Humboldt Folklife Society

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

HFS x rcmf

master classes

On October 3rd, in conjunction with the Redwood Coast Music Festival, the Folklife Society will be presenting three guitar master classes. 

*Jonathan Stout 11am-12:15pm
Class: Improvised Swing-Era Chord Solos
Covering the basic building blocks of improvised chord solos, as used by players like George Van Eps, Carl Kress, Dick McDonough, Carmen Mastren and Dave Barbour, as well as examining the "swashbuckling" style of Allan Reuss.  This will be a hands on session, please bring your guitar.

*Whit Smith from Hot Club of Cowtown 1230pm- 1:45pm
Class: Chordination
Making the most of three chords.  Learning voices and chord movements on the guitar with one of the masters of Western Swing.  This will be a hands on session, please bring your guitar.

*Elana James and Whit Smith from Hot Club of Cowtown 2:00pm- 3:15pm
Class: Technical Foundations & The Rhythm Pocket
Students explore how to construct a driving rhythm section using Whit Smith’s
acclaimed "Chordination" rhythm guitar curriculum. This pillar focuses heavily on closed
swing chord voicings, dynamic accents, and building a powerful acoustic foundation
with walking bass lines. String players learn how to outline complex chord progressions
while physically locking into the traditional Texas "pocket"—the driving, danceable
rhythmic pulse at the heart of the style. This will be a hands on session, please bring your guitar.

*Classes will be $25 public, $20 for Folklife members or ticket holders for Redwood Coast Music Festival (price per class)

*Classes will take place at the Club House in the Inn at 2nd and C between 11am and 3pm.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to class start time.

*Classes will be limited to 25 students, so prior registration is highly recommended.  

HFS Barn Dances

FRIDAYS AT ARCATA VET’S HALL:
9/4

10/23

11/13

12/4

HFS Old Time Jam

2026 membership drive

Become a member today!

Membership gives Folklife the funds to do great things. Members receive discounts on tickets for all HFS co-sponsored events as well as both summer festivals. Renew or join now and get access to pre-sale tickets for the Folklife and Buddy Brown Blues festivals two weeks before the general public, plus get a free Humboldt Folklife Society Mug!