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)

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)

    Strange-looking device comes to OTS!

    It’s all over but the cheering! Armed with jugs, washboards, kazoos, and other musical weaponry, six jug bands of all sizes and descriptions clashed at the SECOND ANNUAL CHICAGO BATTLE OF THE JUG BANDS on Saturday, November 14th. Most important, the battlle trophy, a strange-looking sausage making thing has returned to Chicago. For the past year the trophy has been in Denver or one of those other cities out west of Galena. That’s where the leader of the Blue Ribbon Jug Band, last year’s winner, now resides.

    The winning band, Strictly Jug Nuts, was decided by audience vote, using ballots designed to replicate those in Chicago municipal elections. But, ironically, ballots were not made available for sale. Overseeing the election were Battle Election Comissioner Steve Bishop, wearing a handsome top hat, and Comptroller Marsha Gilden, having boned up her math skills and planning to add this credential to her resume. « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | November 14, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Chicago booklovers….

    Love Chicago? Love books? What about books on Chicago?

    Sharon Woodhouse, the nice lady who runs our favorite publication house, is having a series of holiday receptions — wine, cheese, cookies, books, and, she tells me, collectibles..as well as comraderie.

    She invites us to stop by the “new” Lake Claremont Press office (1026 W. Van Buren, Second Floor) for one of her four holiday receptions for refreshments and affordable holiday shopping.

    Wednesday, December 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
    Wednesday, December 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

    She’s one block one block from UIC-Halsted blue line station, one block from Morgan Street exit. There’s also free parking available in gravel lot at Van Buren & Morgan.

    Want to attend? RSVP:

    www.lakeclaremont.com
    lcp@lakeclaremont.com
    312/226-8400
    312/226-8420 (fx)

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | November 11, 2009 | Comments (0)

    YOUR audience is just a few steps away

    Want a chance to perform outside the Old Town School?

    Opportunity awaits, right across the street at the Mad Dog Tavern. Old Town teacher Scott Besaw runs an open mike every Wednesday night and will welcome you to show your stuff! There’s a signup list that he has out starting at 8; you get on the list, and then — depending on how many sign up — you’ll get your turn some time after the show starts, at 9 pm.

    If there’s ever a non-threatening performance opportunity, this is it. Scott is there and runs it in the Old Town School style, welcoming, friendly and supportive. And since the Bad Dog is largely patronized by Old Town School students and their friends, you’ll have a receptive setting for your performance. (It doesn’t hurt to bring some of your own friends, of course!)

    Hesitant to give this a try? You’re no different than most folks. But most people who do open mikes find out that they love the experience, and want to do it again. The best way to find out for yourself is….stop over some Wednesday, if only to listen!

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | October 5, 2009 | Comments (0)

    This January, go on the road with your teachers!

    During the last year our teachers have brought Old Town School style teaching, jamming, and celebration to Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Russia, and Mexico, Morocco, Quebec and Russia. Right now, during October, a teacher’s group is in India.

    The news: we’re planning of the School’s first foreign excursion that is open to everyone staff, students, and friends as well as teachers. WARNING: Stop reading now if there’s no way you can get away in January! « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | October 1, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Farmers Market & Music

    If you haven’t already done so, be sure to visit the Lincoln Square Farmers Market, held each Tuesday. (See earlier item)

    The Market features music organized by the School in cooperation with Alderman Schulter’s Office. Among the groups that have played are the Basket Cases, a jug band, Two for the Road and Friends, and Otisco, a group specializing in early country music. Music usually begins at 10 am and runs until 2 pm. Otisco is currently scheduled from 10-12 on July 28th and August 4th.

    We’re hoping to have Bellissima, an excellent classical ensemble, at one or more future markets. Need a classical group for top quality wedding music? Bellissima is, as the name suggests, a beautiful choice!

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | July 8, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Old Time Music Fans – an area website

    Paul Lucas thought Chicago area old-time musicians could use a website that provides a pointer to OTM stuff going on in Chicago. He notes that it’s not meant to replace other sites, like the Chicago Barn Dance Company site, but a place to provide other OTM related info and links to existing sites. The site is Old Time Chicago -> http://www.oldtimechicago.com « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | July 7, 2009 | Comments (0)

    Farmers Market – Lincoln Square!

    It’s fresh produce time in Chicago — including a Tuesday Farmers Market just north of the Old Town School next to the Western CTA stop!

    The first blossoming of the Lincoln Square Farmers Market was June 9th; weather permitting, the market will continue late into the fall. So now there’s something to anticipate on Tuesdays for those who have time during the day. The market has a range of stands, including fruits, vegetables, plants, quiche, muffins, cookies, and (mmmm!) pies. The market opens when the vendors are set up, from about 7 am to 2 pm. « Read more »

    Filed under: Interesting outside the Old Town School by Skip | June 9, 2009 | Comments (0)


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