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.

Pete Seeger’s request

Listen to Pete Seeger on this (see at the bottom of this article).

Sing Out! has been an amazing publication for sharing information, perspectives, and skills within the folk music community for generations. Pete was one of its founders, writes a column for it, and cares deeply about keeping it around

Started back the early folk-movement days, Sing Out’s not-for-profit parent organization is fighting for its life: this puts at risk a number of wonderful resources: “Rise Up Singing,” Sing Out! Radio Magazine, and Pete’s newly revised autobiography “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” Sing Out! has always operated close to the bone financially, but recent economic conditions, along with the current state of the print periodicals, have come together to put the very existence of the magazine and organization in real danger. If you care about folk music, help us support one of its community’s strongest voices and allies.

Check out Pete’s message at: http://www.singout.org/donate.html

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | November 30, 2009 | Comments (0)

Highlighted Teachers’ gigs, 1-3-10 update

Highlights (only!) for your calendar:

EVERY TUESDAY! – Rick Sherry and Eric Noden, The Sanctified Grumblers, The Hideout, $5 suggested donation. 9:30 ’til midnight-ish

4th TUESDAYS of the Month! – The Pickin Bubs, The Grafton Pub – 4530 N. Lincoln Avenue. www.thegrafton.com 773 271-9000. 9:45 pm

EVERY WEDNESDAY! Scott Besaw hosts an open mike at the Bad Dog Tavern (4535 N. Lincoln, across from the School). Signup begins at 8 pm, the show starts at 9 pm.

EVERY FRIDAY! Steve Doyle w/The Hoyle Bros, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 5:30-7:30 pm.

  • Sunday, January 10th – Mark Dvorak, Ed Holstein, Jim Craig and the Pickin’ Bubs, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue 773 728-6000. 4 pm.

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere, Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | November 16, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Old Town Students In Musical Comedy

    They rocked years ago — and rock again today!

    That’s the subject of “The Dreamers,” a new, original one-act musical comedy about a band of aging rockers aspiring to the big time. The show features several current and past Old Town School students: Steve Bishop, Larry Hazard, Norm Kantor, Bill Lange, Marge Weber, Jim Regan, and Donna Steele, All are products of the School’s music programs — which goes to show how those hours of developing skills can pay off. (Being a band member is fun, but the thrill of the footlights is a special joy!)

    “The Dreamers” will be presented at the Apollo Theater in October. It’s a production of Time of Your Life players, directed by Avrum Krause and underwritten by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly. The Time of Your Life Players is a respected theater group that has produced shows for the past several years. See www.timeofyourlifeplayers.com .

    The Apollo Theater is at 2540 North Lincoln Avenue. Shows will be every Wednesday and Friday at 2 pm, October 7th through 30th. For Tickets: Call the Apollo Theater box office at 773-935-6100 or their website: www.apollochicago.com.

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | August 13, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Sing for Yer Supper

    This great idea is back!

    Each week John Abbey brings together a few different musicians for some informal, good time music; they trade songs and instruments, and everyone has a good time. If you feel like playing or singing a tune, contact John!

    The fun takes place Sundays, 4 – 6 pm at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon. Note: Uncommon Ground is a neat little restaurant, worth visiting anytime — but most fun on these Sunday afternoons.

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere, Uncategorized by Skip | July 25, 2009 | Comments (0)

    The Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor

    The Magic Hedge folks would love your help!

    What is ithe Magic Hedge? Ah, you’ll have to go to earlier listings in this column to find out.

    David Painter is the major domo for this effort. His number appears below — call him for more information (like specifics on the location). « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | May 6, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Summer! and family fun!

    What better than a family outing that is educational and fun at the same time? The (almost) Chicago Botanic Garden has weekend classes through which adults and children can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, art, history, and culture.

    Each program includes a variety of hands-on activities and projects, as well as opportunities to bring the Garden home. Ages: Children ages 4 to 10 accompanied by adults (limit of three children per adult). Times: 9:30 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 2:30 p.m. Fees: $17 per child member, $20 per child nonmember.

    The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd. in
    Glencoe – (847) 835-5440 or www.Chicago-Botanic.org.

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | May 5, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Antiques you can taste!

    Ever wonder what apple pies tasted like 100 years ago? That was before designer products, crossbred for characteristics such as shelf life. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were over 7000 different varieties of apples. Now there are less then 2000 varieties available.

    It’s too late for this year, but next early in spring 2010 you can learn how to grow an antique apple tree or three in your own backyard, courtesy of Garfield Farm, that wonderful, old-time, working farm out in the burbs. On a Sunday in early March, the Garfield Farm folks are had their annual tree grafting seminar. « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | February 18, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Develop your storytelling

    Passing along on our stories to future generations involves practicing an age-old, sustainable skill. If you’re a story-teller or interested in story-telling, think about getting involved in the North Park Nature Center North Shore Storytelling Guild. They meet the third Wednesday of the month at the Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski.

    The evening begins by getting-acquainted at 7:30, with stories from 8 to 10 pm. Meetings are open to all, with no experience necessary, i.e., you can come to tell a story of just to listen. (It’s a down home gathering , not a performance). Stories include adult-themed material). Info: Mark Kater, 847-673-5786.

    The Nature Center is in the midst of a wonderful, natural area of Peterson Park — a place to enjoy the passing seasons, far away from the invisible city surrounding it. Any opportunity for a visit is worth the time, and what better excuse for a visit than to enjoy this ancient art?

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | September 5, 2008 | Comments (0)

    Azul de Noches

    If you missed the Latin Fest, here’s a taste of what you would have seen on the Jackson Stage — Azul de Noches, a band including percussion teacher Raul Fernandez and harp student David Kachalon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEJWZTOFfN0

    Hot stuff!

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere, Teacher gigs by Skip | August 15, 2008 | Comments (0)

    Go fishing…courtesy of the Chicago Public Library?

    « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | August 14, 2008 | Comments (0)


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