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.

New Classes begin March 3rd!

Yep, another class session is coming up, and probably sooner than you expected. That makes this a great time to grab the class you want. Timing is especially important if you’re interested a class that usually fills up and has a waiting list. (The other advantage, of course, is the $10 early sign-up discount). Not sure what to take? If you want information about a particular class, leave a note at the desk for the teacher – you’ll hear back by phone or email. Or see the current term’s class in action; ask when and where the class is having its “big gig” at the end of the term.

If you have a flexible schedule, keep in mind that the School has adult classes during the day. For example, on Fridays you have your choice of four levels of guitar and two levels of harmonica.

Whatever day you take classes, see if your class time is right before or after “Second Half,” the teacher/student gathering held every day of the week. This is when you learn new songs and play music with teachers and students from other classes. Second Half is a school tradition; great fun!

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | February 17, 2008 | Comments (0)

Secret Menu Item of the Month

The Cafe, our mini-restaurant, has a secret menu. Better expressed, the Cafe offers special dishes. These are (quietly) named by Chef Miki in honor of the customers who always request them. In the interests of full disclosure, The Hot Times has from time to time disclosed one or more of these dishes.

This month, we not only reveal the special dish, but also add to transparency of the School’s administrative management. What follows is a key to the gustatory tastes of Robert Tenges, newly named Director of Education and Programs.

THE ROBERT TENGES: Green salad, Jerusalem salad, and ranch dressing with a scoop o’ tuna salad.

Who would have guessed?

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | February 17, 2008 | Comments (0)

You missed the U. of C. Folk Festival?

It was February 8-10. Think about attending next year. See “more” below for what you missed. « Read more »

Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | February 1, 2008 | Comments (0)

Recommended treatment for ear worms

Do you get earworms? Earworms can infect anyone, but old-time musicians probably have a corner on them. « Read more »

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | February 1, 2008 | Comments (0)

A Guitar Study Hall? Yep!

Admit it. You occasionally have questions or problems with your playing – something you don’t understand or that you want help on – but you’re not sure who to ask. Well, here’s the answer. On Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 pm we now have How Do I Play That? Our very own guitar guru Steve Levitt hosts these weekly hour long question and answer sessions. Come in with a question or issue you’re having with your guitar playing and walk away a better player! No need to register – in fact, you don’t need to be a student! Just come on down to room B7 on the lower level. It’s free.

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | February 1, 2008 | Comments (0)

Start the weekend with a Six String Social - 2-15 update

Have you stopped by a Six String Social? They’re held at the mothership, 909 W. Armitage, just a few steps from the El stop. These are song-circles/speciality workshops on a particular theme/performer/topic. Update: Friday, February 15th - Love Hangover w/Shelley Miller; February 22nd, Bible Belt Songs, w/Colby Maddox; February 29th, Bluegrass 101 with Simon Flory; March 14th, Vintage R & B with Barbi Silverman; March 23rd, Steve Earle songss with Jim Stacho. Always at 6:30! $5.

Filed under: Interesting at Old Town by Skip | February 1, 2008 | Comments (0)