Hot Times at Old Town

Appearing below are selections from the hard copy Hot Times. The objective is to highlight activities at the School and in the larger community, especially those featuring or of special interest to teachers and staff. Your suggestions are welcome. Enter a comment (under any item); it will come to me rather than automatically appearing.

Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands!

Armed with jugs, washboards, kazoos, and other musical weaponry, jug bands of all sizes and descriptions will be clashing at the Third Annual Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands on Saturday, November 13th. Proceeds will support purchase of grave markers for Joe and Charlie McCoy, blues/swing pioneers, now in unmarked pauper’s graves at the Restvale Cemetery.

This year’s battle will be held at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, west of the Old Town School, just south of Lawrence Avenue. Last year the crowd at a Rogers Park venue was so big that the place was packed; newcomers were admitted only when someone else left. (The previous year the bar had to send out to another tavern to get additional glasses). The Irish Heritage Center “Fifth Province” room and the adjacent area is much larger, with space for 350.

The 2009-2010 winning band, Strictly Jug Nuts, was decided by audience vote, using ballots designed to replicate those in Chicago municipal elections; but, ironically, with no sale of votes. The Irish venue (which includes an authentic Irish pub) is a nod to Chicago’s tradition of saloon politics.

This year’s battle promises to be no less energetic and (musically) contentious. Bands currently scheduled include The Barehanded Jug Band, the Hump Night Thumpers, Strictly Jug Nuts, and others. Providing an overture to the battle itself will be Boo Bradley, the two-man jug attack from Mad Town, Wisconsin at 7 pm, followed by successive waves of 15 minute sets by other bands beginning at 8 pm.

The winning band will have their name engraved on the travelling trophy, the “Stuffy”: a handsome, gold-painted old sausage maker, mounted on a no less handsome wooden board, both appropriate for public display and bragging rights. Other bands will have their music emblazoned only on the air in the room at the time of their performances, and will be left with nothing but hope, looking forward to future years, future battles, and to memories of their participation in this momentous occasion in Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands history.

Volunteers are being sought for musical MP duty at the door, to collect the $7 admission fee, to welcome the arriving battle groups, and check for concealed electric guitars, keyboards, and digital aps.

Inquiries may be directed to Skip Landt, (773) 604-4115.

Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | October 16, 2010 | Comments (0)

It’s almost like playing the jug….

Josin z Bazin

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=v9MTGNaEXGM

This thirty-year old clip by Poland’s “The Banjo Band” (led by Ivan Mladek) has developed a substantial youtube following. If the “jug” sound were not enough, the sheer zaniness of the song is excuse enough to view this clip. The lyrics: a man driving his 100 year old car through a foreign country learns from an inebriated mayor that a bog-based monster (Joseph from the Bog) is terrorizing the area. The Mayor offers this potential hero both the hand of his daughter in marriage and one half of the “National Agrarian Farm.” The task is accomplished by dropping a white powdered manure on the creature. (Our thanks to jug bander Dave Richoux for this info).

Note the use of a wine glass in a unique, vaguely-musically related manner, and the way most members of the band play straightfaced in the manner of American back country old-timey bands of yesteryear.

Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | October 4, 2010 | Comments (0)

Old Time Jug Band Extravaganza!

concert flyer - email

Join us at the School on Sunday, October 3rd, for a concert of hot U.S. jug bands including Chicago’s Bare-handed Jug Band, the NY-Based Second Fiddles, and the School’s own Hump Night Thumpers.

The occasion: honoring the McCoy Brothers, whose local resting place remains unmarked. Our hope is to raise enough to underwrite purchase and installation of appropriate gravestones — and to have a night of great music!

From string band music in Mississippi to country blues in Memphis to jump blues in Chicago, Joe and Charlie McCoy played important roles in several musical genres. Their careers not only mirrored the “great migration” of African-Americans to the north, but also the development of African-American music from its rural roots to the foundations of rock and roll. After 20+ year careers, they both died in Chicago in 1950 and were buried in unmarked graves. This project seeks to purchase grave markers for both of them and to raise awareness of their music.

Weekend events include:

• First Friday blues/jug band jam with former teacher Arlo Leach, who organized this concert;
6:30 to 8:30 pm on Friday, October 1st.
• Sunday – Papa Charlie McCoy Blues Mandolin workshop with John Hasbrouck, 1-2:30 pm
• Sunday – Kansas Joe McCoy guitar workshop with Chris Walz, 2-3:30 pm
• Sunday “Body percussion” workshop with Sule Greg Wilson, 3-4:30 pm
• Sunday Restvale Cemetery walking tour with Steve Salter

Tickets for Sunday’s concert and for the workshops are available at oldtownschool.org or by calling (773) 728-6000.

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town,Uncategorized by Skip | September 18, 2010 | Comments (0)

Learn to play the jug!

As w’re in the midst of a jug-band revival, you may have wondered how some folks get such great sounds out of a jug or a bottle. It’s not by blowing across the top (as one website claims), but by aiming right into the middle of the hole.

But rather than my telling you, check out the video newly posted on youtube, the first of a series of jug lessons: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=5GcZdOJJIXk

Then, to apply your jug (or other) skills, think of signing up for Jonas Friddle’s jug band class, Wednesday nights at 8 pm.

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | May 29, 2010 | Comments (0)

Laughter is the best medicine – Laughter Workshops

Yes, National Laughter Day was Sunday, May 2nd. But in the world of traditional music, dance, and culture, a couple weeks is like the twinkling of an eye. Accordingly, the School’s Laughter Workshop in honor of National Laughter Day was held a couple weeks alter.

Coordinating the activity was Judith Sample, a wonderful percussionist and superb leader of laughter workshops. Judith had given a free workshop at the School a couple months ago. The occasion was a First Friday, and the workshop drew perhaps 30 people. Afterwards, paper was passed around for comments; more than 20 stayed to write enthusiastic comments and urging that she’d return to do a workshop — and so we did!
All you need to know is that these workshops are NOT based on telling jokes — nor on telling you to “go ahead and laugh.” Yet you come out of the workshop having laughed hard, feeling wonderful, relaxed, and with a smile on your face. And you’ll realize how much you needed to laugh.

What fun! Watch for her next one, here or elsewhere!

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | May 2, 2010 | Comments (0)

Teacher Gigs

Weekly Gigs

Tuesdays – The Sanctified Grumblers (Rick Sherry & Eric Noden), old-time blues, jazz, The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. 8:30 pm. (Note the earlier starting time: they’re hot!)

Thursdays – Jim Conway, Honky Tonk BBQ, 1213 W. 18th St, (between Racine Ave and Allport St), Pilsen. (312) 226-7427. 7:30 pm

Single Shows

Saturday, May 29th – Jim Conway, Celtic Crossings Chicago, Il. 9pm
Saturday, June 12th – Jim Conway, Love of Hops Beer Fest Warrenville, Il
Saturday, June 26th – Jim Conway, Celtic Crossings Chicago, Il. 9pm
Thursday, July 15th – Jim Conway, Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, Il
Thursday, August 5th – Jim Conway, Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, Il
Friday, October 8th -Jim Conway, Marriot Lincolnshire
October 19th-24th – Jim Conway, Les Harmonicales Festival FRANCE

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | March 20, 2010 | Comments (0)

Learning the easy way

It’s true — there’s an easy way to learn guitar, or mando, or fiddle or harmonica or any instrument. Better yet, it doesn’t involve practice!

The secret is by playing your instrument for fun. That’s what jamming is about. OK, you do need to begin by learning some basic techique and maybe a few chords. But after that — start attending jams! When you’re with others, playing and singing, the time zips by. You don’t think as much about your playing, and that makes it more enjoyable. Jams at the Old Town School focus on easy songs; sometimes from the songbook, sometimess requested by a student, sometimes suggested by the jam leader, who provides the chords. Everyone’s welcome, even if you’re not taking a class!

Here are some weekly jams at the School’s two locations:

LINCOLN

Wednesdays: 12 pm-2 pm — all ages, all instruments welcome! Have lunch!
Old Town School, 4544 N. Lincoln
USUALLY the concert stage or down the stairs by the Strummer (warm weather: in the courtyard!)

Thursdays; 7 pm- 10:30 pm – mostly adults, but all welcome!
Old Town School, 4544 N. Lincoln
Usually the concert stage; come before or after class!

ARMITAGE

Saturdays: 12-1 pm
Old Town School, 909 W. Armitage.
First floor; bring your songbook if you have one
Open Jam, all ages and instruments welcome. It’s fun, come share your tunes with us!

But also remember Second Half — the half-hour jams held on most class days. These are teacher-led and usually involve playing and singing five or six songs, from the songbook or brought in by a teacher. Lincoln:
Mondays at 11:30 am and 9:30 pm, Tuesdays at 9:30 pm, Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 11:30 am,
Saturday at 12:30 am, Sunday at 1:30 pm. Armitage: Mondays at 9:30 pm, Tuesdays at 9:30 pm, Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 1:30 pm.

None of these times work for you? Create your own jam! Meet regularly with your friends to play and sing together. Many jams are set up like song circles; each person leads a song, suggests a song, or “passes.”

If you’re interested in jams outside the school — or elsewhere in the country, as when you’re on vacation –
check out folkjam.org. Jams are not only a wonderful way to learn music, but also one of the best ways to make new acquaintances at the same time!

Filed under: Uncategorized by Skip | March 1, 2010 | Comments (0)

Strictly Jug Nuts Pre-Game Superbowl Show

Power yourself into Superbowl Sunday with this special, rough-and-tumble Pre-Game Jug Band Show!

Jugs, washboard, kitchenware, kazoos, washtub bass, and all manner of instruments will be sounding when Strictly Jug Nuts presents its Pre-Superbowl Show at the Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N. Lincoln Avenue at 2 pm on Sunday, February 7th. There will be old songs, new songs, and chances for you to jump in and play along with us. This show of good-time music will celebrate the band’s victory at the 2009 Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands — and will be our send off to the Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands, which is the following week.

The Lincoln Restaurant has wonderful food, drinks, and nice folks running it. And afterwards — stay around and see the Super Bowl or head home. (The game doesn’t begin until 6:30, so you have lots of time).

The 2009 winners of the Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands will be present in full jug band regalia!

Filed under: Uncategorized by Skip | January 16, 2010 | Comments (0)

Watch Aztec Ruins vanish at OTS!

Keep alert! These ruins will disappear right before your eyes! (And will fill yer stomach!)

Aztec Ruins are Tina’s newest combination at the Cafe. And what a mix! Picture this: the hot and spicy choriso rice (rice, choriso, red bell peppers, onion) topped with tuna salad (tuna, mayo, lemon juice). The effect of the spicy rice, served hot, with cool, comforting tuna from the fridge is amazing, almost addictive!

We’ve consulted labeling authorities and are told that this combination totals 604 calories and 18.5 grams of fat, plus various amounts of carbs and those other grammish things they put on labels. But, most important, Aztech Ruins are a whole bowlful of great eating! Tip: they’re available whenever you see choriso rice on the menu.

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | January 16, 2010 | Comments (0)

Jug band at Jan 8th First Friday!

Late note:

Strictly Jug Nuts, winners of the 2009 Battle of the Jug Bands, will be the opening act for the First Friday concert on Friday, December 8th – 9 pm! This is the band that won the Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands in November, and that was the featured act at the December First Friday.

“Late last Friday my gal said to me/
If you can’t play the jug you can’t play wth me”

More and more, men all over Chicagoland are hearing and getting this message! So better find out about this new (old) kind of music! (and see below!)

Filed under: Uncategorized by Skip | January 6, 2010 | Comments (0)


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