No one ever expected such a large and diverse mix of people to show up from across MA and beyond, causing attendance to swell to almost 1,500 people in its first year. Beginning herbal students, seasoned herbalists, local families, and individuals curious about this local, quirky event all mingled together, enjoying a day of classes, workshops, and plant walks.

In only its second year, Herbstalk has grown into a two-day event featuring beginner to advanced level classes, along with music, food, fun, children’s activities and vendors from across the Northeast.  The Goodtime Stringband is excited and proud to be a part of this event!

This coming Saturday there will be two Clawhammer Banjo Workshops followed by a concert at the Real School of Music in Andover, MA . The concert will be given by *Adam Hurt* and *Beth Williams Hartness*.

Where: The Real School of Music
3 Dundee Park Andover, MA 10801
978-475-1223

CONTINUING CLAWHAMMER BANJO 2pm to 4pm $50 Workshop participants will learn a few traditional tunes selected to convey broader ideas concerning technique, style, and aesthetics, concepts that can be put to use well beyond this case-study repertoire. Participants should be comfortable playing in the keys of D and A, using the appropriate old-time tunings for both keys, and need to have facility with the drop-thumb technique in order to get the most out of this workshop. All material will be taught by ear in the traditional manner, so the use of recording devices is highly recommended.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SANDY RIVER BELLE TUNING 4:30pm to 6:30pm $50 Advancing clawhammer banjo players will benefit from this workshop that explores a beautiful, user-friendly, versatile, and traditional alternate tuning for the key of G (gEADE). We will learn our way around the tuning via a selection of exercises and case-study tunes, and discuss effective ways of adapting previously-learned or yet-to-learn tunes to fit this wonderful setting. Workshop participants should have a good working knowledge of the basics of the clawhammer style, including the drop-thumb technique, and be comfortable playing in more than one tuning already. All material will be taught by ear in the traditional manner, so the use of recording devices is highly recommended.

An Evening Concert of American Roots Music with Adam Hurt and Beth Williams Hartness

When: Saturday May 11th at 7:30pm

Where: The Real School of Music, Andover

Tickets: $15

*Adam Hurt* and *Beth Williams Hartness* perform duets of traditional music from the Appalachian south and elsewhere with clawhammer banjo, fiddle, fingerstyle guitar, and vocals. Their engaging program will appeal to players and fans of old-time music as well as those who may be getting their very first taste of this captivating genre.

Deemed a “banjo virtuoso” by the Washington Post, *Adam Hurt* has fused several traditional old-time idioms to create his own elegantly innovative clawhammer banjo style, having been introduced to the instrument at age eleven in his native Minnesota. A respected performer and teacher of traditional music, Adam has played at the Kennedy Center and conducted banjo workshops at many venues around the country and abroad. Since moving to North Carolina in 2002, Adam has placed in or won most of the major old-time banjo competitions, and he has claimed several state banjo and fiddle championships. Adam’s music can be heard on multiple recordings.

Raised on a tobacco farm in Caswell County, North Carolina, *Beth Williams Hartness* began singing and taught herself to play the guitar at the age of twelve, influenced by her mother’s passion for early 1960s folk music. Beth was first introduced to old-time music in the 1980s while living in Charlotte, North Carolina, and during this time she was a founding member of the Charlotte Folk Music Society, serving as vice president and festival organizer. Beth has been a member of numerous award-winning string bands, and she has won ribbons of her own in competitions for back-up guitar.

Edie – what a talent. Props to my man Charles R. Humphrey III on the double bass.

More about the Old Time Jam at the Real School:

The first Thursday of each month is an old-time Gospel sing led by Jerry Dallal and Linda Henry. the rest of the monthly jams focus mainly on old-tome fiddle tunes from Southern Appalachia. The second Thursday is led by Don Borchelt and often accompanied by Ed Britt. The third Thursday is led by John Reddick (a super-nice guy!). The fourth Thursday is lead by Adrienne Howard and the fifth Thursday is led by Tim Rowell.

On any given night you might hear Soldiers Joy, Spotted Pony, Coleman’s March, Jeff Sturgeon, Hangman’s Reel, Julianne Johnson, Angel Band, Old Yeller Dog Came Trotting Through The Meeting House, Keep On The Sunny Side of Life, Flop Eared Mule and many more! Go check it out!

The Jam takes place each Thursday night from 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Cost $5.
Plenty of parking and handicapped accessible!

If you know this guy, please put him in touch! There’s an opening for him in the Goodtime Stringband!