants of the Tango dance workshop immediately prior to the performance are encouraged to stay on and dance to the massed guitar and percussion performance of Latin American music]      The leaders of the workshops, Ken Vatcher and Dave Crowden, are both professional musicians and teachers at the Magpie School of Music, who share a passion for Latin American Music. In the percussion workshop Ken will take you through a variety of Latin American rhythms, on a number of different percussion instruments. In the guitar session, Dave will teach the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic nature of the samba, choros, milonga, salsa and cha-cha. Learn specific melodies and chord progressions and put it all together in a combined ensemble with percussion. Members of Guitarama will assist in the performance.      Percussion instruments will be provided (up to about 50), but guitars and other instruments will need to come with the participants.     Songwriting – Tony King Sunday 11.30am The Crossing Award winning songwriter Tony King (from Beautifully Mad) will be passing on tips to budding songwriters. Of particular interest to the Crossing youth audience but open to everyone who would like to improve their skills in songwriting.     Creative Writing Oasis - Kate Rowe Sunday 10.15am Narira Suffering from festival overload? Come and chill out for an hour with some simple creative writing exercises, led by songwriter Kate Rowe. BYO pen and paper.     Tricky Rhythms Made Easy - Bizerka Sunday 11.30am Narira Using their patented ‘ Rabbit, Rabbit, Elephant’ method, members of Bizerka demystify the more complex rhythms such as 7/8 and has participants sight-reading complex patterns such as 25/8 (yes, it exists!) within the hour. No instruments required. ‘The Fine Art of Acoustic Guitar’ - Nick Charles Sunday 12.45pm Narira An examination, discussion and demonstration of the wide range of acoustic guitar styles encompassing blues, folk and country. Fingerstyle, in particular, as well as traditional flatpicking will be covered.     Drumming – Bhaji Sunday 2.30pm The Crossing Explore the wonderful world of rhythm through drumming with Bhaji. BYO drum if possible.

 

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