Music workshops with Boulder Acoustic Society

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 16, 2009

Boulder Acoustic Society wowed the crowd who came to hear them one evening in Salisbury this past April.
They are returning next week for a longer visit, on Wednesday, July 22, a full day that will include members of BAS leading workshops in jazz history, fiddling and ukulele, capped off by an evening performance.
All workshops and performance are being held at Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., on the corner of North Lee and East Kerr Streets.
The workshop schedule is:
– 2 p.m.-History of Jazz ó This family friendly presentation takes you on a musical journey through America’s art: jazz. This exciting presentation connects hip hop, gospel, ragtime, blues and jazz with live performances. Audience will interact with Boulder Acoustic Society through movement, singing, group discussion and rhythmic activities that illuminate jazz history in a fun way.
Admission-$5 in advance or at door.
– 4 p.m.-All Things Fiddle ó Come join “Fiddler for Peace” Kailin Yong for a fiddle support group, where we learn some fiddle tunes from around the world and discuss everything fiddle. We will talk about different fiddle styles, left and right hand technique and anything else that you might be curious about. Bring your own instrument. All levels.
Cost-$5 in advance, $10 at the door.
At 5:30 p.m., there are two choices of workshops.
Ukuleles will be available to borrow on a “first reserved-first served” basis. Be sure to indicate if you need to borrow an instrument when you register.- 5:30 p.m.-Ukulele 101 ó For the true beginners.
Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
– 5:30 p.m.-Simple Songs for Uke ó Here’s a chance to learn some great simple songs that are outside of “normal” uke repertoire. Great for all levels.
Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
– 6:30 p.m.-Indie and Punk Ukulele Songs demonstration ó This simple instrument is perfect to accompany your “hipster” repertoire. The Decemberists, The Ramones, The Kinks, Elvis Costello…They all sound better on uke! Admission is free for this half hour demonstration..
Workshop sponsors are Rowan Blues and Jazz Society, High Strung Violins and Guitars of Durham and Looking Glass Artist Collective of Salisbury.
At 8:30 p.m., Boulder Acoustic Society will take the stage in the black box theater at Looking Glass. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
Those who pay $15 to attend three daytime workshops get a free ticket.
Advance tickets are available at: Looking Glass shop, 405 N. Lee St.; Tastebuds Coffee and Tea, 106 N. Main St.; or by contacting LGAC at salisburyartists@gmail.com or 704-245-2302.
Boulder Acoustic Society is:
Scott Aller: percussion, vocals. Scott left behind his drum kit to play a wooden box, a washboard and scrap metal with BAS. He’s also a music business visionary who holds the band together with his unique drum style. The mohawk makes him look tough, but he’s a softie.
Aaron Keim: bass ukulele, banjo, vocals. Aaron collects obscure folk songs and builds his own instruments. He plays Appalachian music on the banjo, ragtime on the ukulele and blues on steel guitar. And, oh yeah, he slaps the bass like it owes him money.
Scott McCormick: accordion, ukulele, piano, guitar, vocals. Scott found music in the gospel churches and the punk clubs of Chicago. He plays modern jazz on the piano, gritty folk punk on the guitar and he sings in Gaelic, too.
Kailin Yong: violin, ukulele, vocals. Kailin is from Singapore via Vienna, New York, San Francisco and Denver. He ventured beyond the classical world to play music for world peace. He can play a Bach partita, rock a Brazilian Choro, sing in Mandarin Chinese and play in quarter tone scales. He remembers everyone’s names. Test him!