Humboldt Folklife Society

We are Humboldt Folklife. We strive to support and celebrate local music and dance through festivals, dances, and workshops. 

Humboldt Folklife Society Folk School

Folk School Master Classes – October 5, 2024

Eureka Veteran’s Hall

1018 H St, Eureka, CA 95501

Humboldt Folklife Society is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Folk School weekend on October 5th and 6th. On Saturday the 5th, we are excited to partner with our friends at Redwood Coast Music to present master classes from performers at the festival. 

BLUES GUITAR Master Class - 10a

Jontavious Willis is a young Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter who performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues. The workshop will be on the blues in the key of D, standard and open tuning, covering the history of various artists who played in that key and tuning. Good for beginner through intermediate skill level. $30 per participant.

TWIN FIDDLE Master Class - 11:30a

Join fiddle champ Ridge Roberts of The Western Flyers and Sherry McKenzie for a dive into learning TWO Western Swing classics!  Songs will be taught by ear and recording is encouraged, standard notation handed out upon request. $15 per participant

WESTERN SWING RHYTHM GUITAR Master Class - 3:30p

Led by archtop guitar slinger Joey McKenzie of The Western Flyers. Hear the fundamentals Joey considers the most important to rhythm guitar and his 'most used chords' and incorporating these ideas into your playing. Recording is highly encouraged! $15 per participant

Workshops will be limited to 30 people.

Folk School FREE CLASSES – October 6, 2024

Workshops will be held at Mckinleyville Middle School, 2285 Central Ave, McKinleyville, CA 95519 and are all free. Please bring your own instrument. Sign up here!

12-1pm

A) Songwriting with Xeff Scolari -  “An introduction to songwriting, how to navigate the path from the creative spark to lyric and song, as well as methods to get unstuck from writer’s block”. Two hours.

B) Ukulele with C. Polimana Leilani Martinez –Focus on mastery of technique, confidence in performance and expressiveness of composition--and having as much fun as possible!

C) Learn to “Play” the Guitar with Patrick Cleary-“Get your guitar out of the closet and learn to have fun with it”

1:15-2:15p

A) Songwriting with Xeff Scolari (continued)- “An introduction to songwriting, how to navigate the path from the creative spark to lyric and song, as well as methods to get unstuck from writer’s block”. Two hours.

B) Introduction to Blues Guitar with Patrick Cleary and KC Bozanich- Learn the basics of blues guitar, a quick lesson about playing a simple blues song in the key of E, and some concepts to work on

C) Introduction to Drumming with Jesse Jonathan (materials provided)

2:30- 3:30p

A) Indian Raga’s and Rhythm’s with Rob Diggins- Intermediate Beginner and Beyond! Rob will teach the basic raga common to both the North and South Indian Music Traditions using some of the traditional methods and time cycles adapted to the traditional Western European violin tuning

B) Learning Tunes by Ear with Amanda Malachesky- Learn how to break down how to play a song you love without looking at music. This is a great class for any instrumentalist.

C) Banjo Workshop with Kurt Hippen- Getting the left hand and the right hand to work together in Clawhammer style

D) More Basic Blues Guitar with KC Bozanich- Learn the basics of blues guitar, a quick lesson about playing a simple blues song in the key of E, and some concepts to work on

3:45-4:45

A) Introduction and Practicum with Jazz Harmonies and Rhythms with Rob Diggins- Intermediate Beginner Beyond! Rob will encourage group jams on the basics of Major, Minor and Dominant Harmonies in all twelve keys, possibly some jazz blues, some modal stuff, and who knows what else will come up!

B) Moveable Mandolin chords with Amanda Malachesky- A set of basics that can be building blocks to becoming more proficient with your mandolin

C) Vocal Improvisation (circle songs) with Jesse Jonathan

D) Old Folk Standards on the Guitar with KC Bozanich - learn the chords, melody, and lyrics

Become a Humboldt Folk School Instructor

The Folklife Society is looking to expand our Folk School instructional offerings this year, and so we're seeking potential instructors for instruction in specific instruments, singing, instrument care, and other related ideas.  Classes will be offered at different dates across the year. Apply HERE!

2024 Songwriters in the round

Check out this awesome video by our friend Chad Johnson of this year’s Songwriters in the Round night from the Folklife Festival!